Aidan leaned his forehead against Jackie’s. “That sounds like a great way to build your business.”
“I hope so. But most of all, it’s a good way to spend more time with you. In the meantime, I have another idea you might like.”
With a gentleness that made his breath catch, Jackie pulled him into her arms. Their lips met in a sweet, tender kiss, sealing their commitment to each other. It was a kiss that held all the promises of a future filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities. Aidan knew there’d still be challenges in their lives, but they were ready to face them together.
CHAPTER22
Five Months Later…
Jackie was sittingon her front porch, waiting for Aidan to take her to dinner at The Starlight Café. The last few months had gone by so quickly she couldn’t believe it was almost summer.
After Mabel’s choir won the Christmas Carol Competition, they’d sung at many community events. Everyone was thrilled, especially when they performed at the Christmas market and at the church on Christmas Day.
Aidan was enjoying working from Manhattan and Sapphire Bay. He jokingly told her he had the best of both worlds—great coffee from Starbucks and his favorite fudge from Sweet Treats. Jackie was just happy that everything was working out. She’d even managed to have one or two long weekends in New York City with him.
She smiled as she looked across her garden. The time between spring and summer was one of her favorites. The mornings were full of sunshine and perfect for walking around the lake or doing a little gardening. Flowers, heavy with buds, were waiting for the right time to bloom. It was a time of growth and expectation, the beginning of the most colorful time of the year.
A black pickup truck stopped in her driveway. Aidan didn’t have a budget in mind when he bought his new truck. There wasn’t one high-tech gadget the vehicle didn’t have. He’d told her he wanted them to be safe. What he really meant was that he liked the 3D holographic images that appeared on the windshield when he was driving.
“I thought I’d be late,” Aidan said with a smile. “The meeting with Levi was amazing. He has some great ideas for transforming my house. He’ll draw up some concept plans and price each option to give me an idea of what we can do.”
“I can’t wait to see them. Your home has so much potential.” The property Aidan had bought was on the outskirts of town. Surrounded by ten acres of gorgeous land, the two-story ranch house was still in its original 1950s condition. But, with some tender loving care and a great imagination, it could be amazing.
Aidan held open the passenger door for her. “Have you spoken to Andrea today? I was wondering how she feels about opening her café for dinner.”
“I tried calling her, but she must’ve been busy. Opening the café one night a week is a great idea, especially now that the weather’s more settled. It’s amazing how many people enjoy going for an evening stroll through town.”
As they passed other homes and businesses, Jackie felt even more connected to the small community she now called home. And, since meeting Aidan, she couldn’t have been happier. Even the visit her mom had made at Christmas wasn’t as difficult as she’d imagined. They’d spent two days together without either of them feeling frustrated.
“Here we are,” Aidan said as he pulled into a parking space.
Jackie frowned. “The café should be open by now. I hope nothing’s happened to Andrea.” She unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped onto the sidewalk. David would’ve called them if something had happened to his wife. There was only one other explanation for the closed sign on the door. “Did we get the right Friday night? Maybe the café doesn’t open until next week?”
Aidan wrapped his arm around her waist and nudged her forward. “This is the right evening. A few lights are on, so maybe Andrea’s opening a little later tonight?”
They stopped in front of the door and Aidan tried the handle. When it opened, Jackie was even more confused. A table in the center of the room was covered with a white lace tablecloth, sparkling cutlery, and a flickering candle in the middle of a beautiful floral arrangement. The lights they’d seen from outside were from some pretty fairy lights strung across the ceiling.
Jackie’s frown deepened when some music started playing softly in the background. “It’s not either of our birthdays. Have I forgotten a special anniversary?”
Aidan shook his head. “Not yet, but one day it could be.”
Jackie had no idea what he meant. “Maybe we should tell Andrea we’re here.”
“We can tell her soon. But, before we do, I’d like to ask you something.”
Jackie’s heart pounded. Aidan couldn’t mean what she thought he did. Getting married was a big deal. Bigger than anything that’d ever happened in her life. Holding her hand, he led her into the center of the room.
“Why are we here?” she whispered.
Aidan cleared his throat and looked nervously at her. “I tried to remember when I started falling in love with you. It was here, in The Starlight Café, when you asked if I wanted to have a drink of hot chocolate with you and Andrea. From that first conversation, I knew there was something special about you, but I didn’t realize how quickly I’d fall in love with you.”
Tears filled Jackie’s eyes. There was such sincerity, kindness, and love shining from Aidan’s face that she couldn’t speak.
He took a deep breath and held her hands. “I’d like to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake up beside you every morning, share our dreams, and grow old together. I love you more than I can put into words.”
“Oh, Aidan,” she said softly. “I love you, too. You’re the most incredible man I’ve ever met.”
A tender smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I’m glad you said that.” Before she knew what he was doing, he took a small blue box out of his pocket and lowered himself to one knee. “Jackie West, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
