Page 68 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

Hunter’s chest expanded as his breath betrayed him. Of course…

“But I didn’t have to think about it very long,” she continued, “because the second he asked, I knew.” She raised a hand to his cheek, shaking her head. “I don’t want to be with him.”

Hunter’s heart thundered in his chest as he processed her words. He stepped closer, his eyes searching hers, looking for any hint of a reason not to let himself believe her.

“He’s not half the man you are, Hunter Barrett.”

The last of his defenses crumbled.

Hunter’s arms circled her waist, pulling her to him the way he’d wanted to do every day since she’d walked back into his life. He lifted a hand, his fingertips tracing the pink in her cheeks before threading through her hair, tilting her head back. She had snowflakes on her lashes. She was beautiful. He lifted her lips to his.

Daisy melted into him. Her fingertips brushed his chest, his neck, and curled around his shoulders as she returned his kiss.

Hunter pulled her closer, lifting her to her toes. His thumb grazed her cheek, memorizing the feel of her. The kiss deepened, and he poured into it all the words he hadn’t said, everything he’d been holding back because he’d been afraid.

Daisy wanted him. She chose him.

Snow drifted through the trees, dusting them with white, but Hunter didn’t feel the cold.

ChapterFifteen

Hunter could renovate houses, manage construction crews, and handle tough negotiations, but put him in a room with his grandfather, whose opinion could make or break his future, and he was a wreck.

“Stop, Hunter,” Daisy said, her voice edging on laughter as she laid a hand on his, halting his nervous fidgeting with the doorknob. “I think you’ve checked it enough times.”

Hunter blinked, emerging from his thoughts. The house was as ready as it could be—not that there was much to prepare, given the lack of furniture outside the items purchased, specifically for the foyer and the porch. But Hunter ran through a mental checklist all the same. Kitchen, presentable. Living room, decent. Bathroom—actually, they shouldn’t use the bathroom, the water wasn’t turned on. He’d need to warn them?—

“Hunter.” Daisy stepped into his line of sight, lifting his chin to look into her eyes. “It’s going to be fine. Your family loves you, and they’re going to see how much work you’ve put into this place.”

Hunter took a deep breath, clearing his lungs. “I know. It’s just…it feels different now.” Now that he knew how much Daisy meant to him. Now that there was a bud of a future to protect. Now that he knew how much he wanted things to work out between them. And most importantly, how badly he wanted to make his family proud and keep the house.

Today was the day. His grandpa would be arriving any moment, and they really had to sell him on the renovations so that when Hunter came clean about the engagement and asked his grandpa to change the trust, he wouldn’t be able to say no…Not with how much care Hunter had put into the house. He’d see.

Daisy brushed her thumb over his jaw, her gaze soft and reassuring as though she sensed his thoughts, and she lifted on her toes, drawing him down to her. But before their lips could touch, the front doors burst open.

“Turkey DAY!” Waylen shouted as he stomped through the door, followed by a cacophony of voices, each trying to out-shout the others. He turned toward Daisy, his arms outstretched. But before he could reach her, Evan intercepted, scooping Daisy up in a bear hug.

“Too slow, Waylen!” He laughed, spinning her around.

“Interference!” Waylen shouted.

“Don’t be a bad sport.” This from Jude, who stepped in as Evan passed her off. He gave her a quick squeeze before pivoting to dodge Waylen’s renewed attempt.

Miles stepped forward, waving his arms. “I’m open!” he joked.

“All right, all right,” Hunter said sternly, pushing down his nerves to step in. His arms wrapped around Daisy’s waist protectively. “She’s not a football, guys. Cool it.”

The family erupted in good-natured laughter and a chorus of playful boos.

“Lame!” Jude called out, but his grin was wide.

The crowd shuffled farther in and spread out, lingering around the door. Hunter’s hand slid to Daisy’s lower back as he led her through the group, grateful for her steady presence.

“Daisy, I’d like you to meet my brother Miles,” he said, gesturing to his oldest brother. People said they looked alike, both sharing dark eyes and wide shoulders, but Hunter didn’t see it.

Miles smiled warmly as he pulled Daisy in for a hug. Hunter watched, his heart swelling at how easily his family seemed to accept her.

“Hunter has told me a lot about you,” Miles said, his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

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