“Oh, I know all about Ghost Fest,” I assured, attempting to tug my hand from its place on his chest. It felt too intimate, and it was making my thoughts fuzzy. It wasn’t like me to be sassy, but seeing Cruz pop up out of nowhere left me feeling raw and exposed. “I saw the photos with your new girlfriend.”
“Excuse me?” Cruz choked out, staring at me like I’d said something foul.
“The woman with the hair that belongs in the shampoo commercials? Pale, creamy skin? Hovering over you at Ghost Fest? Ringing any bells?” I asked like I was speaking to a first-grader. Did he really think he could keep his relationship a secret?
“Are you talking about Elexis?” Cruz asked, eyebrows scrunched together as he held my hand in place. “Red hair? Tall?”
“You forgot the gorgeous part in your description,” I said dryly with one last tug of my hand.
“She’s my temporary assistant,” Cruz said, a smile lighting up his face. “Aimee had to go back to England for a family emergency. Elexis is just filling in until Aimee gets back.”
“Right,” I breathed out, trying to stop the prism of optimism shimmering in my chest. Cruz never lied to me, but I needed to tread carefully. I crossed my arms expectantly, waiting for him to continue.
“Elexis is a paid employee, Lexi. I’d never mess around with an assistant.” Cruz tilted his head, a frown marring his handsome face. “Besides, you didn’t think our time was up, did you? I haven’t been able to sleep lately because I’ve missed you so much.” My eyes skimmed the dark circles rimming his eyes. He did look exhausted. “When you didn’t call back, I spoke to Ivy, and she said you were upset about something but that she wasn’t getting in the middle of it because you’d kill her. Well, she told me that after she called me a few names.” Cruz pursed his lips at the memory. “I got here as soon as I could. I missed you so much, Lexi.” My breath hitched as he implored me to believe him. His eyes didn’t hide the tiny flicks of desire as he gazed at me. He ran his thumb over my bottom lip while I weighed my options. “How could I move on after you and I connected like that?”
My breathing stuttered. “She’s your assistant? Not, like, your—” I knew my voice had hope tinged to it, but I couldn’t help it.
“Definitely not,” Cruz chuckled. “She’s married.”
“But Flibbertigibbet said you and she were—”
“What did I tell you about believing what you read online?” Cruz growled quietly. My eyes shot up to his, and he leaned down toward me. “I’m with you, Sunshine.”
“But you said on the phone that things changed.”
Cruz quirked an eyebrow. “So you did get my messages.” I lifted a limp shoulder in response. “What am I going to do with you?” He sighed. “Things did change.” He scrubbed a hand over his tired face. “I left the show.”
I gasped, eyes shooting wide. “But that’s your job. People love that show, and you were just starting to make a name for yourself.” The tabloids even said so, but I left that part out.
“It’s not what I want to be known for,” Cruz replied, walking back to the oven and checking on something. “I told them my heart wasn’t in it. They let me out of the contract and found a replacement.” He shrugged.
“Already?” I asked, surprised. “Who could replace you?”
Cruz let out a throaty laugh. “Looks like Bianca finally found her calling.”
My mouth fell open so fast it felt like I pulled a tendon in my jaw. Bianca Sutherland, woman who pretended not to see spirits, was the new host of a paranormal TV show about spirits? How fitting.
“The media loves her, and that’s guaranteed hype and ratings. Alex signed her the day after I let him know I was out.”
“I’ll be,” I muttered, shaking my head. “So, what’s this?” I pointed to the kitchen table.
“My attempt at being romantic,” Cruz replied, pouring a glass of wine and pulling out a chair for me. “Now, I’m not the best cook, but I have reason to believe that I’ll get better with time since the woman I love is kind of famous for her baking. It’s bound to rub off.”
I whipped my head around and slammed the wineglass on the table, causing the red liquid to slosh over the side. “What did you just say?”
“You’re kind of famous for baking?” Cruz answered, the corners of his lips quirking.
“No, not that,” I whispered, fiddling with my hands anxiously.
“The part where I said I love you?” he asked. Before the words were out of his mouth, I grabbed his face and held it still, studying his eyes for the truth. I got all the answer I needed in those tranquil emerald pools. And like a starving woman desperate for a meal, I pulled his lips to mine.
Finally. Now that he was here, I could finally admit to myself what I’d been carefully avoiding the last few weeks. It had hurt to think he’d moved on so fast and hadn’t felt the same impact of our shared time together. But that’s what I got for assuming. I should have known better than to take online gossip at face value.
Most importantly, I admitted to myself that my heart didn’t beat faster simply because he was different from every other guy I had dated. Cruz and I weren’t a fluke.
We were love.
“We should probably talk, huh?” Cruz said, turning serious as our kiss faded.
“About what?” I asked, winding my fingers through his.
“You and me.” He bit his lip, which I knew was a nervous habit. A very distracting, yummy nervous habit.
“Okay …” I drew out, grabbing my wineglass and taking a healthy drink.
“Wine’s meant to be sipped, you know,” Cruz teased. “Not gulped.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I waved him off. “What are your plans, Cruz? Are you here for a visit, or …”
“I’m staying here in Sage Springs for the foreseeable future,” he said, tone determined.
I stomped on the urge to jump up and down and tackle him in an exuberant show of approval. “What are you going to do now?”
Cruz placed his elbows on the kitchen counter and sent me his most charming grin. “Well, I thought Sweet Stuff could use a business manager who specialized in marketing. Maybe someone with connections.” His eyes twinkled with glee.
“Is that so?” I murmured, pretending to think about his offer. I twisted my mouth in thought. “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it. Are you even qualified?” All through the teasing comment, my insides felt like they were filled with so much happiness I could explode.
“I promise to make it worth your while.” Cruz winked.
I had no doubt about it. “You’re hired.” I returned his smile.
He held up an index finger. “Oh, and I’m hoping you’ll let me woo you.”
The corners of my lips tipped up in a small grin, but I wanted to make sure of a few things before I jumped too far in this time. “Are you sure the show isn’t going to need you?” Heck, the show had been named after him.
Cruz lifted a shoulder in indifference. “I need you, and that’s what matters most. Since you don’t want to leave Sage Springs, I’m sticking around here. Love always finds a way, Sunshine.”
“Cruz,” I said, my eyes filling with tears. “Are you sure?”
“As sure as sunshine,” he said softly, wiping away one of my tears. “I’m not letting a good thing go. You have made me happy for the first time in a long time. You’re what I’ve been missing in life.” Cruz leaned over and squeezed me. “Besides, I’d miss you too damn much if I only visited every once in a while, and who would keep me fed?”
Giggling, I shook my head in wonder. This charismatic ladies’ man was undoubtedly the one for me, and he knew it. On paper we were completely wrong for one another, but in real life we connected in a way that made my heart feel whole.
“Come here, you.” Cruz reached for me and settled me on the counter, placing himself between my knees. “I have something to tell you.”
“And what’s that?” I breathed, now nose to nose with Cruz. The close proximity made my bo
dy warm up a little. Okay, a lot.
“I’m not going to make any promises except for this one: I’m yours. Completely and totally yours, Lexi Alamont.” He looked into each of my eyes, searing my soul. “Please don’t break me.”
The thought of tiny me breaking this big man’s heart nearly made me chuckle, but the way Cruz was begging me with his gaze, I knew this was no joke. He was trusting me enough to take my hand and start ambling down a new path for the both of us. One where there were no certainties or absolutes. One where we were both scared and inexperienced and left feeling our way along.
But it felt right.
I stared right back into his green eyes with as much intensity as he stared into mine. “I’ll be gentle,” I promised. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Barely letting me get the last syllable out, Cruz pounced on me, nibbling his way down my throat. My mouth opened at the same time my heart did. No more uncertainty lurked in its depths.
“Cruz?” I mumbled, dragging my lips away from his for a fraction of a second before he pulled me back to him. The room had taken on a hazy tint, and it wasn’t until I smelled the smoke that I realized it wasn’t actually a haze of lust. Something was on fire, and it wasn’t our love. “Ummm, I think something’s burning.”
Cruz’s head snapped toward the stove, where a thick cloud of gray smoke billowed, and I stared in horror before I lost all composure and giggled. “Shit,” he muttered, carefully setting me on my feet before running over to the stove. “What do I do?” he asked, panic thick in his voice.
Full-on laughing now, I opened the windows and pulled out the remains of a pot roast and vegetables from the oven. Cruz shot me an apologetic frown, shoulders slumping in defeat, before letting out his own low chuckle.
“Maybe I’ll leave the cooking to the pro,” he surmised as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Probably a good idea,” I agreed, lightly biting his lip ring before kissing him again. “Oh, and Cruz? There’s something I need to tell you.” Cruz arched his eyebrows, waiting for me to continue. “Um, remember that magical spring?”
EPILOGUE
A few months later
I smoothed my hand over the dress and locked eyes with Eliza in the mirror.
“You look beautiful,” I said, tearing up. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life.” I looked at Ivy’s reflection and smiled at her. “You too, Grumpelstiltskin.”
Ivy chuckled, straightening her dark purple matron-of-honor dress.
The three of us had come a long way since we’d joined forces. I watched as Eliza straightened her necklace and fluffed her hair nervously. She had moved back to town, found herself, and fallen in love with Jake. She was happy and settled and practically glowing.
I glanced at Ivy, who was tossing M&M’s into her mouth, regardless of messing up her makeup. Gone was the pent-up witch who’d moved to Sage Springs with a chip on her shoulder. Ivy had fallen in love with her ghost, and that changed everything for her.
Love really did have a way of finding its way into improbable situations. And I loved the women standing next to me as if they were my own sisters.
It only fit that we would start this next chapter of life together.
“Are you ready?” Eliza asked, turning and smoothing my hair into place. “You need hairspray.”
“She needs more than hairspray to tame that nest,” Ivy mumbled, earning a reproachful frown from Eliza.
“It’s about time, girls,” my mom said, joining us in the small room. “You all look lovely.” Her eyes landed on mine and she gave me a watery smile. She approached us and gingerly hugged me. “You look magnificent, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I squeezed her hand, willing myself not to actually shed any tears and ruin my makeup.
“Come on, ladies. We’ve got a wedding to celebrate,” she said, shooting me one last smile.
“Are you ready?” I asked my friends as we started down the stairs.
Ivy snorted. “Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that, soon-to-be Mrs. Drakov?”
“She has a point there, Lex,” Eliza chuckled as we lined up outside the space that had been transformed into a grand ballroom at East Truman Sanatorium. Her wedding band sparkled in the light as she grabbed her bouquet.
“Oh, I’m ready, Mrs. Monroe-Brown. I’ve only been waiting for this day my whole life,” I chirped, smiling so brightly my face hurt.
Jake approached us and kissed me on the cheek. “You made a fine choice, Lexi. Cruz is a great guy.”
“See you in there, Lex,” Eliza said, hugging me before she placed her hand on the crook of Jake’s elbow and walking into the ballroom at their cue.
“You look marvelous,” Oliver complimented, squeezing me tightly.
“If you like sparkles,” Ivy added dryly, gesturing to my full gown that was shining with pale pink rhinestones. She winked at me before taking the elbow Oliver offered and starting down the aisle.
“You ready, Cupcake?” Dad asked, smiling at me.
The doors opened and I heard the Wedding March flitting from a harp. I watched as the people and ghosts I loved and had grown up around stood as one, waiting for me to walk down the aisle.
This was it. My heart started beating erratically and I stopped breathing.
And then I laid eyes on Cruz.
He was wearing a black suit with white pinstripes and looked drop-dead gorgeous. I love you, he mouthed, grinning. The light from the chandelier caught his lip ring, and that was all I needed to see in order to calm down.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” I said to my dad as I practically skipped down the aisle, leaving him to jog to catch up with me.
It had finally happened.
I’d fallen in deep, irretrievable, earth-tiltingly magnificent love.
I, Lexi Lou Alamont, had found the kind of love that took my breath away; that made me feel like I was drowning in it. The kind of love that filled me up inside and made me feel whole, but the kind of whole I never even knew existed. The sort of love that made the brightest ray of sunshine seem like a dull glow. The kind of love that left me defenseless but so much stronger. I had finally found that kind of love.
A person can dodge love, refuse to believe in it, and yearn for it without any hope of obtaining it, but it’ll find you. Trust me.
The End
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Always first in my world: Matt and Alex. I love you. Thank you for your patience, support, and encouragement.
My dear Sage Springs readers: Thank you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for taking the time to send me words of encouragement during this phenomenal journey. Thank you for leaving reviews. Thank you for sharing my books with your friends and spreading the word. A writer is nothing without her readers. I am eternally grateful for each and every one of you. It’s because of you that I’m so excited to continue my writing journey.
Erin Dennis: Knowing I have you to root me on during my topsy-turvy path means more than I can put into words. I’m so glad we’re friends.
Sadie Mohr: You listen to me ramble on and on, and you support me so much. You offer invaluable input from the earliest of stages. Thank you, my little sister.
Elizabeth Phelps: Thank you for your enthusiasm, gentle nudging, and for your expert suggestions.
I have an exceptional support squad, and you know who you are. I appreciate you letting me share random thoughts and letting me be part of your lives. I’m a very lucky lady. You’re an elite group of women.
Michelle Files and Tiffany King: Your unwavering confidence in me is appreciated more than you’ll ever know.
The cover for this book is amazing, and I have Kelsey Keeton of K Keeton Designs to thank for that. Let’s not forget what a champ Bella Boehm was for accepting my strange request to be on a book and portray a perky blonde fictional character named Lexi. Storm Bailey made a pretty fantastic Cruz, didn’t he? What a terrific real-life representation of Lexi and Cruz. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Thank you all.
FROM LEXI'S KITCHEN
S’Mohr Crinkles
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 bar of 100 percent baking chocolate squares
1/2 cup butter (or coconut oil)
1 egg
Healthy splash of vanilla extract
A few handfuls of mini marshmallows, cut in half
5 cinnamon graham crackers, finely ground
Preheat oven to 350. Sift together flour and baking soda, set aside. Melt baking chocolate squares. Mix together butter and sugars. Stir in egg and vanilla extract. Add melted chocolate. Slowly add flour mixture (add a sprinkle of cinnamon if you feel the urge). Cover and chill in the refrigerator for around 2 hours. Scoop dough out and roll walnut-sized balls over the graham cracker crumbs. Place the dough onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake for around 9 minutes, remove from oven, and place 4 marshmallow pieces on each cookie. Then put cookies back in oven for 2 minutes. Allow cookies to set on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before moving them to wire racks for cooling. Enjoy!
About Hollie Westring
Hollie Westring lives in Kansas City, Missouri. She loves baking, reading, and exploring historical buildings in her free time. As a child, she preferred running around with a pen and notepad, so it came as no surprise to her family that she wrote Whispers and Wishes in 2013. Actually, it seems as if everyone but Hollie knew she’d one day put fingertip to key and let her imagination run wild. She’s grateful for such supportive family members and friends.
Hollie really enjoys connecting with readers through email, Facebook, and Twitter. If you’d like to stay updated on future projects, bonus scenes, and receive a few recipes while you’re at it, you can sign up for her newsletter on her website.
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