"The mountain people."
"Yes. And because they've owned businesses and land for generations, they’re extremely wealthy. I have a trust fund that pays me monthly instead of a salary. It’s practically like winning the lottery, being born into the right family, don't you think?"
Bailey stares deeply into my eyes for a full minute, breathing deeply, calmly, as if she's counting her inhales and exhales.
"Bailey, baby, I love you. Shush, please don't panic when I say that. Of course it's fast, way too fast, but loving you feels like the most natural thing in the world."
I nod toward the window. "We could build you an office on the east side of the lawn. You can design it. Office, powder room, kitchenette with your own coffee maker."
Her bottom lip falls open.
"Why not, baby? I have a huge garage. You should have a private space, too. And you can take the more interesting work and not have to worry about money." Squeezing her hands, I smile. "Back on Wolfe Mountain, my relatives spend as much money as they can at all the local businesses to boost them. We could do the same here. Go out to dinner as much as we like. Buy local art, splurge at the bookstore…"
"It's not too fast?" she whispers.
"Of course it is!" I laugh. "It's ridiculously fast. It's also the most deeply correct thing I've ever felt in my life." Her lovely eyes are misty with tears as I say again, "I love you, beautiful. Do you think you could live with me for a couple of months, see how you feel at the end of it? Do you think you could give us a chance?"
She's already nodding. "Yes. To all of it."
My heart leaps up into my throat, choking me into silence for a moment.
"Yes to living here,” she continues, “and to taking the job I enjoy more. Yes to supporting the town." She grips my hands, her fingers shaking. "And yes… I love you, too."
I lean forward at the same time she does. She's more aggressive, tumbling on top of me on the floor as I push the coffee table out of the way. With her curvy body over mine, I wrap my arms around her, rocking as we laugh between deep, passionate kisses.
“So that’s that?" I ask. "We belong together, we've discovered we’re soulmates in less than a week, and we're going to live happily ever after?"
"Yes. That's officially the new plan."
EPILOGUE
BAILEY
* Three Years Later *
“Grazie, Antonio.”
“Prego, Signora Turner. Buona giornata.”
I smile at the young man who has just wheeled in our breakfast before he leaves again, closing the door behind him. We've been having big lunches and dinners, so a light breakfast is perfect. Espresso, fresh-squeezed orange juice, pastries, fruit – everything on the trolley looks spectacular.
Or should I say, “Spettacolare.”
Our second honeymoon here in Italy has been a dream. We've been drifting from city to city, spending two days here and four days there. Last night, my incredible husband explained to the chef at the trattoria we ended up at that it was the three-year anniversary of us meeting, and the kind man actually made us his take on pizza lasagna.
I told Nate that his was better. He didn’t believe me.
I can hear Nate humming in the shower, his voice bouncing off the marble walls. This is one of the most elegant hotels we’ve stayed at, but there are a few more to go.
Taking my espresso to the Juliet balcony, I look out over the beautiful historic town, wrapped up in my fluffy bathrobe.
My entire life has improved since I met Nate. I finally have stability, and the deep comfort that comes from feeling safe. I can truly plan out what I want.
After only a few days of living with him, I called my grandmother, who had pretty much disowned my mother when she married Jeremy, to get real help for Cody and Jacob.
She charged in and laid down the law. I had no idea that my mother was supposed to be on medication – she stopped taking it when she met Jeremy because it didn’t mix with alcohol. Mom and the boys are living with my grandmother now, and Jeremy is history.
The deal is that Mom can live under Grandma's roof as long as she stays on her meds, and the boys are incredibly well cared for. They love their nanny, Rita, and call me bursting with excitement every time they get a new Adventure Kids badge.
