The small town cheered. The group of teens behind them gave out sharp whistles and loud whoops. The Benton family joined along like they were one of the townsfolk. And there was Michael, weaving through them with a tray of hot cocoa in foam cups. Steam rose through melting marshmallows piled high on each.
“Here you go, Burke. Justine,” Michael said proudly as he handed them each a warm foam cup until only one remained.
“Thank you,” they said in turn.
Michael gripped the final cup with a grin and lifted it toward the pair. “Cheers to our growing family,” the man said.
Warmth stirred in Burke’s heart. This was the man Claudia had fallen for after Jonathon died. The thought made him smile.
“Cheers,” Burke said.
Justine bumped her cup to theirs as well. “Cheers.”
“Let’s count it down, everyone,” Trevor bellowed. “Ten!”
“Nine!” This time the crowd joined them.
“Eight!”
“Seven,” Michael boomed after taking a sip. “Six…” His enthusiasm made Burke grin. It almost quelled the anxious energy within him, but not quite.
Still, as he heard Justine join the countdown, Burke forced himself to do the same.
“Three. Two. One!”
At once, the tree came alive with a bright, beautiful glow. The town square did too, lighting up wreaths and garlands wrapped around streetlights and corner signs. Despite the upset brewing in Burke’s gut, a wave of warmth and calm washed through him as he took in the glowing display.
He wrapped an arm around Justine, pulled her closely against him, and pressed a kiss to her head. A little while longer to go, and the night would be through. Maybe there was nothing to worry about after all.
“It’s beautiful.” Justine grinned up at him. “Maybe we were worrying over nothing.”
Burke nodded and sighed. “Maybe.” He brought the cup to his lips, watching as Justine did the same, and sipped past the sweet mass of marshmallows. “Mmm.”
Justine pressed up on her toes and brought her mouth to his in a slow, sweetly flavored kiss. “Mmm,” she echoed.
Heat stirred low in his belly as he came in for another kiss.
His shoulders went lax. His limbs loosened as well. They really were in the clear, for now anyway. To ensure that was true, Burke should probably tell Justine about the property while they danced. He couldn’t very well have Brittany beat him to it.
She’d be upset about the property either way, but it would be much worse for someone else to tell her before he did.
Yes, he decided, he’d tell her while they danced. Maybe not their first one, since he wouldn’t want to spoil the moment, but right after that. And who knew, perhaps next year, when he and Justine conducted the event as retiring royalty, they would look back on this day and laugh about it all.
“With the first matter of business underway,” Trevor said as the crowd began to quiet. “Let’s have everybody clear the dance area of our town square. That is, everyone except for our new pie prince and princess.”
“Go get ‘em, tiger,” Duke bellowed.
During similar events in Manhattan, there would likely be fireworks shooting off over the water. No need for that here, since Burke was positive there was a round firing off inside his chest. A cycle of heated explosions that made his stomach sick.
“You two will be great,” Betzy assured, giving Burke’s arm a gentle squeeze. “Oh, here…I’ll take your hot chocolates so you can dance.”
“Good idea,” Burke realized, handing his over to her.
“Thanks,” Justine said as she did the same.
“Make us proud.” That last comment came from Lorraine.
Burke grinned and gave her a smile, inwardly hoping he’d do that very thing in the years ahead—make his beautiful grandmother proud.
