He dropped his forehead to hers. “I don’t want leaving to be an option for either of us.”
She nodded against him. “Me neither.”
“So let’s take it off the table. What else do you want to go?”
“Don’t ever drive away from me again.”
“I won’t.”
“And always, always kiss me. I want kisses all the time.”
He grinned. “I can do that.”
“You’d better.” She leaned against him. “Or I will take half this house.”
He laughed. “I’m giving it to you anyway. Consider it a belated wedding gift.”
“Cash,” she whispered. “I don’t have one for you.”
“All I need is this.” He dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers. She tasted salty from her tears and sugary because that was just her. “I love you, Maggie,” he said as he moved to kiss her jaw and then her neck.
“I love you, too.”
He paused. “Marry me? Again.” His words were muffled against her skin, and she held her breath. He pulled back. “I know a preacher …”
She laughed. “Yes.”
He picked her up and spun her around before setting her on the counter and kissing her the way he should have from the very beginning—like he had eternity to do it right.
Epilogue
1 year later
“It’s a good turnout this year.” Cash looked around the church lawn at all the people from the congregation who had gathered to celebrate the first week of summer. “Almost double what was here last year.”
Seth smiled. “They’re here for more of Maggie’s cooking.”
“Stop.” Maggie placed a bowl of Italian noodle salad on the buffet table. Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink, and Cash couldn’t help himself—he had to kiss her.
When he did, he pulled back to find Evie grinning at the two of them. “Look at you two. Who would have thought an ad in The Matchmakerwould lead to all this?” She circled her hand, indicating the two of them.
Maggie stiffened. “How did you hear about that?”
Cash rubbed her shoulders. She had a tender spot when it came to their reconnect story because of the trouble it’d caused with Jennifer. Not that there was any problem there now. The two were thick as thieves.
Evie laughed. “Who says I was talking about you?” She kissed Seth’s cheek and then winked.
Maggie’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding!”
Seth chuckled. “Nope.”
Maggie turned to Cash.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Actually, it was his idea.” He hooked a thumb at the preacher.
Maggie burst out laughing. “I never would have thought.”
“Maggie!” Mrs. Kindle called. She waved her hand in the air. They all turned to see her bustling through the crowd. “Will you sign my book?” She thrust a copy ofHomestead Cookingat Maggie. “I simply love your twice-baked mashed potato recipe. I make it every Sunday now.”
