Page 137 of Just for Tonight

“Oh, I’m sure,” she says with a smile. “I was sure before I brought Madison to you. Why do you think I challenged you?”

I smile back at her in relief. “Why do you think I moved the mountain?”

“You didn’t have to have everything arranged before you asked me.”

“I needed every possible variable in my favour.”

“No, you didn’t,” she says.

“Yes, I did. I knew I wanted to be with you, when you told me how you felt. I just couldn’t see how it could work. Not until everything fell into place.”

“Like we were meant to be.”

“Yes. Exactly that.”

She smiles and steps into my arms, and I hold her close. “I love you, Jake Cavendish. I would have married you whether you moved mountains for me or not.” And she kisses me, the sweetest, most potent and promising kiss ever, not to mention an excellent way to get the evening’s festivities started.

“Wait,” Mackenzie says after a highly satisfactory interval. She pulls back a little. “Opa smiled when we were together at the vineyard.”

“Is that a problem?”

Her eyes narrow. “Did he know about this?”

“I did ask his permission.”

She laughs. “You did not.”

“I did. If the feud between my father and your grandfather taught me anything, it was that things can only be easier with Augustine in your corner.” I give her a chance to smile before I continue. “He told me I didn’t have to ask his permission, but I think he was glad I did.”

“I’m sure he was. Opa is very old-fashioned.”

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think he was surprised.”

“He probably wasn’t.”

“It also was a strategic choice, one that resulted in Mrs. O’Neill packing you an overnight bag.”

Mackenzie laughs.

We stare into each other’s eyes for half an eternity, before she turns to the cottage. “Do I get to see inside?”

“Yes, but be warned that there’s work to be done. Someone has to pick tiles and counters and paint colours.”

“That’s the best part!”

“That’s why I saved it for you.”

I get another hot kiss for that, then I remember to put the ring on her finger. I even carry her over the threshold, mostly because it makes her laugh.

“Ooo, this is the abduction part, right?” she teases me, her eyes shining as she kicks her feet. “I’ve been looking forward to this bit.”

You know that’s a challenge I’ll take to heart.

Forever and ever.

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Mackenzie