Page 124 of Not Part of the Plan
“It’s about time that starts to sink in.”
She stared at the keys and back at the house. “I can’t believe you’d do this for me. The things I said to you—”
“And the things I said to you. Let’s just see if we can handle our disagreements a little more maturely in the future.”
“You don’t think they’ll all be that bad, do you?”
“Us? No. Of course not,” he said, giving her that devil’s smile and pulling her into his arms.
“You’re totally lying right now, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“Probably.”
“It’ll be an adventure,” he predicted.
“And not just in the bedroom,” she said with a wink.
Niko scooped her up and she laughed. “Let’s go check out our new home.”
“You’re supposed to do this to the bride,” Emma said, looping her arms around his neck.
He bounded up the front steps of the porch. “Oh, we’re getting married.”
“Is that your idea of a proposal?”
“What? Are you expecting a puppy?”
“I was at least expecting the question!”
He slid the key in the lock and pushed open the front door. “Why? So you can agonize over it for weeks on end torturing both of us when you know there’s only one answer? I think it’s easier to just tell you we’re getting married. Now, you can just get used to the idea.”
Emma slapped his chest. “Nikolai, getting married is a big decision,” she argued. “One that we both should be part of!”
The little yip of delight took her by surprise, and when she spotted the ball of yellow fur tumbling over giant feet toward them she gasped. “Oh, my God!”
“Yeah, well, so is getting a house and a dog,” Niko shrugged.
EPILOGUE
“Surprise!”
The shout took Emma by surprise and had her sweeping Baxter up in her arms before he could pee excitedly all over the brewery floor.
There were people and balloons everywhere. Her team from the brewery, her family, the Pierces, it looked like half the town was here crowding around the bar.
“What is going on?” Emma asked, handing Baxter over to Niko.
“Happy anniversary,” Julio announced with a debonair bow.
Cheryl looped her arm through Emma’s. “One year ago today, you stepped up to lead our team. And look what’s happened in that year.” Cheryl held up Emma’s left hand letting the emerald cut diamond catch the light.
The crowd hooted. Jax handed her a glass of champagne. Joey wielding a knife, stood guard over a sheet cake decorated like the brewery and its surrounding pastures. Emma’s father was holding Lydia cozied up on a barstool with Phoebe, Gia, and Eva. Carter and Beckett stood side-by-side discussing the proper application of beard balm while Summer chased the twins.
“If I could have everyone’s attention,” Jax said. The crowd quieted. “Not so very long ago, my brothers and I were running ourselves ragged trying to get and keep the doors of John Pierce Brews open. And then along came Emma Merill, who replaced the three of us with style, with class, and with abilities that far outweighed our own. You saved us Emma, and we’ll be eternally grateful to you. To Emma.” He raised his glass.
“To Emma,” the crowd echoed. Under Caleb’s watchful eyes, Joey attacked the cake with a knife and a lot of enthusiasm.
