Ideas swirled.
Would this work?
“I’m the government’s scapegoat. Pure and simple.” Jed sat ramrod straight. “Bundling debt isn’t illegal. It’s not my fault they changed the rules. Investors were aware of the risk, but if they ignored it, that’s on them.”
Garrett focused his attention on Jed. He rarely drifted when he was with a client. “Everyone remembers what happened with junk bonds.”
“Your firm is the only one that brought it up.”
“Then you made the correct choice in who to represent you.”
“I did, but…” Jed hung his head. “I don’t want to go to jail. What are my chances?”
“No outcome is one hundred percent guaranteed, but we’ll do everything in our power to prove your innocence.”
Tension melted from Jed’s face. “I am innocent.”
The conviction in his voice was unmistakable, so was his body language.
“You are. But it’ll take work to break down the case against you.”
“Whatever you need to do, do it.” Jed’s jaw jutted forward. “I have a wife and four kids, who’ve I ignored for far too long to make more money. I didn’t let them know what they mean to me, so I lost them. I’m ready to be a better husband and father for us to be a family again, but it’ll be hard to do that from prison.”
Jed’s raw honesty sliced into Garrett, both professionally and personally.
“I canceled our meeting last week so that I could watch my youngest’s T-ball game. That’s the first event I’ve had in…years. My wife kept the kids away from me, and I can’t blame her. But I don’t want to miss another game or dance recital or band concert or nightly dinner.”
Garrett wanted to help the guy so he could reunite with his family. Everyone deserved a second chance—even a third one.
As he remembered the one Taryn gave him, a lump formed in his throat. He swallowed it. “Jenn must have gone over what we do, but our first step is to get the charges dropped. Avoiding court completely is best, but if that doesn’t happen, we’ll put together a rock-solid case to prove your innocence. Family is everything, and you need to be with them.”
Jed’s gaze softened. “How long have you been married?”
“I-I’m not.” The question caught Garrett off-guard.
“Oh.” Jed’s brows furrowed. “The way you sounded… Well, when you fall in love, here’s some advice. I learned the hard way. Don’t put your work first. Make sure your special person knows they matter and is your priority. No matter what. That must sound contradictory when I’m asking you to do that for me. But this is more important.”
It was.
Garrett felt it deep in his bones. Except…
He clutched the chair’s armrests to keep from falling over. He hadn’t done that.
Not with his family—his parents and siblings.
Not with Taryn.
Money and prestige had become everything to him. Yes, he put his work first. And so did Taryn. They both had been doing the same thing. Perhaps that was why her mom and dad had been so worried about her. They hadn’t wanted her to miss out on living life to the fullest because of working too much. Yet, she hadn’t jumped at her dream the way he would have expected. She’d taken the time to call him—to ask him—to say she loved him.
And Garrett had the feeling if he hadn’t joked about her getting on a plane and asked seriously instead, she might have done that. But why should she give up her dream when he could help the firm and be with her?
And he knew why.
His insides deflated.
Garrett was trying to prove himself. Years later, that mistake as an intern followed him, clinging to him like a leech he couldn’t shake. Yet he’d made up for it in so many ways, with so many cases, but he hadn’t been able to see it.
Not until today.
And he knew what he had to do. “I won’t be sitting in on this case.”
Jed’s shoulders sagged. “I want you as lead.”
“I’ll be second.” Garrett always gave a hundred and ten percent to his clients. But he didn’t want to be that guy any longer. His heart wasn’t in it. His heart belonged elsewhere—in Silver Falls with Taryn. “You’ve been working with Jenn. She’s who you need.”
“You’re the best.”
“I am, but I won’t be the best for you right now.” Garrett pictured Taryn. Warmth flowed through him. “I have other priorities.”
*
Garrett returned to Silver Falls like a thief in the night, parking his rental car down the street from Margot’s house. That way no one—okay, Taryn—noticed it there. He paced the length of Margot’s entryway with Angus and Sadie at his heels, their little paws happily following him. Air-conditioning kept the temperature cool but sweat beaded at his hairline.
Not nerves.
Anticipation.
Excitement.
Taryn was the actual thief, the one who’d stolen his heart.
The funny thing?
He didn’t want it returned. Garrett would happily allow her to keep it.
Wasn’t that why he was here?
The evidence was overwhelmingly clear.
Garrett wanted to be with her. Period.
The one person he trusted to help him get this right was unavailable. And that…
Sucked.
Not interrupting Callie on her honeymoon had taken strength he didn’t know he possessed. But he’d done it. That left Margot to be his sounding board. She’d helped him refine each idea until he had a plan in place to ensure Taryn’s and his future happiness.
“I can’t wait to see her reaction.”
Angus barked.
Garrett would take that as a sign of support. “Thanks, little buddy.”
Margot sat on the couch. “I’m proud of you, Garrett.”
“It’s not like I’m giving up anything.” He would travel more, but it was an easy nonstop between SEATAC and LAX. “The other partners weren’t thrilled, but they didn’t want to lose me either, so a compromise worked for everyone involved.”
“Compromise is always key, dear. Remember that when you get married.”
“I will.”
“I knew the two of you belonged together.”
“You didn’t play matchmaker.”
“Not overtly. But there may have been some subtle maneuvering behind the scenes.”
Brandt would need to speak with her when he returned from his honeymoon.
Garrett glanced at the time. Eight o’clock. That was only five minutes later than before. “Is your clock broken?”
“It works fine. Check your cell phone if you want to confirm it.”
He did. “Correct.”
Margot laughed. “I thought Brandt had fallen hard for Callie, but you, oh sweet barrister, take the cake.”
“I don’t want the cake. I want the baker.”
Love. Family. Endless marionberry pie. A happily ever after.
The ringing startled him, but it wasn’t his phone. Relief rushed through him.
Margot answered. “Hello.”
He didn’t want to eavesdrop, but what if it was Taryn?
“Garrett is right here.” Margot laughed. “You have no idea. … You and Taryn have fun tomorrow.”
Not Taryn, but her mother. The plan was for Mrs. Lawson to pick up her daughter in the morning for a spa day in Summit Ridge. The day was courtesy of a gift certificate he’d provided. Dinner was on him, too. He only hoped that kept Taryn away from Main Street until nightfall.
“I know, right?” Margot winked at him. “Well, safe travels. Enjoy the spa day.”
She hung up. “Mrs. Andrews is ready to do her part. Her husband is waiting for the bakery to close. Jayden will let you know the coast is clear.”
“What about the others?”
“Carl and Finley are there. Brecken and Mandy will come when Jayden calls. Keaton offered to help. Some firefighters have volunteered, which is why I’ll be there.”
He coc
ked a brow. “The hottie paramedic who likes Taryn.”
“He might be there, and he’s dating someone else. Rachelle rounded up several firefighters. Some of Wags and Tails’s staff will be there tomorrow, too, including Anna, who wanted to represent Callie.”
That sounded like something Anna would do for her best friend.
“It sounds as if half the town knows about this.”
“Not half.” Margot rubbed her chin. “I’d say twenty-five percent. But the most important person doesn’t know. Taryn will be so surprised.”
“I hope so.” The dogs stared at him as if Garrett could conjure treats from thin air. He held out his hands. “Thanks for your help.”
“The town and I are pulling for you.”
“You mean twenty-five percent of the town.”
Margot smiled slyly. “That’s what I said.”
He was in too good a mood to cross-examine her.
His phone rang. Jayden’s name illuminated on his screen.
Garrett answered. “Hey.”
“Target has left the building,” Jayden whispered. “I repeat. The target has left the building.”
“Why are you whispering?”
“That’s what they do in the movies.”
Garrett dragged his hand through his hair. “I’ll be right there.”
This had the potential to go well or epically fail worse than any Pinterest fail that ever went viral. But it was the thought that counted, and he hoped Taryn agreed.
He disconnected from the call. “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need luck.” Margot had her purse strap on her shoulder and car keys in hand. “You’re in love. That’s all you need.”
The knot of unease loosened in his gut. “Let’s go make Taryn’s dream come true.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Monday morning, Taryn woke before her alarm clock rang, not bothering to peer out the window. All she would see was darkness, but it matched her mood. Taryn missed Garrett. He’d texted her yesterday, but she’d spent the day with her mom, so she hadn’t been able to speak to him. He hadn’t answered when she called him last night. Garrett must have been working on a Sunday.
He needed to cut his hours.
You’re one to talk.
Truth. She laughed. But she was planning a vacation in Los Angeles.
She’d impressed her dad with her business plan and ideas. He admitted he’d been trying to make her quit this past year because he and her mother worried she was becoming a workaholic. She had been, but she promised to work on balancing her life better, and he said he would communicate with her better.
Progress.
If only she could make the same with Garrett.
But nothing—not even the lovely spa day with her mom yesterday—stopped her from missing him. She tried to lose herself in baking, but wherever she turned in the kitchen, memories of him surfaced.
Forcing herself out of bed, she French-braided her hair and put on her uniform. That way, she could get right to work, preparing for the morning rush, since she would be the first one at the bakery. She put the lanyard with her keys around her neck. The only things missing?
Her hairnet and cap.
Those were in the office.
Her appetite had been nonexistent, so she didn’t make a cup of coffee. She locked her front door and headed toward First Avenue.
No one was out at this hour. Occasionally, a car passed by, but usually, she was the only one out. The stillness might freak some out, but not Taryn. She enjoyed walking through the town before it woke to start the day.
The lights on the storefronts of First Avenue were dark, but the streetlamps illuminated the sidewalk. Taryn unlocked the bakery’s front door, opened the door with the comforting ding, and locked the door again from the inside, hearing another chime.
She flipped on the lights.
Time to do this.
Taryn turned.
Gasped.
Fresh paint covered the walls. Someone had replaced all the tables and chairs. The fixtures, too. Only…
“It looks like my vision board.”
Well, minus the signs, which she had planned to make herself.
This had to be a dream.
She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them.
Still there.
She pinched herself. “Ouch.”
Feeling pain meant she wasn’t asleep, and this was real.
A thrill shot through her.
But how? Who?
She floated to the new front counter and ran her fingertips along the surface. Everything was perfect, exactly as she imagined when she pored over magazines and catalogs.
Footsteps sounded in the kitchen.
Taryn straightened. “Jayden.”
Garrett came out. He wore a Lawson’s Bakery apron and a white cap over his white shirt and jeans. “Welcome to Lawson’s Bakery.”
She glanced around as if someone would jump out and explain what was going on, but no one appeared. “I don’t understand.”
He rocked back on his heels. “The night before Callie and Brandt’s wedding, I saw your plans for the remodel. I wanted to do this for you.”
“You?”
Garrett nodded. “This is your dream, and I want it to come true.”
“Thank you.” Tears blurred her vision. She blinked. It didn’t help. “I wish—”
“The other part of your dream would come true, too.”
Once again, he read her so well. She nodded.
“It can.”
She startled. “Say what?”
“Both of your dreams are coming true, Taryn.” He wiped his hand on the front of the apron. “You’re right. I can work anywhere, but you can’t take this place with you. Lawson’s Bakery is part of your family. It’s your legacy. And I want to help you make it a success.”
She sniffled. “I love you.”
He went around the counter to stand next to her. “I love you.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Believe. And I…”
“What?”
“I want to move to Silver Falls. But even though I have responsibilities as a partner in the firm, and I’m a major rainmaker, I don’t have to take on cases as the lead attorney. I can consult.”
“You love your work. Why would you do that?”
“Because I can’t imagine my life without you in it.” He took a breath. “I love you, and we will make this work. You can come to L.A. with me sometimes. But Silver Falls will be our home base. I want to help you make Lawson’s into the bakery of your dreams. That’s why I had to be here, at this ridiculous hour, to see your face when you arrived. Whatever it takes. Though my baking skills leave a lot to be desired, I’m happy to learn because I believe in you. And in us.”
Her heart pounded. Taryn was in shock, feeling as if she were still dreaming, but she wanted to believe it was real—true.
Contentment flowed through her. “We can do it together. And Jayden’s a manager now, and we’re hiring more staff, so that will give me more free time to go to Los Angeles with you. I miss you when we’re apart.”
“I missed you so much.” He cupped her face. “I love you, Taryn. I love how caring you are, how generous and loyal and kind, how organized you are, and how you bake incredible desserts. I love your creativity and your dimples. I love your kisses and every single thing about you.”
Tears of happiness welled in her eyes. This had to be a dream, right? “I love you.”
He rested his forehead against her. “We can go slow, whatever it takes. Just tell me you’re in it for the long term.”
“I am.” She placed her hand over his heart and felt the beat against her palm. “We shared a slice of summer, but I’m in this forever.”
“Okay, since you said forever.” He dropped onto one knee, removed the ring box from his pocket, and opened it.
Taryn gasped. She covered her mouth with her hands.
“I can�
�t imagine my life without you in it.” Garrett held out the ring. “Will you marry me?”
Taryn dropped to her knees. “Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
He put the ring on her finger. A perfect fit. “I love you.”
The diamond shot prisms around the bakery. She sighed.
“Thanks for making my dreams come true and loving me.” She raised her chin and kissed him on the lips. “I love you so much.”
The End
Want more? Check out Callie and Brandt’s story in The Christmas Window!
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Silver Falls series
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Book 2: A Slice of Summer
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