them the story of Juliet braving her fear of the water to save Gus. And how the otter babies brought Bailey and Chase together.” Paige was smiling now. “I loved hearing all those stories. The visitors to the grand opening will too. We need to tell everyone how the otters are a part of the Landry family stories. That will help them understand why this enclosure is a big deal.”
Yes. That’s exactly what they should do.
He took that all in, feeling amazed, in love, and relieved. “You sat up last night writing down all the stories everyone has told you while you’ve been in Autre, didn’t you?”
She smiled up at him. “Well, not all of them. Just the otter stories. So far.”
He felt his eyes stinging again as he looked down at the woman he was certain was the love of his life.
“That all sounds perfect.”
She smiled. “Then let’s go home.”
Home.
That was almost as good as the L-word.
They needed five of the big airboats to get everyone out onto the bayou for their tour of the otters’ natural environment.
The grand opening was a huge success. Of course, the Landry family could fill five airboats up, but they’d left the boats to their guests from the town and surrounding area. And Paige’s family.
Paige had started crying the moment she’d seen her family. Mitch had been clearly choked up as well as he shook her father’s and Grant’s hands and accepted hugs from Dee and Josie. Her other sister and her family hadn’t been able to get away on such short notice, but she’d promised to come visit when she and the kids had a break from school.
It really did help to have a brother-in-law who had a private plane sometimes.
She’d been incredibly touched, as had Mitch, that they’d come for this. Even knowing they’d be there, it was emotional to see them. They’d come without really knowing Mitch and only briefly meeting any of the Landrys over the phone.
But she understood that they’d come for her. And for the man who would, probably, someday be a part of their family.
Paige sat with her mom and dad as they observed the huge gathering of people at Ellie’s after the boat ride and walking tour from the docks to the new enclosure.
Because Griffin had refused to do a public talk, Tori had led a presentation about the otters and everything that was included in the enclosure for them, from the shelter to the swimming areas to enrichment activities. And she’d definitely singled Mitch out as the creative genius behind it all.
Right now, Josie and Grant were chatting with Kennedy and Bennett across the room. Kennedy was, no doubt, telling Grant all the reasons he should donate to Bennett’s foundation. Which he really should.
“This is quite the place,” Dee said.
There was food everywhere, including otter shaped cookies. And drinks, of course. And music. People were talking and laughing. It was family and friends, coming together and commemorating another piece of their history.
“It really is,” Paige agreed. “And they are quite the family.” Paige glanced to where Mitch was accepting congratulations from more of the guests. He was flanked by Tori and Josh on one side, and he’d insisted Fletcher and Zeke stand with him since they’d done a lot of the manual labor for the enclosure too.
She loved that he was getting so much attention. And was accepting it. Or at least tolerating it.
“Well, I’m here to support you as you support Mitch,” Dee said. “And I’m thrilled that this is where you landed.”
Paige smiled at her mom. “I really did it, huh? I finally let my guard down a little, and I ended up with all of… this.” She looked around the bar, full of people that she knew were already a part of her heart. And her future.
Dee squeezed her hand. “Well, I don’t know if you really let your guard down. Seems these people can get past even a seemingly well-protected heart.”
Paige nodded. “True.”
It really was. She wasn’t sure if she’d finally opened her heart or if the Landrys had applied a crowbar, but it was wide-open now, and she knew it was never going to be shut… or empty… again.
“So, Mom,” she said, her eyes on Mitch again. He looked over and caught her gaze. He gave her a little smile, and she knew he was okay. But that he needed a hug and maybe a few words of “you’re doing great” from her soon.
“Yes?”
“Before you all leave on Wednesday, I’d like to take you down Main Street and show you a couple of little shops. There’s a great pizza place where we could have lunch.”
“Are we allowed to not have lunch here at Ellie’s?” Dee asked, picking up one of the meat pies that she’d earlier declared one of the most delicious things she’d ever eaten.
“Well, it’s next door to an available space that I’d love your opinion on.”
Dee smiled at her. “A possible yoga studio-cat café?”
“And a wedding planning business.”
Her mom nodded. “Absolutely.”
“And…”
Dee lifted a brow.
“I do happen to have some wedding dress catalogs now.”
“For the business.”
“Yes,” Paige said. “But… maybe we could flip through a couple of them together.”
Dee’s face lit up. “I would love that.”
Paige laughed. “I know. And I’m not actually getting a dress for a while,” she cautioned. “But…” She looked over at Mitch again. “I am getting one. Eventually.”
Mitch gave her a smile, then tipped his head in a “come here” gesture.
She nodded. “Be back in a bit,” she told her parents, getting to her feet.
“We’re fine,” Dee assured her. “Go take care of Mitch.”
Paige watched Mitch watching her as she crossed the room. His eyes on her filled her with a mix of love and comfort and heat and happiness that she wanted to feel for the rest of her life.
Yeah, she was getting a freaking wedding dress.
And as he wrapped his arm around her and tucked her against his side, she couldn’t help the thought that danced through her head.
Maybe even tomorrow.
Thank you so much for reading Paige and Mitch’s story! I hope you loved this trip to the bayou!
Have you read what happened in Iowa before Paige made the trip to Louisiana?
You can check out that part of their story in the
Hot Cakes series novella, Oh, Fudge!
And if you want even more from the Landrys and Autre… there’s lots more to come!
Check out the
Boys of the Bayou- Gone Wild
Things are going to get wild when the next batch of bayou boys fall in love!
Otterly Irresistible
Heavy Petting
Flipping Love You
Find more details at
ErinNicholas.com
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If you loved the Boys of the Bayou…
If you love the Boys of the Bayou, you’ll love the connected series, Boys of the Big Easy!
The Boys of the Big Easy
Easy Going (prequel novella)-Gabe & Addison
Going Down Easy- Gabe & Addison
Taking It Easy - Logan & Dana
Eggnog Makes Her Easy - Matt & Lindsey
Nice and Easy - Caleb & Lexi
Getting Off Easy - James & Harper
If you’re looking for more sexy, small town rom com fun, check out the
The Hot Cakes Series
One small Iowa town.Two rival baking companies.
A three-generation old family feud.
And six guys who are going to be heating up a lot more than the kitchen.
Sugar Rush (prequel)
Sugarcoated
Forking Around
Making Whoopie
Semi-Sweet On You
Oh, Fudge
Gimme S’more
And much more
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About the Author
Erin Nicholas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty sexy contemporary romances. Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy and fun. She loves to write about reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines and happily ever afters. She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say they’re shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).
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