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“After being back at work and working under the guy with less experience and insight than me, I think I’m going to quit. I want to renovate the basement with you, if you’ll still have me.”
“Of course.” I tugged her hand until she was sitting on my lap, facing the movie screen.
Her lips pursed. “I’m not sure what I’ll do after the basement is renovated.”
I wrapped my arms around her, content to hold her. “I’m sure we’ll need a lot of consulting help. But we’ll figure it out together. If you’re not happy here, we’ll find out what would make you happy.”
Her hand curled in the hair at the back of my neck. “I have a feeling that’s wherever you are.”
“I know I’ve made promises in the past—promises I didn’t keep. But I won’t break this one. I promise to be by your side forever.”
Fiona smiled softly. “I know. I trust you.”
“I can’t wait to start our forever.” Then I kissed her, forgetting about the movie playing on the screen and the audience below. It was just me and Fiona. Forever.
EPILOGUE
FIONA
Six Months Later
I’d convinced Aiden to hold a Christmas in July theme at the inn. I’d researched different marketing plans with Marley over the past few months, and this one was supposed to be effective. It was ninety degrees outside, but the columns were wrapped in twinkling white lights and the gardens were too.
“I think we should keep the lights on the trees year-round,” I said to Aiden as we walked the property, holding hands. He held a picnic basket in his other hand.
We spent a few lunches a week exploring the Matthews’ property, getting to know the land and enjoying nature. It was so different from my life in Chicago where I spent my time either in my office or traveling from one hotel to another. But I loved it.
This felt more sustainable. I could enjoy life and work. The best part was that I spent most days with Aiden. With me and Charlotte helping at the inn, Aiden had been taking on more projects with Heath’s contracting business.
The three of them—Heath, Cole, and Aiden—had discussed a partnership. Aiden was excited about it, and I wanted him to be happy.
He loved the inn, but he enjoyed working with his hands and creating something too.
We stopped at a clearing in the woods where I could hear the rush of moving water.
Aiden carefully placed the blanket on the ground, resting the picnic basket on top. “What do you think?”
“It’s pretty,” I said looking around at the tall trees and the light coming through the breaks in the branches to form a pattern on the floor of the woods.
Aiden shook his head. “Come here.”
When I reached him, he grabbed my hands and pulled me close. “Let’s try that again. What do you think about building our home here?”
My eyes widened. “I thought you wanted to be close to the inn.”
“Eventually, we might want some privacy from the guests. Maybe we could hire Charlotte to be the manager and let her move in.”
“She needs a place to live now though.”
“I can’t figure that part out because if we decide to build a house, it will take some time. We’ll work on this project along with our other jobs. But if you’re on board, I want to break ground while it’s warm.”
I looked around, trying to imagine living here.
Aiden took my hand. “The lane will continue from the inn to here. The house will go here. It will have an attached garage and maybe even a workshop for me to work on my side projects.”
Aiden worked on custom jobs, like cabinetry, shelving, and breakfast nooks. He preferred to build them off-site and then install them when they were completed. Building a separate workspace would allow him to do that.
“I love it.”
