“You know what else she wanted me to find?”
James tipped his head to one side. “What?”
“Well, with the help of my grandparents andyourloved ones too,” Camila added as more warmth filled her heart. “They wanted me to findyou.”
“Absolutely,” James agreed through a laugh of his own. He came in for another kiss.
This time, Camila pulled him in even closer. She’d learned something in all of her years in the culinary field—it was important to slow down and savor the taste of every meal. Food took time to harvest, prepare, and present, but it was well worth the wait.
Love seemed to be that way too. It was no easy feat finding the right one, so when it finally happened, when one finally had him in her arms with his mouth on hers, it was best to savor each sensation. And now, Camila looked forward to tasting all that a life with James had to offer.
Epilogue
“You nervous?” Duke hissed.
“Umm...” James sank a hand into his pocket and cupped the small, velvet box in his palm. His already speeding pulse revved hotter at the reminder of what he was about to do. “Yes. OfcourseI’m nervous. I just want it to go well, you know?” He tipped his head around the log-fashioned wall to see the happenings in the main floor of the cabin. It had been over six months since Camila had come to the life celebration gathering, where she met his family for the very first time.
Now, Betzy, Mom, and Camila were inseparable. He hadn’t expected Camila’s excitement for food to rub off on the two, but it had. Both Mom and Betzy had taken to preparing meals on a semi-regular basis.
Even now, as the three bustled around the kitchen, excited chatter and light laughter filled the cabin. Zander and Grandma Lo, seated in the nearby living area, were caught up in conversation with Matthew, Mom’s new boyfriend.
James’ gaze landed on Camila as she patted her hands on the apron she wore.So beautiful.
“I knew you were going to get married before the rest of us,” Duke said. “Lucky dog.”
The comment was enough to snap James from his musings. “Since when doyouwant to get married?”
Duke shrugged. “Since I’ve seen the way you guys worship the ground the other walks on. It’s time someone did that for me.”
James rolled his eyes. He knew Duke was kidding, about his reason for wanting to get married in the least. Most likely, he was joking about wanting to get married at all.
“So, when do you want to do this already?” Duke asked. “I have a feeling this is going to put the food on hold, and we can’t let that happen for long. It smells too good.”
Yes, it did smell good. But James wouldn’t have his appetite back until he finished what he’d set out to do. “Soon,” James answered. “Just waiting for Gypsy to come back in and give me the cue.” He shifted his gaze to the back entry, where Camila’s friend had snuck out to greet the florist.
Another bout of nervous energy fluttered through him. Suddenly, the distinct creak of the back screen door caught James’ attention. Gypsy appeared in the clearing and shot James a thumbs up.
The sight was a fan to the flames within him. “Oh, man. It’s time. Okay. You go down there with everyone, I’ll sneak out from the patio. Gypsy might need help getting everyone out there, so…”
Duke nodded. “I’ll help her.” The grin that pulled at his brother’s lips was a familiar one. And while it gave James pause, he couldn’t exactly think on it right then.
He nodded. “Okay. Perfect.” He nodded some more. “Thanks.”
Duke gave him a smack on the arm. “Good luck, man.” He surprised James by pulling him in for a hug then. “I’m proud of you,” he said. “Seriously, you’re my hero.”
The comment had James recalling Winston’s journal entry. The one that depicted him as a superhero, cape, gerbil sidekick, and all. James had shared those entries and sketches with his family at the celebration gathering, and boy, had they been a hit. Having waited a year to go through them hadn’t seemed so bad after all. In a way, it was like hearing from Winston one last time.
James shifted his mind back to the matter at hand as he hurried back into the suite and onto the balcony. A set of wooden steps took him to ground level, where the flowers had, indeed, been placed to perfection.
It was beautiful. Just what Camila deserved for special moment in her life. And hopefully, she’d recognize the gesture and know what James aimed to accomplish: representing the family who weren’t able to be there. He stepped into place, tucked a hand into his pocket once more, and waited for the group to come. More than ever before, today felt like the first day of the rest of his life. The life he’d been meant to live all along.
* * *
Camila ran a quick gaze over the plates before her.
“Do they look right?” Betzy asked. “Because I don’t think mine look as pretty as yours. What am I doing wrong?”
“I think mine look just right,” Claudia said. She nudged Camila. “Don’t you agree?”
