“I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been, getting the news of her relapse when you were so far away and you’d been planning the trip for so long,” Felix says softly.
I sigh. “MS can be unpredictable and we’re just lucky Mom’s doing so well now. That’s the main thing.”
“Of course,” Felix says. “And you’ll have plenty of other opportunities to travel, to see the world together.”
I squeeze Greg’s hand. Felix is right—there’ll be opportunities to travel in the future, but our plans have changed. Greg throws asmile my way and I know he’s thinking the same thing I am. We now have bigger plans.Better plans.
Fiona interrupts to take our orders and we talk about travel bucket list destinations until our meals are delivered then the conversation turns back to Felix’s retreats. As he continues to share his plans, I watch the love and adoration that passes between him and Kit and reflect on the challenges Greg and I have faced in our own relationship.
Then the memories of Greg’s accident flood my mind, as they always do when I think back on the journey we’ve taken. I reach for his hand under the table, comforted by his warm grip and the gentle smile he sends my way.
God!That was the worst time of my life. The fear and uncertainty that gripped me as I sat by his hospital bed, praying for his recovery. Those long months of rehabilitation, the financial strain of running the coffee shop alone while caring for my mother, it all comes rushing back. But as I look at Greg now, his hand still clasped in mine, I know that every struggle, every obstacle we’ve overcome, has only served to strengthen our bond. Our love has been tested time and time again, and yet, here we are, still dreaming of the future we’ll build together.
“How about a toast?” I propose, lifting my glass. “To a thriving business. Here’s to Sweetwater Retreat.”
“Speaking of success,” Felix says as we all touch glasses, “how’s the house coming along? I still can’t believe you guys took on the cottage. It’s a lot of work, and I’ve got to be honest, neither of you has a lot of renovating experience.”
I chuckle. “We’re not going to let a cottage renovation defeat us. It’s a fun adventure to do it ourselves—”
“Not to mention we can’t afford to pay for professionals,” Greg says, always the voice of reason, then he chuckles.
“Like I said, it’sfundoing it ourselves,” I say. “Did you know how much information is available on YouTube? Everythingfrom replacing dry wall to installing windows to sanding floorboards. And lucky for me, this guy is amazing. Greg’s doing so much himself while I’m working at CC’s.”
“One of the advantages of working from home,” Greg says, taking a sip of his drink. He meets my eyes with a warmth that never fails to make my heart skip a beat.
My throat tightens with emotion. “I’m lucky to have you.”
Greg sets his drink down. “Right back at ya, babe.”
My cheeks heat and I glance down, lifting my fork and focusing on my Fettucine Amatriciana, but there’s a smile on my face.
“Hey, did you hear about the latest stunt Jordan Ellis got up to?” Felix says, changing the subject. “He left a naked gnome—averywell-endowed naked gnome—in Geraldine’s front yard.”
“Really?” Greg says. “But why does that not surprise me?”
“Probably because that’s pretty tame compared to some of the stuff he’s gotten up to in the past,” I say, chuckling.
“That’s not all,” Felix says with a snicker. “She didn’t notice the gnome for weeks and finally only noticed it when Barky lifted his leg and peed on the damn thing.”
“Oh my God. I wish I’d seen that.” I can just imagine the look of horror on poor Geraldine’s face.
“They’re looking for a new town Santa this year,” Felix changes the topic again. “I was thinking of nominating Kit.”
Kit’s eyebrows hit his hairline and he puts his knife and fork down. “You do that, and I’ll nominate you to be my helper. I can just picture you in candy-cane striped leggings.”
“Oh God, no.” Felix says with a look of horror. “Okay, okay, not another mention of Santa, I promise.”
“You know, I’m really looking forward to the holiday season this year,” I say. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.
“Me too,” Kit says, his eyes lighting up. “I had an amazing time last Christmas with Felix’s family, but didn’t get to see everything the town has on offer. I can’t wait for the Christmas tree lighting this year.”
“You’ll love it,” I say. “There’s something special about the way the whole town comes together, the joy and the laughter… it’s magical.”
Greg nods, a soft smile playing on his lips. “It’s one of my favorite things about living here. The sense of community. It’s like one big family.”
Felix grins, leaning back in his chair. “And the food! Don’t forget about Mae’s famous Christmas cake, and that peppermint coffee drink at CC’s. I swear, I gain five pounds every December.”
Laughter ripples around the table. I can already picture it—the twinkling lights, the scent of pine and cinnamon in the air, the kid’s faces glowing with wonder at everything Christmas. The wonderful times I’m going to spend with Greg. It’s a reminder of all the good in the world.
