“And…” he tilted his head down so that they might meet eye to eye, “the candy worked, huh? You forgive me for being a total, assuming jerk?”
“You gave me gas station candy, Lake. Of course, I forgive you.”
He sighed, a genuine look of relief crossing his face. “I’m sorry, Peaches.”
She lifted her eyebrow playfully.
“I’m sorry, Peanut?”
Georgia rolled her eyes and huffed her annoyance.
Conceding defeat, Lake pulled her into an earnest hug, sincerity marking his words. “I’m truly sorry, Georgia. I shouldn’t have made those assumptions, and I shouldn’t have attacked you with them without some sort of warning first. We… weren’t there yet… and…”
Georgia allowed herself three perfectly warm, contented beats embraced in Lake’s hug before she pulled away and took a step back. “No, actually, you… You were right, Lake.”
“Wait, what? I was?”
She bit back a smile. “Yes, pay attention.”
“I was right,” Lake whispered to himself with a hint of a smile on his own lips.
She twisted her hair again and admitted everything she’d discussed with Caroline and a surprisingly wise Sadie earlier that day.
“You were right.” She rolled her eyes but smiled coyly with the admission. “Ihavebeen serving out of obligation. I’ve been…”
When she hesitated, Lake reached out as if he’d take her hand in his but seemed to decide against it and, instead, pulled her wrist towards him, leading them both to the couch together.
Once settled, she continued, “The truth is, you told me exactly what I’ve needed to hear for a while now, but I just didn’t want to listen. I do miss marketing and my life before coming back here. I’ve been working so hard, hoping and praying that it might mean something in the grand scheme of things. Like… Like maybe God would bless us or, I don’t know…”
She felt the embarrassment of her own incorrect assumptions and her lack of trust in her Savior, but Lake listened to her with nothing but understanding.
“I’ve been working like it would earn favor in God’s eyes. Just like you said. So, I do miss marketing, but I also really enjoy working at Good Start and being a help to my family. I think maybe I could do both… for now anyway.”
As the sun cast the room in warm hues of a December evening, Georgia laid out her plans with Lana Peters and her tentative position as the Marketing Director for the Best in Snow Show. Her excitement with the possibilities, and Lake’s gaze fixed on her with his undivided attention, filled her with the memory of another night when he’d let her dream aloud and made her feel as if it could all come to fruition.
At some point, Manning found his way into the room and rested his head on Georgia’s bouncing leg, giving little care to the way his head followed her rapid movements. She absentmindedly scratched his ears and realized the room had gone quiet save for the sound of the dog’s panting breaths on her lap.
“You’ve charmed another Lovett.” Lake leaned in and gave the dog a loving pat on his side. “Seems my pet has better manners than yours does, though.” Lake looked down at the dog, then accusingly at Georgia.
“Gus is just misunderstood.”
“He’s a menace.”
“He’s an angel. He thought you’d protect him.”
“He’s an eighty pound cat, Peaches. He can protect himself.”
“But hechoseyou. It's an honor, really… But this guy…” She leaned down towards Manning’s happy face and snuggled him close. “He is the sweetest angel pup ever. Isn’t that right, Manning? Who’s the cutest Lovett boy? Is it you? Is it?”
“I’m gonna have to interject here… as the undisputed, best looking Lovett male.” Georgia looked up at the sun room entrance, completely unaware that someone had entered, and found Griffin, Lake’s oldest brother—shining in all his Lovett glory—staring back at her. His perfect dimples peeked just above a barely-there beard and light brown, effortlessly quaffed hair made him look like he could model the shirt on his back. He had the trademark Lovett look, but his eyes were a darker, less vibrant hue compared to Lake’s bright, sky blue eyes.
Georgia jumped up from her seat to greet him. “Griffin. Hi! I didn’t know you’d be here tonight?” She gave him a warm hug and pulled away to look at him. Griffin kept his arms around Georgia’s waist, keeping her close and doing the same.
“I didn’t knowyou’dbe here, Georgia Remillard.” He gave her a wink and squeezed her sides flirtatiously. “You look more beautiful than ever.” He gestured to Lake, who was still standing behind her. “If my brother doesn’t get a clue one of these days, I’m gonna sweep you up myself and take you back to Utah with me.”
Georgia flustered a bit and then rolled her eyes. Griffin had always been the most charismatic, and the most flirtatious, of all the Lovett boys. Now, even as a single dad, it didn’t seem parenthood had tamed Griffin much at all. “I don’t think you could handle a Remillard girl, Griff,” she teased.
Ignoring Lake’s grimace, Griffin pulled Georgia to his side and playfully wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Oh, I think you’d be surprised. Now,” he dragged her out of the sun room and into the kitchen, “you be our eye candy for the night, catch me up on your life and family, and Mama will fill you up with her famous chili and pie.” He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, “And maybe we can drive Lake a little crazy in the process.” Griffin kissed Georgia’s cheek affectionately, like an older brother would a sister, before releasing her and placing her in a seat at the well-loved kitchen table.
