Page 101 of Small Town Boy

Out of the corner of my eye I see Mama Keller slide up behind Noel, passing him something with a subtle flick of her wrist. My brain is too busy trying to process his words to even begin with his actions.

Until he drops to one knee.

O…M…G…

“Bronwyn Elizabeth Ainsworth, I love you. Pretty sure you know that by now. You are everything I could ever want in a partner—strong, smart, sharp, sassy. All those S words we talked about. You keep me on my toes and make me want to be the best man possible, all so I can continue to deserve you. I know you don’t need rescuing, but you have no idea how happy I am you ended up in that ditch. Twice.”

I choke out a laugh—or is that a sob—tears fighting their way forward. Part of me wants to correct him. Tell him I only ended up in the ditch once—the first time I was stuck in the middle of the road—but I don’t think I could form the words if I tried.

“It’s like everything has snapped into place since you walked into my life. All the things that were ‘someday things,’ well, someday can’t get here fast enough. So, how about we speed it up? Will you marry me?”

As if someone cut the sound, the whole world falls silent. The only thing I can hear is my rushing pulse and my heart screaming the only word that matters.

“Yes!”

The second the word is out of my mouth, the tree lights up behind us, hundreds of bright white and colored LEDS instantly aglow. I can feel the magic flowing through the air, dancing around us, my heart unbelievably full.

Noel pushes to his feet, pulling me in for a kiss and dipping me backward. He kisses me with so much love I feel it in my toes. It’s the kind of kiss one feels for days afterward. A kiss to measure all other kisses by.

I can hear cheering behind us, but I can’t focus on that. The only thing I see is Noel. His beautiful eyes and even more potent smile making me weak.

“This is Grams Keller’s ring,” he tells me, slipping a gorgeous cushion cut diamond on my hand. “When we were little, our grandmothers made Nash and me pick out who got whose ring. This is the one I chose. I’ve been waiting for the day that I got to give it to the woman I love.”

“Noel, it’s beautiful. As was that proposal. I love you.”

“I love you.”

He kisses me again, making a show of it. I don’t stop him, far too caught up in the moment to care.

“Just a small-town boy, and a city girl…isn’t that how the song goes?”

“No,” I laugh.

“Well, it is now.”

EPILOGUE

NOEL

13 months later

“I think Christmas is my second favorite holiday now.”

Bronwyn flops down on the couch, grinning from ear to ear, the reflection of the lights on the Christmas tree sparkling in her eyes.

“Second?” I question, rounding the couch so I’m standing in front of her. Smiling, I drag my gaze up and down her body, enjoying the adorable red dress she’s wearing. The same dress I’ve been picturing taking off her since she put it on this morning.

“Yup, behind Friendsgiving.”

“Solid order of things.”

She giggles, patting the couch next to her. I don’t take the bait quite yet though. Kneeling down in front of her, I slip her shoes off of her, rubbing the soles of her feet gently. She lets out a slow moan of appreciation, snuggling into the cushions more.

“You’re going to make me fall asleep if you keep that up.”

“We can’t have that,” I reply, running my hand along her bare leg. She moans again, licking her lips. She’s still so responsive to my touch, like metal dancing in the pull of a magnet, and I can’t resist toying with her. But I need to behave, for now. Dragging my fingertips up her smooth skin, I join her on the couch. “At least not yet. I have plans for you.”

“Do you now?”