“It is.”
I press a finger against his lips. “Listen! Our relationship is probably almost never going to be date nights and weekends away and long lunches. It’s going to be you stopping over for pizza with me and my kid and maybe not even getting a goodnight kiss, because I can’t get her to just stay in bed and we both have early mornings. It’s going to be twenty minutes on my lunch break and probably some awkward moments that involve my ex-husband and my extended family. It’s highly likely you’ll catch the stomach bug from me one day or plan a wonderful date for us that I have to leave early and—”
“I want that,” he says. “I want all of that.”
“I’m not sure you really understand what you’re saying—”
“Enough already,” Ellery says. “He says he wants you, and you want him. Just kiss and figure out the rest as you go.”
Deacon and I turn our heads to see Ellery standing between the kitchen and the living room, holding an ice pack on her head, and unabashedly watching us and listening to every word.
“Take the damn leap, Amelia,” Ellery says. “Let the people who love you catch you.”
“This is a prime example of what I was trying to explain to you,” I say, turning back to Deacon.
Deacon grins down at me and, without looking away, says, “Ellery, nothing personal, but please get the hell out.”
“Okay,” Ellery says cheerfully. “We can have lunch another time.”
She’s gone, closing the door behind her, before I can answer.
“I want it all,” Deacon says. “The chaos and the awkwardness and the inconvenient interruptions. I even want the stomach bug. As long as I have you, everything else will be worth it.”
“Are you sure? The stomach bug is nothing to sneeze at and—”
Thankfully, he kisses me before I can convince him to do the reasonable thing and walk away.
EPILOGUE
Deacon
“Dessert?” Harper asks from her spot on my lap, her blond curls brushing my chin.
“Soon,” I say to the little girl who has absolutely stolen my heart.
She lies back against my chest, worn out from a day of sledding in a big January snowfall and a huge family dinner at Levi’s house.
“She’s so ready for bed,” Amelia says, leaning in close and brushing her curls out of her face. “If we wait much longer, it’s going to be hell getting her to sleep.”
Which means it’ll be that much longer before Amelia and I can be alone in bed. I’ve only recently started sleeping over at Amelia’s house on the regular. I sneak out before Harper’s up most mornings, but it’s getting harder and harder to leave.
Amelia doesn’t want us to move in together until we’re married, and I’m still living at Levi’s house. I told Amelia it’s so I can save money for my own house.
What I haven’t told her yet is that I’ve already found it. My brothers are going to help me renovate it when they can, but it might take a little while for it to be livable.
I don’t want to tell her until it’s perfect. If she hates it, I’ll sell it, but I have a good feeling about this place.
“I’ll sneak into the kitchen and get dessert to go.”
I start to pass Harper over to Amelia, but stop when Sebastian speaks over the various conversations going on at the table. Family dinner has gotten pretty big lately and now includesGentry and her sisters, as well as my brothers. Tonight, even Millie joined us.
She’s been working for us since November and is doing an amazing job, but she's still shy around us. Especially around Cash, who does his best to avoid her at all times.
“Cash,” Sebastian says again, “and Millie. I’d like you to take a trip to Aspen Cove—”
“No business at the table,” Levi shouts over Sebastian.
Seb glares at our brother. “This isn’t business, mostly, it’s family. Cash doesn’t have current projects, so he’s the best choice to help Mom and Dad get the house ready and make sure the realtor lists it for the right price.”
