Grand Lake Colorado Series: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection

by Alexis Winter

  “Come on,” I say, nodding toward the house as I open my door to climb out.

  She gets out and joins me in front of the car, slipping her hand into mine.

  “What do you think?”

  She looks at the overgrown shrubs lining the house and wrinkles her nose. “I think it could use some work.”

  “I know,” I agree. “Don’t look at what it is. Look at what it could be.” I pull her over to the sidewalk in the center of the front yard. “We could brick over the front. Take out that little window there and put in a big picture window. We can rip out all this overgrowth and put in some landscaping. The backyard is huge. We could fence it in, and it would be perfect for the kids.”

  “The kids?” she asks, her wide eyes full of fear and confusion.

  Finally, I turn to her and drop down to one knee. “Jade Karma Seymour, I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you. I’ve wanted to make you mine since the first word you ever said to me. You remember what that was?”

  She laughs. “Get lost, you creep?”

  I laugh and nod. “That’s right. You told me to get lost, and I knew right then that no other girl would do. You were beautiful and feisty, and you took my breath away. I know we haven’t been together for any time at all yet, but that doesn’t stop me from knowing the truth. You and me, we’re meant to be together for the rest of our lives. Now, we can wait an acceptable length of time, or we can get started on our future right now. What do you say?”

  She smiles and nods. “I don’t want to wait another day. I want our future now.”

  I can’t hold back the smile that spreads across my face. I stand up and pull her against me, kissing her hard, until I’m out of breath. “I swear, I’m going to buy you the most beautiful ring money can buy and then I’m going to buy this house and fix it up. This is our dream house, baby.”

  She looks from me to the house and back. “If anyone can make this place a home, it’s you.”

  I laugh. “She’s old, but she’s got good bones. I’ll put in an offer first thing Monday morning.”

  She squeezes me tight, and I breathe her in, happy that I’ll never have to live another day without her in my arms.

  After I take her back home, I go to the garage to put in my hours and tell Dad all about the day I’ve had.

  “I’m going to put in an offer for that house over on Market Street,” I tell him as I print out an estimate to send over to someone’s insurance company.

  “Market Street?” He pulls his brows together as he tries to think of which house. “You mean that rundown piece of crap?”

  I laugh. “That’s the one. I’m going to rebuild it. I figure by the time that Jade and I start having kids, it should be done.”

  “Kids, huh? Don’t you think you should get married first?”

  “I asked her today. Now I just have to go ring shopping.”

  He holds up his finger. “I might be able to help you with that.” He tosses down the shop towel in his hands and runs out of the office.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’ll be right back,” he yells, running out the door.

  I shake my head as I send the email and then pick up the next thing that needs done. It takes me twenty minutes to get everything filed since Dad insists on having a paper copy of everything. About the time I’m finishing up, Dad is back with a little black box in his hand.

  “This ring belonged to my mother. I would’ve given it to your mom, but my mother was still alive and wearing it when we got married. I asked your mom if she wanted it after her passing, and she didn’t. She was already too used to wearing the one I bought her, so this has just been sitting in a drawer for all these years. It’s yours if you want it,” he says, holding out the box.

  I take it and inspect the ring inside. It’s rose gold in color and has one big diamond in the center with smaller diamonds surrounding it in a swirling pattern. I bet the diamond is every bit of two carats. This ring is far better than anything I could ever buy.

  “Dad, this ring is amazing. How did Grandpa ever afford something like this?”

  He chuckles. “My grandfather, your great grandfather, owned a jewelry store here in town. When dad decided he was ready to get married, he picked the best ring the store had. He paid what he could that day, and then he spent the next ten years working there on his days off from the mine to pay off that ring. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into that ring, so you better make sure that whoever you give it to is worth it, son.”

  I look down at the ring and nod. “She’s worth it alright.”

  “I think so too…especially if she took your sorry ass back after the shit you put her through,” he laughs out.

  I roll my eyes and snap the box closed, sliding it into my pocket.

  “When are you going to give it to her?”

  I shrug as I sit behind the desk. “I already asked, but I want to do it again the right way. I need to plan something perfect. How did you ask mom?”

  He laughs. “I asked her with a positive pregnancy test between us. Don’t wait as long as I did.” He turns for the door but pauses. “Just pick a place that holds special meaning for the two of you.”

  “Special meaning? Like what?”

  He shrugs. “A place you spent a lot of time. Recreate the date you took her on when you realized you loved her, something like that.”

  I laugh. “I guess I could bring her here.”

  “Here?” he asks confused.

  “Yeah, we used make out like crazy on this couch.” I smile, knowing what I’ve done.

  His face goes slack as he looks from me, to the couch, and back. He turns and walks out, shaking his head and mumbling something under his breath, leaving me to sit back and laugh.

  Even though I’m laughing and joking around, I think about what Dad said about the place I choose to propose. Back then, a lot of our time was spent at school, football games, parties, the garage, or one of our houses. I really don’t want to propose here in a dirty garage, but I doubt the school would be very romantic either. After hours of considering my options, I finally have an idea.

  It takes me a week to get everything lined up, but finally, Friday night comes along, and we head to the football game with Blake and Pearl. The girls fill their arms with popcorn, nachos, hotdogs, and sodas before we take our seats on the bleachers. The team is playing against The Rangers tonight, and while this isn’t going to be anything compared to last week’s game, I know just the thing to make it memorable.

  The four of us sit back and stuff our faces with more junk food than we should eat. We talk and laugh, remember the old times, and joke around as we watch the game. When there’s only a minute left in the second quarter, I stand up and excuse myself to use the bathroom. I head down the bleachers, and once I’m sure she’s not watching, I head back to the announcer’s booth. The clock counts down and the whistle is blown. Both teams start making their way off the field as the cheerleaders make their way to the center for their halftime show.

  Darrel removes his headset and spins his chair to face me. “You still doing this?”

  I nod with a smile in place. “I’m still doing this.”

  “Let’s do it then.” He shakes my hand as he hands me over the mascot uniform. I pull the bodysuit over my body and put on the giant wild cat head, then we walk back outside where I join the cheerleaders on the field.

  When the kids see me dancing around, they laugh, point, and jump up and down. It gets everyone’s attention, and before I know it, every eye in the place is locked on me. Most people are laughing and smiling at the fact that I very obviously don’t know the cheer. I look into the stands and find Pearl and Jade. They’re both watching me with wide smiles. She doesn’t even know what’s coming.

  Fifteen

  Jade

  The halftime show starts, and the cheerleaders make their way onto the field. Pearl and I sit and chat as they do their flips and chants. The moment the mascot joins the field, we stop talkin
g and watch a little closer. The mascot costume is usually only ever drug out for the parade or really big games. It’s usually one of the cheerleaders who knows the cheer, but whoever is in this costume clearly doesn’t know what’s going on.

  The cheerleaders raise their arms above their head, and the wild cat jumps. The cheerleaders jump, and the wild cat spins. It’s funny to watch him mess up every move and before I know it, Pearl and I are both dying of laughter as we watch the mascot screw up every move the cheerleaders attempt.

  I notice big white cards on the ground, and I roll my eyes, assuming they read, “Go, Fight, Win!” I hate when they want the crowd to help them cheer. I finished my cheerleading days long ago.

  The first cheerleader picks up her card and shows it to the crowd. My heart starts pounding and confusion takes over when it reads, JADE.

  The next girls shows us her card, and it reads, WILL YOU.

  The next is, MARRY ME?

  The cheerleaders part, and the mascot walks between them, front and center. He takes off his giant wild cat head, and beneath it is Memphis.

  A wide smile spreads across my face.

  Pearl shakes my shoulder. “Go down there!” she squeals.

  I stand up and start making my way down to Memphis, who’s down on one knee in front of the whole town, dressed as a wild cat. I rush across the track that circles the field and come to a stop in front of him.

  He pulls out a microphone. “Jade, I’ve loved you since it was the two of us on this field, and I can’t wait one more day to make you mine. Will you marry me?” He holds out a small back box and flips the lid open. The huge diamond on the ring catches the stadium lights, and it lights it up like wildfire. I’m speechless as tears sting my eyes. I can’t believe he did all this.

  I can’t speak. I can’t do anything but nod my head as tears fill my eyes and fall over, running down my cheeks. When I nod, the whole crowd erupts in a loud round of applause, and Memphis leaps up, picking me up against him as his lips find mine. He kisses me hard and fast but with more love than I’ve ever felt.

  He sets me on my feet and slides the ring onto my finger. It’s absolutely beautiful and takes my breath away every time it lights up and sparkles under the bright lights.

  “It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

  “It’s nothing compared to you,” he says, kissing me a second time, this time much slower and softer.

  The horn blows, meaning halftime is over, and we break away to get off the field. He takes my hand in his and pulls me onto the track as the teams rush the field. He releases my hand long enough to pull the costume off, and he hands it to one of the men that work the field. The moment it’s off, his hand is right back on mine, leading me up to our seats.

  “Let me see the ring,” Pearl says the moment we sit back down.

  I hold out my hand, moving it slightly from side to side to watch it sparkle under the lights.

  She gasps. “It’s beautiful, Memphis.”

  “It was my grandmother’s,” he replies, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me closer to his side.

  “I have another surprise for you,” he whispers low in my ear.

  “Another one? This is more than enough, Memphis.”

  He smiles. “We’re not done yet, baby.”

  I smile up at him, and he shoots me a wink before turning his attention back to the game.

  For the final two quarters, I can’t keep my head in the game. All I can do is look at this ring and think about everything we’ve overcome to get here. I keep thinking about our future and how we’ll live our lives. I think about future children, growing old together, and living out the rest of our lives, happy and in love.

  I’m surprised when the horn goes off, indicating the end of the game. The crowd stands and cheers as the players make their way off the field. Memphis reaches down and takes my hand.

  “Ready for surprise number two?”

  I smile and nod, wondering how much more my heart can take. It’s already beating at double its normal speed. He leads me down the bleachers and out of the field with everyone wishing us a congratulations as we pass. He doesn’t stop to talk though. His mind is set, and nothing is going to stop him from giving me the next surprise.

  He opens the passenger side door of his car, and I slide into the seat. He closes it behind me, then rushes around to the join me behind the wheel.

  “Where are we going?” I ask.

  “If I told you that, it wouldn’t be a surprise,” he says, flashing me a smile.

  It’s not before we’re pulling into the driveway of the house that he wants to buy and fix up, but this time, there is a stand of twinkling lights strung up along the front porch and weaved through the branches of the two trees out front.

  I gasp as I take in the beauty of the lights.

  He puts the car in park. “I thought we could spend the first night in our house.”

  “You bought it?” I ask, surprised.

  He nods and smiles. “I bought it.”

  I squeal as I get out and rush around the car to meet him on his side. He takes my hand in his and leads me toward the front door.

  “I’ve already started doing some work on it, but it’s nowhere near ready. We’ve got power and water just because I needed it to work on the house.” He opens the front door, and we walk into the living room, which is lit up with the same twinkling lights he used outside. They’re strung up along the top trim where the ceiling meets the walls. In the center of the floor is a big blanket that’s spread out. There’s a picnic basket on the blanket and dozens of flickering candles and flowers surrounding it.

  “You packed up a picnic?”

  “I thought it would be a good idea to also have our first dinner in our first home on our first night.”

  “Lots of firsts tonight.”

  He takes my hand and leads to the center of the blanket, and we sit down. “This is also where we’re going to be sleeping tonight, but I brought us a blow-up mattress.”

  “My hero,” I breathe out jokingly.

  He laughs as he pulls the picnic basket closer, opening it to pull out a bottle of wine and two glasses.

  “I know this all seems over the top,” he says, opening the wine and pouring some into the glasses. He hands one over. “But I want you to know that I’m all in. I’m not going to back out or take off again. This time, I’m seeing this through. I want to marry you, start our lives, have children, and grow old together. I meant it when I said I learned my lesson, Jade. I’ve spent almost ten years running from my feelings for you, and I’m done running.”

  I offer him a small smile. “Good,” I say, placing my glass of wine on the floor as I make my way onto his lap. I wrap my arms around his neck, keeping his eyes on mine. “Because there’s no way I’m letting you go again. We’re in this together from here on out. And if you ever think about running, talk to me. I’ll make sure you find your way home.” I press my mouth to his and kiss him deeply but slowly, wanting to make sure he feels every ounce of love I have for him and have always had for him.

  He slowly lays me back against the blanket, covering my mouth with his. His hips push my knees apart as he settles between them. His hands come up to cup my cheeks. “You’re so beautiful, you know that?” he whispers.

  I offer him a small smile but don’t answer him. I just pull his sweet lips back to mine and kiss him like he’s the air I need to breathe.

  It doesn’t take us long to strip each other from all clothing, and before I know it, he’s sliding into me, filling me completely and making me thank the universe for bringing him back to me. As he pushes into me again and again, I can’t help but to think about this long journey we’ve been on. A chance meeting in high school led to all that heartbreak and years of being broken, but it also led to this, us finally getting our happily ever after.

  We’re back together, and it’s like no time has passed, except now I know what it’s like to live without him, and I know it’s something I never want to do
again. And now, thanks to this ring on my finger, I know I won’t ever have to. Memphis isn’t running from me anymore. He’s running to me. And even though I know we’re still young and have our whole lives ahead of us, something tells me that he’ll be by my side for every good moment, for every turn of bad luck, and everything in the middle. Memphis and I got started a long time ago, but we’re nowhere near over. This isn’t exactly our beginning, but it’s a new beginning. It’ll be a story that will survive the test of time. The love that Memphis and I have created will live on through our children and their children and their children. A little piece of our love will last far longer than we do, and I can’t wait to get started on writing our story to be passed down with it.

  Epilogue

  MEMPHIS

  “Keep them closed,” I tell her as I lead her to the sidewalk in front of the house.

  “If I fall, Memphis, I swear to God…”

  “You won’t fall. I promise. We’re almost there.” I place her in the center of the sidewalk. “Okay, open them,” I say, watching as her eyes open and take in the finished house before us. Her mouth drops open, and the corners turn up into a big smile.

  “This is…beautiful. I can’t believe you did this all alone!”

  I shrug. “Well, Dad helped some. You want to check it out?”

  She nods. “Yes, of course.” Her hand moves to her belly, supporting her growing stomach as I take her hand and lead her toward the front door.

  The front of the house has been bricked over, and the overgrown bushes have been taken out and replaced with new life. There are scrubs, rosebushes, flowers, and vines that have already started to take over.

  I open the front door, and she steps into the newly redone living room. “The hardwood is original, and it runs throughout the house.”

  “I love the color we picked for the walls,” she says, running her hand over the light peach-colored wall.