bones. “Why did you do that?” he asks so quietly I have to strain to hear him.
“Because it was important to the community, and it was…important to you,” I say honestly.
Dark lashes fall slowly, and when they open again, he says, “I’ve never met anyone like you, Kira.”
I cringe at the words he threw back at me in anger two days ago. “I thought you said I was no different from the other women in your life.”
“I was wrong.”
“Nate,” I begin, but choke on my words.
“Kira, I never, ever meant to hurt you. I’m not the guy you think I am. I never want to be that guy. I want to be someone you can love and respect, and what you did…” He stops and takes a breath, his chest rattling a bit. “I would never ask that of you. You know that, right?”
“I do. I wanted to talk to you. I was going to stop by your place this morning.” I turn and point to the buggy. “This was you?”
“Yes.”
I glance around the clearing, take in the trees around us. “Why did you bring me here?”
“I’m not tearing Gram’s studio down.”
“Nate, no, we have to,” I say quickly, panic erupting inside me. “It’s important, and Gram would want that. With the money from the sale, I’ll rebuild at some point.”
“No, you won’t. I purchased this land yesterday.” He waves his hands around, and I angle my head, my brain trying hard to keep up.
“I don’t understand. What do you want this land for?”
“We’re going to move the studio here.”
My heart stops beating. “Wait, what?”
He waves his hand again. “It’s not the same, Kira. I know that. But at least it’s close enough to town that people can walk here.”
“You’re wrong,” I say, and a line forms in his forehead as he frowns, those deep green eyes of his filled with worry.
“I thought you’d like this,” he says
“You’re wrong, Nate. It’s not the same.”
“I know but—”
“It’s better,” I say, cutting him off. “This location is perfect, and accessible to more people.”
He reaches out and tentatively cups my elbow. When I don’t pull back, he says, “Kira, I’m sorry for the things I said.”
“I reacted, because—”
“Because you’ve been hurt before. But I’ll never hurt you. I promise.” He swallows hard. “I don’t want you to go.”
“I don’t want to go. I want to stay here at the B&B, work at the local university, and keep the rooms open for Izzy and the guys, but it sold, Nate.” I choke on my words. “It sold yesterday.”
He smiles and cups my cold cheeks with his warm hands. “It’s yours, Kira. I bought it. It’s for you.”
I shake my head and try to wrap my brain around what he’s saying. “Nate—?”
He puts his finger to my lips. “I’m staying. I’ll have to travel a bit, to help the company survive and to secure jobs, but I’ll always come back here to you. You once said we can’t pick our family, but we can. I pick you and this whole town.”
“Nate, I can’t—”
“What can’t you do?” he asks in a soft voice.
“I can’t accept the B&B.”
“Do you want to stay, Kira?” I nod, my voice stuck in my throat. “You know, I somehow knew you’d say you couldn’t accept it. That’s just like you. You’re the most honest, loving, genuine, caring woman I know. You’re not one to take without giving, but you have to accept this Kira. It’s a wedding gift.”
The world closes in on me. “A…” He pulls something from his pocket and drops to his knee on the cold, damp, snow-dusted ground.
“Will you marry me, Kira? I love you with all my heart, and if you say yes, you’ll make me the happiest man in the world.”
“Nate—” I begin but stop when the sound of chains and hooves reach my ears. “Oh my God,” I yell as