Her Billionaire Betrayal (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 3)
Page 21
Indigo was dazed as she took in the wide front porch and large bay window. Could she really have the Silver Stitch here? “Next week,” she sputtered before her senses returned. Exhilaration filled her. This could be her dream. Images and visions of her in the space, working with brides, filled her with fancy. But … She furrowed her brow. “I don’t want a deal. I’ll pay you first and last months’ rent and the same deposit the prior owner was asking, along with the same amount for the monthly rent. I have to prove to myself that I can do this, Cole.”
“I completely agree,” Cole replied. “I’ll ask Landon to write up a contract, if that suits you.”
“Yes, it suits me just fine.” She grinned before rushing to him and launching herself into his arms. Cole caught her and swung her around. “Thank you,” she whispered as she buried her nose in his neck. “Thank you for this. You won’t be sorry.”
Cole placed Indigo gently on the ground. “I already know that,” he whispered as he bent down for a kiss.
Indigo received Cole’s mouth on hers, blossoming like a tight bud that had only needed the sun to fully open.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Three months later, Indigo sat on the park bench, her fingers entwined with Cole’s as they watched six young couples float through their ballroom dance; the dark green costumes mirrored the mature leaves of the surrounding forest. Every time the girls twirled, trails of rhinestones shimmered in the sun as if silver dew or raindrops were falling from the leaves.
The kids knew their dance so well that they were able to completely give themselves over to the performance and the connection they were creating—not just with their partner, but with the audience. Everyone watched with rapt attention as they took in the performance of harmony and beauty coming together to create a sense of communion as the children bowed and moved in concert with each other and the music.
Bending toward Cole, Indigo whispered, “It looks almost like magic, doesn’t it?”
“It certainly does,” Cole replied. “But isn’t magic the result of all good connections?”
Indigo smiled and nuzzled into Cole. “Yeah.”
The last note of the music faded, and the kids moved from their pose. They came together in a line and bowed to the applause before filing off the stage as practiced.
Indigo’s gaze was drawn to Isabella. The girl’s blond hair flowed down her back as loose curls framed her face. Her mother approached and pulled her daughter into a hug as other parents gathered around. Cara and Phillip stood in the midst of the celebration and caught Indigo’s eyes, motioning that she and Cole should join their celebration.
They rose, and Cole casually placed his arm around her as they made their way through the crowd to the dancers and the adults. The energy from their lovely performance emanated from the kids like sparks from a fire as they high-fived each other and offered hugs of happy congratulations.
“You were wonderful!” Indigo cheered as the kids mobbed her in a hug.
“Thank you so much for the costume,” Isabella said, squeezing Indigo’s hand. “I’ll always remember this day.” She reached out to Cole with a quick childlike embrace. “And thank you, Mr. Demetrius, for making all of this possible.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Cole replied. “All of you looked beautiful. I have a videographer here, so I’ll get copies to each of you as soon as I can.”
The kids nodded with happy surprise.
“We’re going to stop off at The Sweet Shoppe next door. We hear Brooklyn has created a new flavor of fudge, and we want to try it before we head out for pizza,” Phillip said. “Would you like to join us?”
Cole gave Indigo a quick look before shaking his head. “No. I’ve got something I need to show Indi. But thanks for the invitation.”
“Sure thing.” He and Cara began herding kids across the park to the fudge store.
Indigo winced. “I hope they change before eating fudge and pizza.”
Cole took her hand and led her to the Tesla. “When you started this project, you told me that your finished product would be perfect, but that you couldn’t be responsible for what happened to it once it left your hands.”
Indigo laughed. “Thanks for the reminder.” She turned toward Cole. “What’s next?”
“Come with me.” The doors to the Tesla opened, and Cole drove to the Crescent Hotel. Walking along the spring lawn, they took in the June roses, daylilies, and late-blooming azaleas mingled with butterfly weed and ground-hugging impatiens. “It looks as if they’re preparing for another wedding.” Cole tucked Indigo’s arm through his own as they wandered the beautiful garden.
Indigo agreed, taking in the busy attendants setting up chairs and making sure everything was in the right place. She moved away from the organized activity and raised her face to the sun, closing her eyes. Cole stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders, his presence mingling with the sun, warming her, the scent of summer flowers hovering on the breeze. Opening her eyes, she turned to Cole. “What is it you need to show me?”
He led Indigo to a quiet space in the garden, where they sat on a bench. Without any warning, Cole pulled a diamond ring from his pocket.
Indigo covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes growing large and round. “Cole,” she whispered with a surprised breath as joy caught up with her awed astonishment. Could this indicate her fondest wish to marry Cole? Dared she hope?
The ring held a bright two-carat solitaire. The band was encrusted with emeralds. “They’re the same color as the ballroom costumes.” His voice was gentle. “It’s what brought us together.” Cole dropped to one knee. She looked from the ring and into his brown eyes full of question and uncertainty. “Marry me?” he asked. “I know we’ve got a long way to go, but I don’t want to make the journey without you.”
Indigo cupped Cole’s face in her hands, her eyes locked with his. Happy contentment danced within her with the same grace she had witnessed just moments before in the children. All of it was thanks to this man who was now on bended knee. It wasn’t perfect, but it was connected and intimately beautiful. Loving jubilation filled her. “Yes.” She pulled him up to his feet, placing her arms around him and burying her nose in his neck. His five-o’clock shadow tickled her cheek, and the realization that he would always be beside her left her exuberant. “I will marry you.” Pulling slightly away, she looked at him with shining eyes.
Cole placed the ring over her finger before taking both of her hands into his. His fingers rubbed over Sam’s wedding ring, drawing Indigo’s attention. The small diamonds still held their glow, as they should. After all, Sam was a part of who she was, even now. A sweet tenderness that required honesty and truth but also love and memory.
“I love you, Indi.” Cole’s breath whispered against Indigo’s cheek before his mouth met hers with the same ardent desire she remembered from their first kiss on the lake.
Indigo shifted closer, reaching up to place her arms around Cole’s neck. “And I love you.” Hot, fervent, and eager yearning moved through Indigo, traveling through her as she melted into the smooth love and familiarity of Cole’s lips on hers. In spite of their months together, this kiss was brand new with surprise and passion, and it invited her to explore him as she had wished that night under the stars when his mouth caressed hers for the first time.
His hair was soft and thick to her touch, and the warmth of his lips matched her urgency in their shared and growing adoration. Profound gratitude welled up from deep within Indigo as she pulled slightly away and searched Cole’s eyes. The earlier uncertainty was gone, replaced with a glow of devotion. Finally, she had found the lover of her soul.
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About the Author
Danni Lee Nicholls wrote her first story when she was ten-years-old, and she’s been putting pen to paper ever since. When she isn’t writing, she can be found reading or playing outside. She loves hiking the forested mountains and beaches of her Pacific Northwest home with her husband and mischievous Golden Retriever, even though these adventures leave her as wet and muddy as the pup.
You can learn more about Danni and her books at www.dannileenicholls.com. Check out her Facebook page or sign up for her newsletter by clicking here.