Page 66 of Honeycombs & Homecomings

She swallowed, then swallowed again, then cleared her throat. “Well, what about your restaurants?”

“They’ll still be mine, but I was kind of thinking of buying that empty building next door and starting a new restaurant here,” he grinned. “I want to delve back into Virginian and Appalachian cuisines. I forgot how much I love the food here, and—”

She lifted a staying hand, her poker face locking firmly into place. “Wait, you want to start a business here?”

“Yep.” His stomach twisted.

“And stay here?”

He nodded.

“With me?”

“Yes,” he said, but he still couldn’t read her expression, and his stomach roiled. He still needed to explain his actions all those years ago. She needed to know he had no intention of splitting town again—not unless she demanded he leave, and even then, he knew he’d push back. “When I left all those years ago—I never meant to hurt you. That was the last thing I ever wanted to do. Something happened, and I had to—”

“Stop, that’s not important anymore. I figured it out. I know why you left. And it’s okay.”

His lungs seemed to clear for the first time since he’d arrived, letting him breathe easy. “You can’t mean that.” Did she really know?

“I do mean it,” she said firmly. “No question. You were a kid, and your life was hard. It was only getting harder. I know. I understand.”

He stared at her, taking in her expression, and it read of complete forgiveness. She understood him in a way no one else ever had or ever would. And she still cared about him. And he loved her. Always had, just as his parents had said.

“I love you,” he said.

She gave a hiccupping cry that morphed quickly into a laugh. “I love you.”

A warmth spread through him, buoying him up.

He swooped down, wrapped his arms fully about her waist as he pulled her flush to him, and kissed her. There was no hesitation on her part as she kissed him back, running her hands up into his hair, and making him heat up all over. He grasped her stinger, twisting it in his hands as he pressed her closer, savoring every moment of her sweet, honey flavored kisses. He’d never, ever, get enough of her. She laughed against his lips, making him smile in return. This kiss was years in the making, and worth every moment of the wait.

A collective gasp came from the crowds being held back by E. Morrison.

Then some random voice called out, “See, I told you they were engaged!”

Cash and Jo burst into laughter at the same time. Cash pulled back, breathing out a burst of mist, to look her in the eye. Hers were gleaming at him. He didn’t want to stay here to date her. He wanted her in his life forever. That’s why he’d gotten so ridiculously jealous when Brandon had talked to her. Why he hadn’t been able to sleep since arriving, and now he could admit to all of it. It was why he’d come home in the first place. To see her.

It was time to go big or go home. He pulled out of her grasp, squared his shoulders, and dropped to one knee. Looked like she’d brought him to his knees after all.

Her eyes popped. “Cash?”

He swallowed. “I didn’t know I was going to be doing this, so I don’t have a ring, but—”

Jo sucked in a gasp.

A squeal came from behind Jo, and Allie tore around the couple. “I do! I have one.” She pulled a ring off her finger and handed it to him.

Cash and Jo glanced down at the beautiful sapphire piece, and Cash wondered where Allie had gotten it.

Jo’s eyes widened and shimmered with unshed tears. “Grandma’s ring. How did you—”

Allie lifted her left hand, waggling her bare fingers at her sister. “It was my turn to take care of you.” Allie winked at Cash. “Trust me. This is her dream ring.”

Cash smiled at her. Allie to the rescue. How fitting.

Jo let out a sob, and then another, and they both turned to her. Tears streamed down her face. Her sob switched to hysterical laughter and back again, an ugly cry that Cash would never forget and would love for the rest of his life. She’d finally let herself feel.

He squeezed her hands. “Jo-Jo, my heart has always been, and will always be yours.”

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