Page 109 of The Guest Cottage

“I know that, and it’s just one of the many reasons why I love you. Bramble is special, and I want to stay, but I could be happy anywhere as long as I’m with you.”

He turned them so she was on her back, and he was over her. “I know you, Marlow. With or without me, you’d find a way to be happy, because that’s who you are. A survivor, an upbeat participant in life, a gentle soul with a backbone of iron and fierce drive. I’d rather you be happy with me, but no matter what, you’d find a way.” He kissed her carefully, mindful of her bruised cheek. “I love you enough to do things your way.”

She stalled. “Um, what does that mean?”

“I’m an old-fashioned guy, and as you know, Bramble is an old-fashioned town. Eventually, I’d like us to get married.”

Her heart started tripping wildly.

“I know you’ve been down that route without the best results. I’ll understand if you want a lot of time. If you prefer to go on living in the guest cottage, if you want us to slow down a little—”

“I don’t.” When he appeared confused, she tried again. “You’re right. I’d rather wait a while before getting married, but not too long. Maybe we could shoot for next summer?” That would give her heart time to settle down, so she was only thinking with her head. “And I love the guest cottage, but I’d also love to be with you more.”

Cautiously, he asked, “Would you like to live here?”

“Yes,” she said too quickly, so she politely tacked on, “If you don’t mind.”

He smiled. “The sunrises look the same from my dock, I promise.”

Thinking about spending a lifetime with this man had her blood pumping and her entire body too warm. “I’ll need some office space, too.”

He nodded. “We’ll look at the house and figure out what works best.”

“I still plan to work for Herman,” she warned.

“He’ll be thrilled to hear it.”

With Cort being so agreeable, her thoughts and plans hit Mach speed. “I still plan to open a shop in Lankton, too.”

“The building you looked at will be perfect.”

So much happiness couldn’t be contained in one body. “God, I love you.”

He gave her another, deeper kiss, one that signaled more was to come.

“Can Pixie stay at the lake house?”

Taking his kisses to her neck, Cort murmured, “On one condition.”

Oh, heavens, his lips felt delicious, nearly sidetracking her. She managed to breathe, “What is it?”

“You can’t keep paying for her.”

“I have to.”

Pausing long enough to make his one and only demand, Cort said, “It’s something I want to do. I like having her here where we can help her when necessary. I want to watch her grow and learn from you, and maybe she’ll learn a few things from me, too.”

Marlow put her palm to his face. “She’ll learn many things from you.”

“Then that’s settled.” He tugged at the hem of her shirt, then slid his hand underneath. “Now let’s move on to more important things.”

Breathless again, she asked, “Like loving each other?”

Sliding down in the bed to kiss the bare skin of her midriff, he growled, “That’s the perfect place to start.”

* * *

Two weeks later, the whole town was aware that she’d moved into Cort’s home, intended to keep working at the tavern, and had made a bid on the building in Lankton.

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