Rosie pointed toward the middle of the store as she slapped some wrapping paper on a trio of books. “Last spotted in the romance section. Follow the scent of nachos.”
“I’ll see you at book club tonight.” I kissed my grandmother’s cheek, then wove in between shelves and beautifully decorated displays. The holiday cozy novel section was a personal favorite. I thought Rosie’s miniature Christmas tree adorned with poison bottles and faux murder weapons qualified as borderline genius.
Now that Celeste and Flair no longer controlled my life, I’d dedicated more time to helping at the Lost Story, turning Rosie’s marketing plan up a few decibels until it blasted even more fun and community, luring in customers and book lovers like never before. Rosie had hired extra staff last week and was currently interviewing for a store manager.
I spotted the top of Lachlan’s head over a bookshelf and smiled. That handsome fellow was my husband. And my boss.
Starting next week I’d be the new senior brand manager for Star Gazer Corporation. We’d recruited Elton as well. His sign-on perks included a bonus, the freedom to bring FeeFee to the office anytime he wanted, and the assurance our conference rooms wouldn’t smell like sawdust and well water. New York and big city PR firms no longer held the same appeal that they once had. But Lachlan and the life we’d build in Sugar Creek? This was what my new dreams were made of.
Lachlan stood in the romance section, studying the colorful spines. I snuck up behind him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and pressed my cheek to his back. “The new Whitney Nicole book is a good one. It’s set on a dude ranch, if you’re into cowboys.”
With a quiet laugh, Lachlan turned and held me in a warm, flannel embrace. “I’ll just borrow your copy.” He kissed me right in the store, as if he didn’t care to scandalize books and patrons. They were all used to it by now anyway. “I’m more into the sexy public relations type. The kind who end up with tall, devastatingly handsome tech nerds.”
“What a coincidence,” I said. “That’s my new favorite too.”
He released me and pulled a list from his pocket. “I’m shopping for Sylvie. Come help me find the book she requested.”
I peered closer at the massive list. “She asked you for seventy-one things?”
Lachlan nodded. “That was after a deep edit.” He pointed to item number forty-two. “Rosie swears this book is here, but it’s hiding.”
“Fine.” I sighed dramatically. “But then you ply me with tacos. The urban fantasy romance is on the next aisle. Let’s go.”
With my husband’s hand in mine, I tugged him around the shelf and into the next aisle where...
Where a blanket sat anchored by a picnic basket, candles, and a bottle of wine?
“What’s going on?” I heard myself ask. “Lachlan?” Receiving no answer, I turned around.
And found Lachlan kneeling on one knee in the Lost Story, while my entire family stood behind him. There was Sylvie, Frannie in a new wig, my parents, my sisters, and even my brother Colin.
“Oh.” Tears immediately welled. “I don’t think this bookshop event was cleared by marketing.”
“I have the owner’s permission.” Lachlan reached for my hand and clasped it in his. “Olivia, you came into my life in the most unexpected, life-changing, and highly illegal way.” His grin would still melt my heart sixty years from now when my hair was white and our grandchildren forgot to call. “You became my best friend in a short time, filling a space in my heart I’d assumed was forever off-limits. You challenged me, you encouraged me, and you made me laugh. You also made me want to kiss you the first day I moved you home.”
I probably would’ve punched him if he had.
With a laugh, Lachlan sniffed and swiped at the tears now glimmering in his green eyes. Heavens, I loved this man.
“I once thought love was for movies and games,” Lachlan said. “But you came along and taught me love really could be for me too. Olivia, I want to spend forever with you. You, and your bossiness, your constant planning to the last detail—”
“I’ve backed off a lot,” I said toward my family. “I need that noted.”
“Your occasional planning to the last detail,” Lachlan amended. “I love the way you take lead when we dance in the kitchen, the way you hog the TV remote, and I’ve even come to appreciate the way you steal my gaming sweatshirts when you think I don’t notice. But I do." He kissed the top of my hand. "Because I notice everything about you, wife. It’s my new favorite pastime. Well, that and beating you atMars Wars.”
“I’m closing in on his score,” I told our audience. “And he’s scared.”
Lachlan smiled. “What I love about you most, Olivia, is your heart. You love fiercely and your loyalty is unmatched. You work hard at everything you put your intentions to, and the very thought that you’re mine still takes my breath away every day.”
Oh, goodness. This was better than any novel I’d ever read. And it was all mine.
“So, Olivia Sutton Hayes.” Lachlan clasped my fingers even tighter. “Will you marry me?”
I gave a watery nod. “But we are married.”
“I’m so confused,” I heard Colin say.
“I was told there’d be tacos?” from Frannie.
