Page 90 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

The little town was just as she’d left it, except now, the streets were tucked under a layer of snow. Christmas lights twinkled from every window, red and green ribbons adorned the lampposts. Potted Christmas trees sat in every corner, with strings of garland and glittering ornaments. The air smelled like cinnamon as she strolled down Main Street.

The wind swirled around her, carrying flurries of snowflakes as she climbed the hill toward Sunset Cove, and when she crossed into the tree-covered portion of the trail, it was like stepping into a dream. White everywhere. Her footsteps crunched through the fresh powder and she emerged out the other side. The sun poured across the lake, reflecting off the bobbing sheets of ice.

And the Barrett house stood, waiting. The front porch was wrapped with Christmas lights, a white wreath hanging on the door. The porch lights were lit, calling her in.

Daisy hesitated.

Daisy, if you’re watching…please come home.

She pulled in a nervous breath and climbed the steps to the door.

The house was quiet, the light low except for the glow coming from the far end of the parlor, from beneath the closed sunroom doors.

She reached out and pulled the handle, light pouring out of the room.

Her breath caught.

It was her design. The one she’d meant to give him. The beautiful stonework fireplace stood with the same wooden mantel, reclaimed and refinished, but above the mantel, set into the stones, was a gorgeous hand-carved tree, its roots sinking into the stone.

It was exactly as she’d imagined it.

“I didn’t think you’d come back,” a voice said behind her.

She turned.

Hunter leaned against the open doorway, his hair peppered with soft snow.

“Well, your show left me on a cliffhanger,” she said, taking a step toward him. “I had to see the finished result.”

“And?” he asked, pushing away from the door. Taking a step closer.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. Closer.

“Yeah,” Hunter agreed, his eyes dipping to her lips. His smile faded, his eyes softening as he pulled in a breath. And then he closed the distance between them, his hand lifting to brush the hair out of her face. He tilted her head back to look at him, and they both started speaking in a jumble.

“I’m so sorry, Daisy?—”

“—the video was a fake?—”

“I know. But I wish I’d trusted you. I’m sorry I said any of those things. I never cared about the followers, or the show, or any of that.” His jaw pulsed as he let out a heavy breath. “I’m sorry.”

“No matter how many times life falls apart, Hunter Barrett,” she lifted to her toes, kissing away that heaviness between them, “I promise I will always stay to rebuild.” She pulled back, looking into his eyes. There was a light there, hope and trust flourishing where once there had only been doubt. “I love you.”

Hunter pulled back, his eyes wide, his lips parted and grinning. “You love me?”

“I lov?—”

He crashed into her, his lips capturing hers. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer as they continued up, one hand pressed against her upper back. Her heart hammered in her chest, squeezing for breath, but she didn’t need air. Not right then.

“I love you, Daisy.” He kissed her again, this one soft and slow. And while they were falling in love, the snow was still falling outside.

Daisy pulled back, nestling against Hunter’s chest, and he turned back to look at the completed sunroom. He slid an arm around her shoulder, keeping her close. “It’s really too bad.”

Daisy quirked a brow, head tilting back to look up at him. “What’s too bad?”

“Oh, we’ll have to sell it,” he said matter-of-factly, looking up at the mantel. He glanced down at her again, his gaze tracing her lips, her cheeks, her eyes. “Unless…”

Daisy’s lips curved into a smile, turning to stand fully in his arms. “Yes?”

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