Page 96 of The Sweetest Thing

She touched the side of his face and nodded. “I love you, Noah. I want to share my life with you. My answer is a great big yes.”

Noah wiped tears from his eyes. “I haven’t bought an engagement ring because I wanted you to choose something you liked. But what’s in this box is special.” He held it toward her.

Carefully, Cassie opened the lid. Her mouth dropped open when she saw the lovely gold, pearl, and diamond necklace. “It’s the necklace I made for The Welcome Center’s auction. I thought you bought it for the prestige store.”

“I bought it for you. I can’t imagine anyone else wearing it.”

Cassie took the necklace out of the box and placed it around her neck. “What do you think?”

Noah’s slow smile made her toes curl.

“You look amazing.”

He lifted Cassie into his arms and kissed her so tenderly that tears filled her eyes.

“Do you want to see the lights?” he whispered.

Cassie nodded. When her feet touched the ground, she turned around. “Oh, my goodness. That’s incredible.” The back of her cottage was covered in strands of white fairy lights. Set in the middle of the roof were two glowing Christmas trees.

“I couldn’t find a bride and groom, so I bought the trees.”

“They’re perfect.” Cassie couldn’t take her eyes off the display. “It must have taken hours to attach everything to the roof. When did you do it?”

“I flew into Polson yesterday and stayed with Pastor John last night. After you left for work, we started decorating the cottage. But we had other help.” Noah raised his hand and turned Cassie around.

A crowd of people poured out of Acorn Cottage. But they weren’t random strangers. They were Cassie’s friends. John, Megan and William, Caleb and Sam, and Levi and Brooke. She gasped when she saw Natalie and Gabe. “I thought Natalie was overseas?”

“She arrived home last night. Willow and everyone from the candy store will be here soon.”

Patrick came out last, holding Nora’s hand.

Cassie blew her nose and wiped her eyes. “I can’t believe everyone helped get this ready.”

“They all love you, Cassie. But there’s someone else who wanted to be here.” Noah turned her gently toward Honeysuckle Cottage.

Her eyes widened when she saw the man walking toward her. “Dad!” She ran toward her father and wrapped him in a big hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

“It’s wonderful to see you, too. Watch where you step. You don’t want to hurt your little buddy.”

Cassie frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Her dad pointed behind her.

Noah leaned down and picked a little black and white puppy off the ground. Big, brown, doggy eyes stared up at her. “Cassie, meet Louis. He’s a four-month-old Cavoodle.”

She reached out and patted his soft fur. “He’s adorable.”

“Louis and I will be going for lots of walks around the lake. Before you know it, he’ll be chasing the ducks.”

“But you need to go back to Manhattan.”

“Not anymore. I’ve decided to keep my shares, but leave the running of the company to the chief financial officer. Pastor John has offered me a job at the church, and I’ve accepted it.”

More tears filled Cassie’s eyes. “Are you sure? I know you love your—”

Noah leaned forward and kissed her. “I love you more. Now that Granddad is working permanently on the tiny homes, you’ll have to get used to both of us being around each day.”

“That will be the easiest thing in the world to do.” Cassie turned to Patrick. “Did you know about this?”

“Most of it, but this little fellow is a surprise.” He rubbed Louis under the chin. “If you need someone to look after your puppy, I’ll take him to the steamboat museum with me. Louis can be my little shadow.”

As their friends congratulated them, Cassie leaned against Noah’s chest and sighed. The sweetest thing in anyone’s life was having the people you loved around you. And tonight, at the beginning of her new life with Noah, it was even more special.

THE END