I set Ember down. She immediately starts sniffing around the base of the tree.
“The cabin’s yours.” My words come out rough. “Congratulations.”
She takes my hand. “I didn’t want to win this way.”
I meet her eyes, full of emotion. “What do you mean?”
“I didn’t want the cabin if that meant losing you.” Her voice cracks. “That’s not winning. Not to me.”
I motion toward the cabin, a lump forming in my throat. “What about your business? Your dreams?”
We’re both sniffling.
“The cabin is every bit yours as it is mine. Your love paints every single wall. I wouldn’t feel right living there without you in it.” She squeezes my hand. “Stay. We’ll figure out the rest.”
“Charlotte. I crossed the property line. It’s done.”
“I don’t care.” She lets out a sharp breath. “We’ll fight it. Hire lawyers. Contest the clause. Whatever it takes, Kez. Just stay. Please.”
I try to process what she’s saying. I don’t think I can.
She steps closer, her jaw wobbles. “Stay.” Vulnerability covers her face. Raw, open and terrified.
One word. I realize that she’s asking again. Just like she tried years ago, and I ran, thinking I knew what was best for her and me. I was an idiot. The woman I love is asking me to stay and not only fight for the cabin, but for us.
The wind picks up for a few seconds, then dies down. Snow catches in her hair and on her eyelashes.
“Charlotte, we may have dated for almost three years, but I’ve loved you my entire life. I never wanted to leave then,” I say, peering into her beautiful eyes. “And I’m not leaving now. I promise.” I rest my forehead against hers. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me.
Her lips are cold against mine, but her mouth is warm. She tastes like sugar cookies and salt from tears. I pour everything into our kiss. All the years apart. The fear of losing her again. The endless love I have in my heart right now. Our second chance.
Ember barks.
We break apart, laughing and crying at the same time.
Charlotte looks down at Ember, who’s staring up at us. “Excuse you. We’re having a moment here.”
Ember barks again and sits. Perfect form.
“Good girl,” I say, my voice wrecked.
Charlotte’s still holding onto my jacket.
I plant a kiss on her lips again, taking in the winter wonderland around us. I didn’t plan any of this. Not a cabin clause that forced us back together. Certainly not chaotic corgi who turned my life upside down. We make a great team. And I definitely didnotplan onfalling madly in love with Charlotte Harrington all over again.
Sometimes the most unexpected things turn out to be the most beautiful. When I examine my life, I see that now. WithCharlotte’s hand in mine, Ember at our feet, our home waits for us with love and warmth and the promise of figuring it all out together.
I kiss Charlotte again, smiling against her lips. I turn us toward the cabin. “Let’s go home.”
EPILOGUE
KEZ
One YearLater
“Who’s ready for Christmas presents?!” I announce and on cue, Ember zooms into the room and tackles Charlotte and me sitting by the tree. It’s Christmas morning, and we’re in our pajamas drinking hot chocolate. Ember’s wearing her K-9 Christmas sweater the department gave her when we were presented with the Distinguished Service Award last month.
