Page 76 of Merry Little Sugar Rush
“I actually had just pulled into town when I talked to you a bit ago. I met John at the house and dropped the trailer.”
“I can’t believe it. You’re really here? To stay?” she asks, and even though we’ve been over this a dozen times since I left, promising to be back, she still seems shocked by how everything has turned out.
“If you’re here, I’m here, Joy. There’s nowhere else I want to be.”
Then, finally, after nearly three of the longest weeks ever, she presses her lips to mine. The kiss feels like coming home, a culmination of days’ worth of packing, selling off furniture, and then traveling. Nineteen days to be exact. And I am ready to be home.
The door opens, the bell chiming throughout the bakery and alerting to a new customer arriving. I release her lips and smile. “You have work to do,” I say softly, wishing it were already closing time.
“I do.”
With one hand, I slowly help her slide down my body. My cock is hard, but thanks to where she stands, I don’t think anyone can bear witness to the extent of my excitement to beback. “These are for you,” I state, handing over the bouquet of red roses and white lilies.
“They’re gorgeous,” she beams, leaning in and inhaling. When she makes eye contact, she asks, “Will you be at the house?”
I nod. “Come on by whenever you’re done here.”
She glances over her shoulder to the customer approaching the counter. Even though Jan is there to help, she still needs to get back to work. “I could just close up now,” she mumbles, making me laugh.
“It’s not much longer. Besides, I was going to stop by Feldman’s and talk to Tim and Nancy. Gramps said they were interested in selling my furniture pieces when I get back into it.” Feldman’s is the small furniture store on the square, not too far from the bakery.
“I’m so happy for you.”
Gramps is going to let me use his shop too. Sure, I have the small garage I can put some of my tools in for smaller projects, but I’ll have a lot more space at the farm. Plus, my family asked me to work at the family farm part time and as needed. During the slower months, I’ll be able to spend more time in the shop, doing my thing, but in the busier seasons, I’ll help where needed. It’s the best of both worlds, and I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity.
“I’ll let you get back to it,” I tell her, leaning forward and pressing my lips to hers once more.
“More of that later,” she states the moment she pulls her mouth away.
“Damn right there will be.”
I watch her walk away, placing the flowers on the counter as she gets back to work. She turns around and helps make a drink, while Jan pulls pastries from the glass case.
I don’t know how long I stand here and watch her, but I’ve never felt more settled, more complete in my life. If you would have asked me if returning to Snowflake Falls in the wake of my grandpa’s stroke would result in finding the woman I hope to one day spend the rest of my life with, I would have told you to get the hell out of here.
But here I am, completely in love and looking forward to the future.
A future with Joy.
From childhood best friends to hopefully spending our lives together.
I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty damn good to me.
EPILOGUE
Joy
“Merry Christmas.”Burk’s lips press against mine, waking me in the best way possible.
Okay, not completely waking me up, since I’m usually a very early riser. My internal clock woke me at four, but I was able to lie in bed and doze back off for a bit, thanks to being in Burk’s warm embrace.
“Merry Christmas,” I murmur, rolling onto my back and stretching. “Is it time for presents?”
He chuckles and reaches for a steaming coffee mug placed on the nightstand. “It is.”
“But first, coffee,” I practically sing, sighing after taking my first sip.
Burk isn’t a pro but would make a good barista. One of the first things he wanted to do when he moved into this house was learn to make one of my favorite coffee drinks. We started off with a basic coffeepot and eventually moved on to using a milk frother to create delicious lattes.
