I nodded, taking a long drink of my water, brain struggling to switch gears. “Yes. My mother let it slip last night. After the power went out, I was done. I just wanted to leave… Then she said ‘your grandfather would be proud of you,’ and it sort of all came out from there.”
Wade shook his head, a crooked grin turning his lips. “I never would have guessed. Though, now that I know, I should have.”
“Why’s that?”
“You’re a lot like him, Lemon. Determined and proud, but fearless. You dug your toes in, even though I didn’t make it easy on you. You had a plan, and you made it happen. And I admire that.”
The familiar heat of a blush flamed up my neck and into my cheeks. I shook my head, laughing softly. “Never in my life would I have ever thought to hear those words coming out of you, Wade Tucker. I was certain you hated me.”
Wade’s grin held as he reached across the table, covering my hand with his. The warmth of him flowed through me, causing a shiver of delight to dance up and down my spine. “Well, it’s a good thing that certainties can change.”
The rest of the night was filled with subtle flirting, to the extent that I was all but positive my blush would never cease. After our meal was done, we drove back to the creamery so I could get my car, and then Wade followed me home.
I felt like a giddy school girl as I climbed the steps of the porch, turning to look at him when we reached the door.
“Thank you for dinner. I had a really good time.”
He smiled brightly, hands tucked into his pockets as he nodded. “I did too. A really good time. We should do it again.”
Swallowing deeply, I nodded before dropping my gaze to my hands worrying the strap of my purse. “Wade… There is something we need to talk about…”
“Yeah?” I could hear the curiosity in his tone.
Inhaling deeply, I looked at him. I’d been trying to figure out how to talk to him about this all night. Knowing what I knew now, it hurt to bring it up. But a contract was a contract, verbal or otherwise.
“We need to discuss the terms of the bet. You won, therefore…” My voice caught in my throat, and I gave a small shake of my head, forcing myself to continue. “Therefore, the creamery--”
I gasped when he leaned in, pressing his fingers to my lips. “Lemon, what kind of man do you take me for?”
Brow furrowing, I looked up at him, pulling away from his fingers and licking my lips, tasting him. “Wade--”
“I’m not going to take away something that your grandfather left for you. I told you, I don’t play that way. ‘Sides, Beau would skin me alive to know I’d done you like that.” With a chuckle, he moved closer to me, his long lashes shadowing his eyes in the growing darkness. “Plus, I’ve been thinking about something.”
“Oh?” I squeaked, unable to look away from him. My heart beat like a drum behind my ribs, and I was positive he could hear it.
“Well, it’s a fact that you and I work pretty well together. And, as I said, you held your own today. And you seem to have a pretty good brain for the books, which is something I’ve always struggled with.”
I nodded, waiting for him to go on. When he didn’t, I pressed. “And?”
“Well, what would you said to us being partners?”
Partners. I liked the idea of that. Working together, getting to know him more. I felt the muscles of my lips twitch as the smile started slow, then spread wide across my face. Beaming up at him, I nodded vigorously, throwing myself at him and wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Yes! Oh, Wade, thank you!” Clearing my throat, I pulled back, cheeks flaming, and thrust out my hand. “I mean, I accept your business proposal, Mr. Tucker.”
Wade grinned, slapping his hand against mine, giving it a hearty shake before pulling me against him. I yelped as our bodies collided, his arm snaking around my waist. Hands pressed against his chest, I looked up at him in shock.
“You know,” he murmured as he inclined his head closer, his other hand cupping my cheek. “I always did like lemons.”
Any response I might have had died in my throat as he closed the distance between us, pressing his lips against mine.
Fireworks exploded in my head as warmth washed through me. With a soft moan, I wrapped my arms around his neck, answering his kiss with one of my own. There wasn’t an inch of space between us, arms locked tightly around the other, tongues tangling until we were breathless.
With a giggle I pressed my cheek against his chest, listening to the rapid beating of his heart. Good, it wasn’t just me. Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes, wrapped in his warmth, in his scent. And in that moment, more than any other, I felt it. The thing I had been looking for my whole life.
Home. I was finally home.
Epilogue
I acclimated to country life much faster than I had ever expected. Once I had decided to stay, that is. Nothing was going to stop me from making Haven my home.
Day by day, Beau’s home became mine. Wade was more than willing to come over and help with minor repairs, and a few major ones. For everything else, I called on Ryan Mcallister. After a few months, the home had been updated and revamped, and was most certainly mine.
Wade had made subtle touches and suggestions that were all his. And a secret part of me was thrilled for it. To myself, I could admit that I might have doodled Mrs. Wade Tucker a few times on scrap paper when I was trying to think. Though I made sure to shred them. I didn’t need to explain that yet. We’d agreed it was better to take things at our own pace and test the waters before we dove in too deep to anything other than a business relationship.
As fall shifted to winter, I began making plans to go to D.C. for Thanksgiving. While I was making Haven my home, I missed my family and friends. After double and triple checking with Wade that he would be okay at the creamery while I was away, I was off to the airport. Anxiety and excitement coursed through me the second the plane touched down.
“Lemon!” my mother called, letting go a soft cry of delight tinged with relief, as I fought through the crowd of people exiting the terminal. I’d known she would be worried from the moment my flight took off, no matter how much I tried to soothe her fears.
I ran toward her, both of us giggling like loons as we collided into one another. Her arms wrapped tightly around me, and for a time, we simply stood and hugged one another.
“I’ve missed you.” She breathed against my ear, stroking my hair before pulling away.
“I missed you too, mom.” We smiled at one another before she took my hand. “I told you you didn’t need to worry about me flying.”
“Oh, Lemon,” She waved a hand at me, shaking her head before looping her arm through mine. “Let’s go home.”
I took a deep breath as we arrived at my parents’ house. I hadn’t realized until then how much I had missed it. I was really looking forward to spending the holiday with them. After emptying my bag and putting away my things, I came downstairs, lured by the scent of coffee.
“Oh, you do love me.” I moaned, swinging into the kitchen with outstretched hands and taking the steaming mug my mother offered me.
“Of course I do. Come into the living room, I want to hear all about Haven.”
We snuggled down into the couch, laughing over the last six months of my life. She asked about Wade, and I told her all that I knew, though I kept our kiss to myself for the moment. I wasn’t even sure why, other than I wasn’t ready to share it yet.
“Mom.” I lowered my mug to my lap, shifting to curl my legs beneath me as I looked at her. She was a beautiful woman. Her dark brown hair, so like mine, pulled back into a low ponytail at the base of her neck. “Why did you wait so long to tell me?”
Her smile fell slowly, and I watched her shift to set her mug on the coffee table. “Oh, sweetheart...”
“I just don’t understand why you kept it from me for so long.” I lowered my eyes, staring into the depths of my mug. I’d rehearsed this conversation over and over again in my head. I kn
ew we would need to confront this. She had kept a huge part of my life from me, and because of that we hadn’t spoken much since she’d dropped the bomb the night before the reopening.
My mother sighed, reaching over and resting her hand on my knee. “I wanted to tell you, Lemon. I learned about it just before I got pregnant with you. Things were not good between Beau and I for a while. I was angry with him, with my adoptive parents. I suspect I felt the way you’re feeling now.”
I met her gaze, but I didn’t say anything, quietly waiting for her to continue.
“After I found out we were expecting you, something changed. He wanted to be in my life. To make amends for everything that came before. He sent money, toys, clothes... He begged to be a part of your life. A part of our lives. And I wanted to, so badly. But I was still so hurt… And I already had parents, amazing parents.” She paused, drawing a shuddery breath as she looked at me, squeezing my knee. “And I was afraid you would get confused. So, I made him Uncle Beau. I looked for ways to tell you. Then I told myself I would when you were older, when you were ready. But I was never ready. And then it was just easier to hide it.”
Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Lemon. I didn’t mean to steal that time from you. I would give anything for you to have it back.”
Tears streaming down my own cheeks, I set my mug aside and wrapped my mother in a hard hug. I felt her tears dampening my shoulder as we cried together, both of us finally releasing years of pent up emotion. My face was raw and tight with dried tears when I finally pulled away. I couldn’t help but smile as my mother ran her thumbs across her cheeks, brushing away the remnants.
“I love you, Lemon.”
“I love you too, mom.”
“Now!” she exclaimed as she slapped her hand on my knee. “Tell me about the sorbet disaster.”
*****
The morning of Thanksgiving was a delightfully rushed affair as we made final preparations for dinner. My parents’ modest house was soon full of family, laughter, and love. I had been chatting with a cousin when I glanced over, my attention drawn to my grandparents. Excusing myself, I rushed over to greet them, hugging them each tightly in turn.
“Lemon! We’re so happy you’re here. Your mother said you were in Haven.” My grandmother said, shooting a wary look to my grandfather. Before I could say anything, my mother placed a hand on her shoulder and nodded softly.
“It’s okay, mom. She knows.”
My grandmother’s tear-filled eyes met mine, and with a soft gasp she pulled me into a hug so tight, I would have believed her if she’d said her arms were made of steel. “Finally!” she uttered softly.
More tears were shed, followed by delicious food. As the turkey came out of the oven, my grandfather wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
“Are you going back, Lemonade?”
I smiled at the nickname, reaching up to hold his hand. “I am. The will states that I have to be there for a year. So, I have another six months to enjoy Haven.” I wasn’t yet ready to admit it, but I was quickly growing certain I’d stay a lot longer than that.
My grandfather smiled, leaning in and pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Good girl.”
A soft smile curved my lips as the thought sunk in. Six more months in Haven. Plenty of time to explore what exactly that kiss Wade and I had shared meant. Six months to learn more about the town Beau had loved so much. Six months to make a life for myself.
When we were all sat around the table, my grandmother rose, lifting her glass of sparkling cider. “I would like to ask a favor of everyone. As many of you know, my brother Beauregard passed away earlier this year. I would like to dedicate this night, this day with family and loved ones, to his memory. Please, honor him, by eating and drinking your fill. To Beau!”
Glasses were raised, clinking against one another as a chorus of ‘To Beau!’ filled the room.
I lifted my glass, smiling as I took a sip. To Beau, who had known exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t.
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