Until Tomorrow (Boot Creek Book 3)
Page 25
“I promised I’d make you my fried pork tenderloin.”
“You did,” she said quietly.
“I couldn’t break a promise to you.”
She blinked as if she wasn’t sure it was really happening. Then she looked to Angie. “You?”
Angie shook her head. “Not me.”
Ford put the plate on the table. “I won’t ever break a promise to you. I love you, Flynn.”
“But this is so—”
“Fast. I know. It’s fast, but it’s right.”
“Your whole world is in Alaska. Mine is here.”
“My whole world is not in Alaska. You’re not there.” He spread his arms wide. “I spoke with the second bidder. If I want to sell, they want to buy that property.”
“But that’s your dream.”
He laid a box in front of her. The white satin ribbon was wrapped around a plain cardboard box. She slid it off and took off the top.
Billy ran to her side. “What’s your present, Aunt Flynn?”
She pulled back the cotton. Four compartments separated the items. Each wrapped in bubble wrap.
“Please tell me you want a life with me. If you say no, I’ve got nothing. I think I knew the day I met you.”
She lifted her left hand to her face, sweeping at the corner of her eye. She unwrapped the bubble wrap, recognizing the shooting star shapes that had been carefully wrapped. The blue and orange colors shone through the bubble wrap. She could guess what those were. She pinched her fingers at the corner of the wrap with the hint of pink under it. Fluffy cotton candy clouds.
“Those are so pretty,” Billy said, reaching a finger toward one but stopping short.
“You made these,” she said.
Ford nodded. “I made the last one yesterday. PRIZM let me come in for an hour to make them. Three was my dream. Four sounds even more perfect. I want to spend my life with you, Flynn. I can do that here in Boot Creek.”
“No, Ford. You’d regret giving up your dream. I can’t let you do that.”
“You can’t not let me. I want to be with you. We’ll keep my house in Alaska. We can stay there a few months a year. We’ll figure something out. Are you willing to give it a try with me?”
Kiss the prince.
“I am, but I’m not sure staying here is the answer.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m willing to discuss it, compromise, come up with the right answer for the two of us.”
“Giving up the B&B?”
She nodded. “My grandmother is a wise woman. She asked me what good was having the dream house, the castle, if you didn’t have the right Prince Charming.”
“Am I your Prince Charming?” He’d make any sacrifice to be with her, even give up the chance of having it all in Alaska. It was worth whatever it took for them to be together.
“Forever, I hope.”
Ford took her hands and she stood in front of him. “Me too. I want you to come with me to Tennessee. I’m way overdue mending fences at home, and I want you to meet my family.”
“I’d love that. And it’s Pop-pop’s birthday.”
“You remembered?”
“Of course I did. It’s special to you.”
“And you’re special to me too. I really want you to meet him.”
“We shouldn’t put that off. We never know how many tomorrows we’ll have.”
“He’s going to adore you.” He held his hands out, palms up, and she laid her hands in his.
“Flynn Crane, there are no guarantees how many tomorrows we’ll have, but I can promise you this, I want to spend every single one of mine with you.”
“And I’ll be yours until tomorrow . . . every single day.”
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Pam Murray and her family for inviting me to join them on a two-week vacation through Alaska. It was a trip of a lifetime, and it was during our glassblowing excursion that the hero of this book came to life for me. Who knew there was something so strong and sexy about blowing glass?
And to all of my friends who succumb to my sometimes close-to-crazy enthusiasm to try something new, or drop everything and go somewhere . . . thanks. It’s those moments of a lifetime that help me bring fresh stories to the page and ultimately to the reader. Without y’all, it wouldn’t be nearly as fun.
To my Montlake team: Chris Werner, Jennifer Glover, Krista Stroever, Jessica Poore, and the whole gang over at Montlake Romance, y’all make this Montlake Girl feel like she can do anything. Thank you for helping me become a better writer with every single book and for making this dream come true.
I’m truly blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful extended family who loves and believes in me. Thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made as I follow this dream. I love you all.
And to Dakota, my chocolate Lab, who lies faithfully at my feet through every draft, naps with me when I’m exhausted, and snacks with me through the edits—there’s a percentage of royalties that will be tagged for doggie treats just for you!
About the Author
Photo © 2016 Adam Sanner
USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her popular contemporary romance series Adams Grove while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre farm. She went on to produce works in collaboration with other authors, including the Granny series. Now happily retired from a career in finance, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and enjoying the occasional spa day with friends. A Virginia girl at heart, Nancy now calls North Carolina home.