Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
"How did you do this?" I ask, loving it all. The house could be in a Hallmark Christmas movie. There are lights wrapped around the porch railing, wreaths hanging on the doors and windows, and the soft glow of window candles.
The curtains have been pulled back, and you can see into the living room, where a giant tree is lit up. It had been bare when I'd seen it last, and now it’s picture-perfect.
"This town, and pure determination." He scoops me into his arms again, carrying me into the house.
“That’s for after we’re married.”
“I can do it then too. I enjoy carrying you.” He takes me right over to the Christmas tree for me to see. There is a giant pile of presents that hadn’t been there this morning, but I could have missed it.
A lot went on last night, and I was more shocked with all my stuff being here; I could have missed everything else. Cash had fully moved me in yesterday. He’s a sneaky bastard, and I love it. It's rare to get anything done in this town and for me to not know about it. I’ll give everyone a one-time pass for their secret-keeping, but that’s it.
“Thank you.” I can hear the emotion in my own voice. Everything is perfect. All of my dreams are finally coming true, and I know it’s due to the man holding me.
“I should be thanking you, Kindred. You’re the reason for all of this. The love, the joy, and the happiness. You bring them out in everyone. In me.” I feel a tear slip down my face. Cash puts me on my feet next to the tree. His finger comes to my face to wipe the tear away.
“A girl could get used to all of these compliments.”
A smile forms on his handsome face. “This next part is going to be hard for me.” He drops to a knee in front of me. Reaching under the cushions, he pulls out a red box.
“Hold on here.” He doesn’t hold on. He plucks the ring out of the box. “Why is this part hard?” He’s about to get it and not in a good way.
“Because I know you enjoy traditions, and I don’t want to ask you to marry me.” A small laugh leaves me as I start to get it.
“We can make our own traditions.”
“Hold out your hand, Cupcake.” I stare down at him. “Now,” he orders, and I do as I’m told. Cash slips the ring onto my finger.
“Holy shit,” I whisper when I see the ring. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I freaking love it. It’s unique, having two giant diamonds. One is emerald-cut, and the other is pear-shaped, nestled up against each other. It’s unlike anything I have seen before.
“I figured since I’m loaded and all, you’d want two diamonds.”
“Cash.” I want to both laugh and cry. I’m a freaking mess.
“It caught my eye when I saw it. It was different and stood out among the rest. It reminded me of you.”
“Oh my God, of course I’ll marry you.” I fling myself at him. He wraps his arms around me and turns, pinning me to the floor beneath him.
“I wasn’t asking.”
“Right.” Of course not. I love his bossy orders.
“You’re everything to me, Kindred. All the things I thought I could never have in one sweet package.”
“So I’m like the best Christmas present ever.”
“The best,” he chuckles.
“Just put me right under the tree.”
“Nope, I’m opening this gift early.” He tugs at the top of my dress, making the straps snap.
“It’s gonna cost you,” I tease him.
“How much we talking?”
“It’s a pretty hefty price tag. I don’t know if you can afford it.”
“Try me.”
“Forever.”
I know my man has that more than covered.
Epilogue
CASH
YEARS LATER
My girls are terrible singers, just like their mother. All three are singing loudly and bouncing around the living room. How they can sing and watch a Christmas movie at the same time, I have not a clue, but it’s adorable as hell.
My wife has given me three beautiful little girls. Each time they’d tell us it was a girl, Kindred would announce that she knew that already. The woman has a freaky skill of being able to do that with any pregnancy. She told me Kelly from the diner was pregnant with a boy before Kelly knew she was pregnant.
Kindred said I would only give her girls because great girl dads are hard to come by, and I was made to be one. That shit hit me hard, and I strive every day to be the best dad for them. I know a huge part of that is them seeing me with their mama. How I treat her sets an example, and I’m making the bar almost impossible to reach.
Our middle and wildest child bounces over to me. "You think they're dry?" She wiggles her fingers, showing off her nail polish that I put on five minutes ago.