She studies me for a moment, then nods slowly, understanding settling in her expression. "Yes, we are."
We sit together at the small table, steam rising between us. The quiet feels companionable, not awkward. When she speaks again, her voice is thoughtful.
"I should probably start figuring out logistics," she says. "When the road clears, I’ll need to get the wreaths back to Knoxville. In the meantime, my assistant will have to hold down the fort.”
I watch her as she talks, the way she thinks things through, practical and capable even after a night that changed something between us. It only makes my decision firmer.
"Merry," I say.
She looks up. "Yeah?"
"I don't want this to be a one-time thing."
Her breath stills. "Neither do I."
Good.But I don't stop there. As she said before, I only talk when I have something to say… and right now, I have a ton to say.
"I know you have a life down the mountain," I continue, choosing my words carefully. "A business. Responsibilities. People who count on you. I'd never ask you to give any of that up."
She waits, eyes steady, giving me space to finish.
"But I am asking you to build something with me," I say. "Here. If you want to."
Her brows knit slightly. "Build what?"
"A partnership," I say simply. "I make the wreaths. You sell them. We can go into business together.”
The words feel solid as they leave my mouth. Right. Like this is what I've been working toward without realizing it.
She frowns. “You want to be business partners?”
“Yes, but notjustbusiness partners. I don't do halfway," I say, holding her gaze. "I’m an all-or-nothing kind of guy.” I sigh, realizing that this is coming out all wrong. “I’m just saying that I think we’re so right together that even our work lives align.”
She's quiet for a long moment, turning her mug slowly in her hands. I don't rush her. This matters too much for that. Outside, a branch sheds its snow load with a soft whoosh.
Finally, she looks up, a smile spreading slow and sure across her face. "I didn't come up here looking for forever. I just wanted some beautiful wreaths. But I guess I found both.”
Relief hits me hard enough I have to exhale slowly.
I reach across the table and take her hand, lacing our fingers together. It feels so natural. "We'll figure out the details. How often you need to be down in Knoxville. How we coordinate orders. All of it."
"I have good people at the shop," she says thoughtfully. "My assistant is more than capable of handling the day-to-day. And honestly… I've been feeling stretched thin for a while now. Like I'm running but not getting anywhere."
"And here?"
"Here feels different." She squeezes my hand. "Here feels like I can breathe. Maybe Merry & Bright needs a new location in Mercury Ridge."
“My mother will be pleased,” I say.
She raises an eyebrow. “You mother?”
I chuckle. “I think she had something like this in mind when she sent you up here.”
Merry’s mouth falls open. “You mean… the woman at the mercantile isyour mother?”
With a laugh, I fold Merry into my arms. The storm is over. The road will clear. But our story is just getting started.
Chapter 7
