The Story Of Us - Teri Wilson Page 0,77

“Waterford owes you so much. So do I.”

“Hey, now. You don’t owe me a thing.” He reached for her hand, lifted it to his lips and covered it with a tender kiss. “I adore you. You know that, but can we go inside? Your cat has gotten significantly heavier recently. Someone must be feeding him too many treats.”

Jamie rolled her eyes as she pushed the door open. “Gee, I wonder who that could be.”

“No idea,” Sawyer deadpanned as he deposited the cat carrier on the countertop by the register.

“Seriously, Hometown Boy.” It had become a term of endearment that Jamie had no intention of retiring anytime soon. “You’ve set a new bar for Valentine’s Day. This day couldn’t possibly get any better.”

She unzipped Eliot’s carrier, and he popped out of the opening in a flurry of ginger fur and an unmistakable flash of sparkle.

“You sure about that?” Sawyer murmured, brushing Jamie’s hair aside to press his lips to the curve of her neck.

It was then that Jamie saw it—the source of the glittering light coming from Eliot’s collar. Alongside his heart-shaped pet tag, an antique engagement ring had been tied to his collar with pink satin ribbon, the same kind she’d used to affix the old Valentines from The Story of Us box to True Love’s cherry tree for the second year in a row, a tradition in the making.

She gasped, not quite believing what she was seeing.

“I searched high and low for a ring that matched the one Harrison gave to Mary after he came back from the war. Remember, from the picture of Mary you found in the attic when we were getting ready for the renovation?” Sawyer said in a voice raw with emotion as he untied the ribbon from around Eliot’s collar.

Of course she remembered. She’d just never imagined Sawyer would one day slip a similar ring on her finger.

She nodded, too afraid to speak lest she start crying and spoil the moment. Then Sawyer dropped down on one knee and before he could say another word, a loud, resounding “Yes!” came flying out of her mouth.

He laughed and slid the vintage ring onto her finger. Jamie was pretty sure he officially popped the question, but she couldn’t make out the words because she was crying in earnest now. And she didn’t care, because she realized there was no spoiling a moment like this one. It had been over a decade and a half in the making.

Jamie brushed the tears from her face and threw herself into Sawyer’s arms, and he held her onto her so tightly that it felt like he’d never let go. Eliot meowed loudly, rubbing against their entwined legs, and somewhere over Sawyer’s shoulder, Jamie caught sight of Persuasion by Jane Austen, lined up neatly on the top shelf.

Jamie’s favorite lines from the novel wove their way into her thoughts, just as they had on the day she’d nearly dropped the very same book on Sawyer’s head.

You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me that I am not too late…

She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her face into the solid warmth of Sawyer’s chest.

You’re not too late, my love. You’re right on time.

The End

Wild Mushroom and Asparagus Risotto

A Hallmark Original Recipe

In The Story of Us, Jamie and Sawyer’s friend Rick can’t seem to tell his crush how he feels about her. More than once, he retreats to the kitchen to make risotto instead. Jamie and Sawyer aren’t especially good at putting their feelings for each other into words, either…and it doesn’t help that Sawyer’s retail development plan will mean the end of Jamie’s beloved bookstore! Our Wild Mushroom and Asparagus Risotto is as easy as it is elegant. It would be perfect to serve to friends or as part of a romantic meal.

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

4 tablespoons butter, divided

8 ounces wild mushroom blend (such as cremini, portobello, shitake), trimmed, sliced

1 pound asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces

6 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1½ cups arborio rice

1 cup dry white wine

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

½ teaspoon grated nutmeg

Kosher salt and black pepper, as needed

2 tablespoons shaved Parmesan

Fresh Italian parsley, as needed

DIRECTIONS

Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a sauté pan; add mushrooms and cook over medium heat until all moisture has evaporated and mushrooms are golden brown. Season to taste with salt and black pepper and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter in