by Kay Correll
She grinned right back at him.
Cece and Abby came out of the kitchen area. “Hi, boys.” Cece walked over and hugged Pete.
“I only had an early class today, so I decided to run Cody back here to the cabin.” Pete looked over his mother’s shoulder. “Aunt Abby, you’re back.”
“I came to help pack up.”
“I thought Mom said Aunt Bree was going to stay in the cabin and we weren’t going to sell.” Pete glanced at Cody. “Darn it. Mom said not to say anything until your mom had a chance to talk to you.”
“Mom, are you staying at the cabin?” Cody looked at her.
“I was trying to work it out. But I can’t quite swing the money.”
“I’m sorry boys, but I need my portion of the proceeds from the sale.” Abby set down a box she was holding. “I have some... debts... I need to pay off.”
Bree turned and frowned at Abby. “What kind of debts?”
“I...” Abby blushed. “I have some gambling debts.”
“Gambling. I didn’t know you gambled.” Cece walked over to Abby.
“It appears I’m also horrible with money. I’m just in over my head now.”
Bree thought about Abby’s fancy, expensive condo and car. She wasn’t sure about this whole needing money thing.
Abby’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m selling my condo. I already sold my car. I’m moving to a tiny, crummy apartment.” She let out a long sigh. “My life is a mess. If I could afford to let you pay me off over time, I would. I just don’t have the time, and I’m running out of options.”
Bree walked over and put a hand on Abby’s arm. “Why didn’t you just tell us?”
“I was so ashamed. I’m terrible with money, really I am. I never seem to have anything left over.”
Pete walked up to them. “So, Aunt Bree was going to stay at the cabin and pay off Aunt Abby’s portion over time? And, Mom, you’re okay with keeping the cabin? You don’t need the money from the sale?”
“I’m fine with it. I wanted to keep the cabin in the family. It’s breaking my heart to think other people will own it. They’ll be here with their families. Making their own memories.” Cece sighed. “But, it’s just what it is.”
“What if I bought out Aunt Abby?”
“You?” Cody’s eyes widened.
“I have some money from Dad’s parents. It was a trust they’d established for Dad... but then he died. It’s mine now. What if I own part of the cabin? Would that work?”
“Petey—Pete—are you sure you want to spend the trust money on the cabin?” Cece placed her hand on her son’s arm.
“I like having the cabin. I like that we’ve been together here these last few weeks. It would be cool to have Aunt Bree here, too. I have the scholarship for college. I’m doing fine.”
“I could pay you back over time.” Bree looked at Pete and could only see Peter standing there. Offering her a way to make things work out. In a strange way, it felt like Peter was asking for forgiveness.
“Or I could be part owner of the cabin.” Pete shrugged.
Cece threw her arms around him. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. A good investment for you, too, the way the prices are rising around here.”
Cody grinned. “This is turning out to be one of the best trips ever.” He turned to her. “And if you’re staying here... would you mind if I moved in with you? I’m kind of tired of being in the way at Dad’s... and... I’ve missed you, Mom.”
She gave him a big hug, so glad to have him here where she could wrap her arms around him. “Yes, of course. I’d love that.”
“I still think I want to live in the barracks at the lodge with the other kids this summer. Is that okay?”
“Yes, that’s fine.” He’d still be here. Near her. She’d see him and have a chance to get close to him again. Her world was settling into place faster than she could ever have imagined.
Jason stepped forward. “Abby, if you’ll let me, I could help you sort out your debts. Help you make a budget.”
“You should let him. Nora says he’s kind of a genius with money.” Bree smiled at Jason.
“I accept. I think I need all the help I can get.”
“Perfect.” Jason walked back to Bree and draped his arm around her shoulders. It felt right and comfortable, and she was just where she needed to be.
“We’ve got one more complication, though.” Jason looked down at her.
“What’s that?” Bree frowned.
“Mom said that Beth and Mac need to move their wedding up because Beth insists Sophie has to be here, and Sophie and Chase are leaving for a world tour. So, they’re planning on getting married in two weeks. Think you guys can pull it off?”
Bree grinned. “Boys, you going to help serve again?”
“We’re in.” Pete grinned.
“I can come back and help, too.” Cece stood with her arm around Pete.
And just like that, the Stuart girls made peace with their past and their present. Bree looked at her sisters. The sisters who finally had a future together again.
Yes, everything was right in her world.
Everyone started talking and laughing at once, and Jason pulled her aside, standing in front of her with his arms around her waist. “It’s good to see you so happy, Breester.”
“It feels good to be this happy.” Her heart filled with joy and contentment. She’d never felt so happy, like she was right where she belonged.
He gave her a lopsided grin. “I’m hoping to make you even happier.”
“I’m not sure that’s possible.”
“We’ll see, Breester. We’ll see.” He gave her a quick kiss as if making her a promise.
Chapter 26
Beth stood in her mother’s cabin getting ready for the wedding. She glanced at her watch for the hundredth time. “I’m afraid Sophie isn’t going to make it.”
“She’ll make it if she can. That snow storm has all the flight travel snarled.” Nora stood behind Beth, brushing her hair.
“I can’t get married without Sophie here. I can’t.”
“Of course you can. I know that Sophie will be disappointed, but Mac is here. That’s the only one that truly matters.”
“You’re right.” Beth sighed. “But I still want her here.”
The door to the cabin flew open, and a burst of cold air and snow blew in. “I’m here.” Sophie rushed over and hugged Beth.
“I thought your flight got cancelled.”
“About that. We only made it as far as Kansas City. But then Chase found us a flight to Albuquerque. Then we rented a car. Long drive. But I’m here.”
Beth hugged her friend. “I’m so glad you made it.”
“There’s nothing that could have kept me away. Even a silly snow storm. Though we lost our luggage along the way. I had a dress picked out, but now I’ll need to run to my apartment and find something.”
“You can come just like you are. I don’t care.”
Sophie kissed her cheek. “You just give me a few minutes. I’ll be back with a dress and I’ll help you finish getting ready.”
Beth looked at her mother after Sophie left. “Now, now I feel like it’s going to be the perfect wedding.”
Nora sat by Annie’s side and watch as Beth and Mac recited their vows. She couldn’t be more pleased with Beth’s choice. Mac was a fine man and made her daughter happy. Jason, Trevor, and Connor stood beside Beth and Mac. Along with Sophie... who was crying and swiping at the tears rolling down her cheeks.
“She looks beautiful,” Annie whispered.
“She does.” Nora looked at her friend sitting next to her husband. Nick had Annie’s hand firmly in his.
So much happiness surrounded her today. She didn’t know what the future may bring, but right now, in this moment, everything was just perfect.
She turned back to Beth and Mac and listened as they spoke the vows they had written together. Words of love and commitment.
She thought back on her own wedd
ing day when she’d married Jason and Beth’s father. She missed the man dearly, every single day since he’d passed away. But today, she felt his presence, looking down on his daughter.
Mac kissed Beth and everyone broke into applause. He took Beth’s hand, and the smile on his face told Nora everything she needed to know. Mac and Beth were going to be happy. Very happy. He was going to protect her and be by her side no matter what life threw at them.
And in the end, a person couldn’t ask for much more than that, could they?
Chapter 27
Jason stood by her side on the hilltop between her cabin and the lodge. Snow fell gently around them, blanketing the landscape with a delicate white covering. She leaned back against him as they watched the last rays of the sun peek through the storm clouds.
“This gazebo was a great addition to the hill.” She sighed in contentment.
“It was, if I do say so myself.” His voice was a warm kiss against her cheek.
“You know how I said I wanted to make you even happier?”
“Not possible, Jase. Not possible.”
He turned her around to face him and tilted her face up to look at him. “I do want to spend my life making you happy. I love you. And I’m so grateful we got this second chance.”
“Me, too.” She slipped off her glove and reached up to touch his face.
“So... I was thinking... I was wondering...”
She laughed. “Wondering what?”
He dropped to one knee, and her eyes widened.
“I was hoping that you’d marry me. Will you marry me?” He held out a ring in the palm of his hand.
The world stopped. She drew no breath. Her heart swelled in her chest. “Oh, Jason. Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He slid the ring on her finger and she stared down at it. He jumped to his feet, scooped her up, and swung her around. She laughed when he finally set her down and kissed her.
She pulled away and looked at him, his face covered in a wide grin. “Oh, and Jase?”
“What?”
“You were right. You did make me even happier.”
A self-satisfied look crossed his face and he winked at her. “Told you.” Then he kissed her again.
Also by Kay Correll
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Comfort Crossing ~ The Series
Did you miss the start of this series? Click here to get the first book for free now! The Shop on Main - Book One
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See all my books at my website.
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COMFORT CROSSING ~ THE SERIES
The Shop on Main - Book One
The Memory Box - Book Two
The Christmas Cottage - A Holiday Novella (Book 2.5)
The Letter - Book Three
The Christmas Scarf - A Holiday Novella (Book 3.5)
The Magnolia Cafe - Book Four
The Unexpected Wedding - Book Five
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The Wedding in the Grove (crossover short story between the Comfort Crossing and Lighthouse Point series - Josephine and Paul from The Letter.)
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LIGHTHOUSE POINT ~ THE SERIES
Wish Upon a Shell - Book One
Wedding on the Beach - Book Two
Love at the Lighthouse - Book Three
Cottage near the Point - Book Four
Return to the Island - Book Five
Bungalow by the Bay - Book Six
Click here to learn more about the series.
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SWEET RIVER ~ THE SERIES
A Dream to Believe In - Book One
A Memory to Cherish - Book Two
A Song to Remember - Book Three
A Time to Forgive - Book Four
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INDIGO BAY ~ a multi-author series of sweet romance
Sweet Sunrise - Book Three
Sweet Holiday Memories - A short holiday story
Sweet Starlight - Book Nine
About the Author
Kay writes sweet, heartwarming stories that are a cross between women’s fiction and contemporary romance. She is known for her charming small towns, quirky townsfolk, and enduring strong friendships between the women in her books.
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Kay lives in the Midwest of the U.S. and can often be found out and about with her camera, taking a myriad of photographs which she likes to incorporate into her book covers. When not lost in her writing or photography, she can be found spending time with her ever-supportive husband, knitting, or playing with her puppies—two cavaliers and one naughty but adorable Australian shepherd. Kay and her husband also love to travel. When it comes to vacation time, she is torn between a nice trip to the beach or the mountains—but the mountains only get considered in the summer—she swears she’s allergic to snow.
Learn more about Kay and her books at kaycorrell.com
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