Page 14 of Nate
“Miss me?” He opens the door and walks inside.
“A little…” I smile. “I found a way to entertain myself.”
“Um, yes you did.” He looks around at everything I’ve organized and cleaned up since he’s been gone. “You really didn’t have to do that.”
“If this is going to be my home, I want to help.” I nod.
“Then I think it’s time we made that official, wouldn’t you say?” He walks closer to me.
“What do you mean?” I give him a blank stare.
“This…” Nate drops down on one knee, and before I realize what is happening, he has a ring box in his hand.
“Oh my god!” My hands go to my mouth in shock.
“I know you came to Snow Valley to be my bride, but I wouldn’t feel right about standing at the altar with you unless we were properly engaged.” He opens the ring box. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I nearly jump off the couch and literally pounce on him with a hug. Thankfully, he catches me.
The ring is beautiful. It fits me perfectly. I can barely look away from it because of how it sparkles. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I came to Snow Valley, but it was the best decision I ever made. I’m going to be Nate’s wife. Whatever trajectory my life would have taken doesn’t matter now. I want him by my side for the rest of it.
“You promised me more than a kiss when you got home.” I look at the ring. “Was this what you meant?”
“Part of it…” He smiles, and his hands begin to move to the front of my jeans. “But not all.”
“Good, because I did make the bed while you were gone.” I lean against his ear. “I was kind of hoping we could mess it up.”
“You’re damn right we will.” He unsnaps my jeans and lifts me up as he stands.
Nate is a fighter. He’s rough around the edges. He probably has a few skeletons in his closet I don’t want to know about. None of that matters. I know he’ll fight for what we have, and the rest of our lives together will be perfect.
This is going to be the best Christmas of my life, and the first of many I spend in Snow Valley.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue - Catriona
One Year Later
MyfirstyearinSnow Valley has flown by so fast. When the snow started to fall again, I was overcome by emotions. It reminded me of my arrival, but more importantly, the decision that changed my life forever.
Coming to Snow Valley was just the beginning. I agreed to be Nate’s Mail-Order Bride, but in the back of my mind, I wondered if I could actually go through with it. I was scared I would back out at the last minute.
But I didn’t.
I fell in love with Nate. I fell in love with the Mistletoe family. I fell in love with the small town that I now call home. My wedding day was the happiest day of my life, and I took charge of my trajectory once and for all.
Now, life is perfect.
Most of the time…
“No, stop!” I rush to Nate and put my hand on his as he attempts to put an ornament on the tree.
“I thought it was my turn to hang them.” He gives me a side-eyed glance as he pulls his hand away from the tree.
“It is, but don’t hang anything in the middle of the tree. That spot is for the ornament that we bought this year.” I turn away from Nate and walk to the table by the door.
“Ah, how I could I forget.” He smiles and nods.
