hungry for the feel of his arms around me, for the taste of his kiss.
He held out his arm, stopping me. “You hold up your end of the bargain?” he asked. “Did you attend that wedding?”
“I did. I would never have gone if you hadn’t pressured me.”
“And?” He was looking for more.
“And you were right. It was exactly what I needed. What James and Katie needed, too.”
“Told ya.”
“It was a small, private wedding and I’m so glad I was there.” I remembered the look James had shared with Katie as they exchanged their vows. It was the same look Nick had now, staring down at me. A look of joy, of adoration, of a love strong enough to last through the years.
“We’ll invite them to our wedding.” His eyes were intent as they locked on to mine.
I couldn’t stay out of his arms a second longer. I raced toward him and practically leaped into his embrace. “If you don’t kiss me soon…” I wasn’t allowed to finish when his mouth captured mine in a kiss that sent my world spinning. Twining my arms around his neck, Nick circled my waist and he lifted me off the ground. We kissed like we were starved for each other, and we were.
It started to rain, but I hardly noticed for the tears making tracks down my face. “I’ve missed you so much,” I cried, planting kisses over his face, starting with his forehead and then the corner of his eyes, working my way down to his mouth again. I’d never get enough of this man.
“We’re going to fill those five bedrooms with our family, Em,” Nick whispered, kissing me again. “We’ll adopt. I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to Brad. He would have loved you, but baby, you’re all mine.”
“And you are mine,” I returned.
“We’re going to get soaked standing here.”
I brushed the wet hair from his forehead. “I don’t care.”
Nick grinned. “Can’t say that I do, either, not when I have you in my arms.”
“I hope you don’t want a long engagement.”
He chuckled. “Afraid I’m going to change my mind, are you? Had the chance already. Not going there, Em. We’ll marry whenever you want, but rest assured this man is yours, body and soul.”
I braced my forehead against his, loving him so much in that moment that I felt as if my heart was about to explode. I started to laugh then.
“Something funny?” Nick asked, brushing the wet strands of hair away from my cheek.
“It’s true. I didn’t believe Jo Marie, but it’s true. She told me the inn had magical powers and the people who stayed there found peace and healing.”
“You didn’t believe her?”
“No, I wanted to, but I was afraid to get my hopes up. Don’t you see, Nick, you’re my gift, you’re my love, you’re my everything. I can’t wait to let Jo Marie know. She never doubted. Her confidence in the two of us was so strong.”
“In case you haven’t figured it out before now, Em, we were meant to be together. It was what brought you to Cedar Cove and to the inn. I moved here broken and saddled with grief and guilt after the car accident, and then I met you and you gave me hope that I could go on.”
“I was broken, too, remember?”
“Yes, which is what makes us a perfect match. We needed each other. You healed my heart and I’ll help heal yours, teach you to trust that you’re lovable.”
Pressing my head against his shoulder, I released a shuddering sigh. “You already have, Nick. You already have.”
His arms tightened around me. “This may be the shortest engagement in history if you continue to say those kinds of things to me.” He set my feet back down on the pavement. “Let’s go home.”
“Home,” I repeated, and leaned my head against his shoulder.
Elvis trotted along behind us, eager to get out of the rain.
Mark promised me he’d only be away as little as two weeks, but it’d been nearly two months and I had yet to hear a word from him. By all that was right I should be climbing the walls with worry. Certainly I was troubled, but when I felt my mind drifting down that crooked pathway, all I had to do was remember the cradle the Porters had delivered. I felt the cradle was God’s sign that Mark would return to me, with none of the consequences of his last visit. I clung to that promise with both hands