Page 69 of Hers to Marry
He nodded. “Why not?”
“Okay…”
“Great. I’ll grab your coat.”
In minutes, they were standing outside of a bakery that left Kat speechless. All the designs she and Susie were discussing had already been implemented. Kat had thought she would have had to start the renovation as soon as she returned, but it looked like Susie—or someone—had been doing it all along.
Not only that. Her mother, Muriel, and Susie stood inside, waving at the two of them.
“One of the reasons why I didn’t reach out to you after you left is because I figured I couldn’t keep this a secret,” Drew said from beside her. He wrapped and arm around her waist, pulling her taut against him. “Susie said you’d be back, and…I didn’t know if you’d want me, but I figured I’d hang around to find out. Plus, I had a house to build for us.”
Kat stared at him. “Drew, thank you!” She threw her arms around him, tears coursing down her cheeks.
“You and Susie did the hard work. My crew and I enjoyed this project. Did I tell you? I’ve quit the investing business—at least, I’ve sold my shares in the company and started my own construction firm here. I build projects I care about and I get to flip homes on the side. It’s really what I’m good at. ”
If his home was any indication, he was absolutely right.
Kat and Drew stepped inside and greeted everyone. As Kat walked around her new bakery, she noticed a few of the cabinetry details were similar in style to what was at Drew’s home. Kat pulled Susie aside.
“Susie?”
“Hmm?” She looked at her all innocent-like.
Kat narrowed her eyes. “When you were asking about furnishings and design, it wasn’t just for this place, right?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Of course it was for this place. Don’t you see everything you picked?”
“I was just at Drew’s, and—”
Susie laughed. “Uh, yeah. He wanted to know what style you preferred because you two are getting married.”
“Wait, what?” Her gaze shot to Drew’s, who winked and grinned at her from over the head of his grandmother.
“He said you two got engaged when you were eight. So glad that Parker is out of the picture. I mean, I know she’s your friend and all, but you and Drew belong together, no question. You’re good with your hands, and he’s good with his.” She winked and chortled.
“Susie!” Kat hissed.
“You don’t know yet? Weren’t you just at his place?”
Kat groaned and covered her hot cheeks.
Susie continued to laugh. “You know I’m only teasing you.” She kissed Kat’s hand that still covered her cheek. “Welcome back. I’m glad you love it. But you do have some people here whowouldlove it if you’d get back in the kitchen and whip us up something to eat. You’ve mastered steaks, right?”
Kat laughed. She had learned from one of the best and could definitely sear a steak.
Her mother came over and squeezed Kat’s middle. “Hi honey. It’s so good to see you. And I noticed you didn’t come straight home when you arrived.” She pursed her lips in false disapproval and shook her head. “Finally got your Steven, huh?” she whispered.
“Hi, Mom.” Kat returned her hug. “I think so,” Kat said, her cheeks burning from her grin.
“I knew you could do it, honey. I knew you would go after what you wanted.”
Kat laid her head on her mother’s shoulder, and held her tight. The woman had been right. In under a year her life had dramatically changed. The stronger her belief in herself and what she was capable of, the more doors opened. She couldn’t imagine what her life would be like a year from now.
Married to Drew? Perhaps carrying his child?
In an hour, she had a few mini cakes cooling on the counter and eager family and friends waiting to eat them.
Drew stood behind Kat as she fed him one of the desserts she had created under the tutelage of Chef LeBleu.
