Page 73 of Playing for Keeps
Jerking back, she let out a small gasp. “What?”
“Well, that is, if you want to marry me,” Justin clarified.
“Wait, are you proposing?”
“I didn’t plan to this morning, but I don’t see a reason to wait. I love you, Caroline, and I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box wrapped in pink paper and white ribbon.
Her hand flew to her mouth. “Justin.”
“Open it. It’s not a ring, but therewillbe a ring.”
She tore into the wrapping with the impatience of someone whose heart was already a step ahead of her brain. Inside lay a leather bracelet matching the one she’d given him years ago, the one he’d worn until the strap softened and the imprint of their names had begun to fade.
“It’s pink!” she squealed. “And it says Justin and Caroline!”
He slid the band onto her wrist, wanting to say so much more, but words felt clumsy for the weight of what he meant.
“This is the best present ever!” Flinging her armsaround his neck, she wrapped him up in a warm embrace. “I love it. I love you.”
“I love you too. I really wanted to get you a ring but wasn’t sure if you were ready.”
“I don’t need a ring.” She settled into his lap and rested her head on his shoulder. “So, spring wedding?”
“Care to make it sooner?” he asked, becoming bolder by the second.
Her laugh tinkled over him. “Alicia would be mad if we didn’t give her time to plan.”
He adjusted her legs around him. “What’s the first day of spring?”
She let out a contented hum. “I just want you.”
“You’re all I want too.”
The family at the house, the crib in the woodshop for a child already loved, his name on her wrist, her arms around his neck—it all felt like proof that some things could be different than what he’d learned as a kid. Love here was ordinary and loud and generous.
“I love you, Sweet Caroline,” he said again, because some truths deserved to be repeated.
“Love you more,” she answered, which only made his heart and his entire soul fall harder for her.
EPILOGUE
CAROLINE
Caroline jogged across the parking lot of Meadowview Assisted Living Facility with a box of cookies tucked under her arm like a football. She waved a hand over her head as Skye’s car pulled onto the road headed back toward the bakery.
How could Caroline have known the residents would love the sweet treats so much? It was a good thing she had extra help.
She put the box on the table just inside the facility and dusted flakes of snow off her shoulders before hanging her coat on the hook by the door.
“Miss Caroline,” Jessica called as she hurried into the foyer. Her long, auburn hair flowed down her back and hung over her shoulders. “Thank goodness they’re here. Some people were getting antsy.”
“They couldn’t wait fifteen minutes for a cookie?” Caroline asked with a chuckle.
Jessica picked up the bakery box and started walking backward. “They’re taking turns asking for updates.”
Caroline followed Jessica as she power walked to the community room. Who would have guessed that the girls responsible for almost destroying her business would end up being some of the best helpers? Jessica especially loved interacting with people and gushing over the desserts.
