“Yeah.” How had he known? “I realize that sounds weird.”
“Not weird at all.” Mitch pulled her closer, hugging her body to his. “I’m sure he’s watching over you every day, Faith. And I know without a doubt he’s proud of what he sees.”
She fought back the tears with a shallow sniff. “If he were actually here, he would have been leading this entire effort. That’s just who he was.”
“And it’s who you are,” Mitch emphasized. “I’m proud to know you, Faith. Even more honored to get to share this dance with you, this evening. Share this exact moment.”
Her eyes lifted to his. “And what about more?”
“More?” Mitch tilted his head.
“What about us? What about sharing more than just this moment?”
“If you’re asking if I’m ready for a relationship with you,” he started to say, making Faith instantly question why she’d decided to bring this up right now. Things were going so well, so smoothly.
“It’s okay if—” she stammered.
“I’m absolutely ready to take that next step,” he finished, intentionally talking over her to silence any sort of protest.
“You are?”
“Of course, I am.” He said it so confidently it made her heart squeeze. “I would be crazy to let a woman like you go, Faith. I’m a lot of things: determined, rigid, and sometimes even obstinate, but I’m not crazy.”
She couldn’t say she disagreed. “So, this makes you my boyfriend?”
“And you my girlfriend,” he answered without hesitation, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Faith had to laugh. She had never expected the irritating man from across the landing to be someone she would want to dance with, let alone date. But then again, life was full of delightful surprises lately.
As she settled into his arms and their new reality, Faith found herself content for the first time in years. This was her happy place. Mitch, her community, and the love that emanated fromevery corner filled her with more joy than a perfectly decorated cake, and that was saying a lot.
“Hey.” Mitch nudged his chin toward the edge of the dance floor. “You see those two over there?”
Turning her head, Faith glimpsed the cutest little couple awkwardly dancing with their elbows locked and about two feet of space between them. The young girl had a fluffy pink dress Faith’s sister, Cadee, would absolutely die for, and the boy looked polished and proper in the tiniest fitted gray suit.
“Those are kids from the class I spoke to the other day,” Mitch said as they danced their way closer to the duo. “Remember Zachary?”
“How could I forget. The one that gave you a hard time, right?”
Mitch nodded with a chuckle. “The very one. Looks like there’s someone for everyone, huh?”
Faith wholeheartedly believed that. As the music played, she reveled in the moment, knowing she had finally found her someone and that their journey was just beginning. Life in Snowdrift had its challenges, but it also had moments like these filled with love, camaraderie, and the promise of a sweet tomorrow. And Faith wouldn’t have it any other way.
CHAPTER 23
The Golden State Gazette
A Sweetheart Soiree Switch
by Anthony McCullen
Just east of Sacramento, past the rolling foothills where the golden hues of California transition into evergreen pines, you’ll find a small town nestled like a cozy nook.
To travelers, it’s a gas station stop or a quick bite to eat, but to those that call Snowdrift Summit home, it’s a haven.
Here, words have different definitions. Stranger means future friend. Neighbor means family. And a challenge is an opportunity to come together for the greater good.
There are towns where the people living within them only share their zip code in common. They pass by one another on the street withoutso much as a wave or a greeting. They shut their doors and their blinds and go about their lives without the need for any real connection or community.
