She nodded. “I couldn’t wait. Want to see?”
“You know I do.”
Jess
I led the way to an empty table at the corner of the festival, which I had to admit was a roaring success. Not that I’d expect it to be any different. Preston was passionate about the outdoors and the trails. When I suggested that maybe he could help other people discover the beauties of being outdoors while also showing them how accessible they could be, he jumped all over the idea, and pretty soon the idea for the Timber Creek Trail Fest was born.
But that wasn’t the only thing we’d been hard at work on over the last few months, and I couldn’t wait to show him the preliminary results of some of that work.
“I think you’re going to be pleased.” I slowly unrolled the paper across the table.
“Everything you do pleases me, Dots.” He winked at the use of the stupid nickname that I was no longer irritated by. I actually thought it was cute, but I still liked to pretend it pissedme off. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the plans I’d anchored with a few rocks to keep them down.
The updated proposal.
Therealproposal.
I’d spent months working with council and members of the community and learning everything I could about property development. After Trevor’s scare tactics, I’d been so worried about the investors pulling out of the project completely. And they had. But then, almost every single one had happily reinvested inmyproject. Trevor had been right about one thing: the investors did love the small-town angle. Only, as it turned out, they all appreciated transparency instead of the underhanded techniques Trevor had been trying to use.
Regardless, the funding was secure. I’d done it.
Well, mostly.
We still had a lot of hurdles to jump through, but this was the first real start.
We were one step closer to affordable housing that made sense and worked for our town, and with the land instead of taking advantage of it. All trails were left intact, the animal corridors were safe, and most importantly, it was a plan that was going to help a lot of people find housing in the town they loved. And on a personal level, my parents’ retirement was safe.
“This is what we’re moving forward with,” I said, unable to keep the pride from my voice. “The council signed off officially this morning.”
Preston studied the papers longer than necessary. I knew that look. He could see it. Not just the vision, but what it would look like when it was done.
“You did it,” he said quietly.
“Not yet. We still have?—”
“No.” He stopped me. “This is going to happen, Jess. You did it.”
Love surged through me for this man and his unending, totally unwavering support and belief in me. “Wedid it.” I reached for him. “Together.”
Around us, the day kept moving. Someone laughed near the snack table. Kids chased each other around, weaving through the crowd with their bags of popcorn and trail mix.
The teen volunteers were doing an amazing job of running the festival. A true testament to Preston and his leadership. The love he had for the trails oozed out into those kids, making a real difference.
Summit, who’d tripled in size, stretched out at Preston’s feet, his tail thumping lazily whenever someone walked by.
It wasn’t the future I’d pictured only a few months ago when it felt like everything was slipping through my fingers.
It was so much better.
I slipped my hand into Preston’s, the way I always did now, without thinking. It was so easy with him. Like we’d been together all these years instead of being ridiculous rivals.
He laced his fingers through mine and squeezed, pulling me close.
Preston leaned down, his mouth brushing my ear. “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”
“Not yet.”
“My bad.” He spun me so we were chest to chest. “Because you look absolutely phenomenal.” He lifted a finger to trace the freckles on my cheeks and nose. “I love your freckles.” He pressed his lips to mine. “And you, of course.”
