Page 110 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

They were handed mugs of hot chocolate with crushed candy cane shaped sprinkles on top, and her people all gathered around her. Nina was right—she’d found her family here and hadn’t really realized that until she’d come face to face with her birth family.

“If I can have your attention,” Tripp Lyntacky said, standing on the rotunda. “Now that everyone is safe, we’ll begin.”

A cheer went up at that announcement.

“Are you all right, Nina?”

“Yes, thank you, Meadow.”

His mother kissed his cheek and then Nina’s before wandering off, leaving a cloud of earthy scent behind.

“Nina, will you come up here and turn on the lights? Bring Finch with you!” Tripp said.

She giggled and didn’t seem able to stop until he bent to whisper, “Get it together, Winters,” in her ear.

He led her through the Lyntacks assembled and up the stairs, moving at a much slower pace than before.

Tripp then handed the switch to Nina.

“Put your hand over mine,” she ordered Finch.

He did as he was told, and they turned on the lights together. Everyone held their collective breath, and seconds later the tree came alive with color. It was almost magical, which could have to do with what they’d just been through.

“Perfect.” Nina turned to face him. She then rose on her toes and kissed him in front of everyone.

The roars and claps were deafening, so Finch pulled her closer and made sure everyone knew exactly what this woman meant to him, now and always.

Chapter 30

To really understand Lyntacky, you needed to understand how competitive the locals were.

For example, there were the two baseball teams, the Lemon Levelers and the Lavender Leaders, and families had played for their team for many years. You could swap, but only through marriage or if you had a long-term partner. There were other events that brought out the competitive spirit, and today it was on full display at the bake-off.

It was now four days after her father had come to town, and Nina had to say she was happy—ridiculously happy. There were no more doubts or panic attacks; she was in love, and while she knew she and Finch had plenty of issues to traverse, they’d be doing them together.

“I’m not entirely sure I’ll get out of town alive if I vote for the wrong person today,” she said as she climbed up onto the special raised platform that someone had erected in the Swing Through Café. She placed notepads and pens before each of the seats.

“Stop your moaning. You get to eat all those delicious baked goods while I stand and watch,” Finch said.

They’d arrived an hour early to help with setting up, and he was stacking chairs and tables along with Ryder and Libby so they could fit all the locals in. A few chairs would be left out for those who didn’t like to stand for too long.

Looking at the man who had stolen her heart, Nina felt it again. A small flicker of awareness that came when he was close. This was love.

Federal agents had flown into town and taken her father, his sister, and nephew away, and Nina hadn’t really exhaled until that news had reached her. She didn’t want to be in the same town as Dale Falcon ever again, and Finch had agreed.

The one thing that niggled in the back of her head was that he wouldn’t give up the search for what he’d come to Lyntacky to find. Would he send others to Lyntacky to do his dirty work?

Staring at the white-framed painting on the wall opposite, something tugged at her memory.

“Holy fuck!” Nina shrieked.

“What?” Finch dropped the chairs he was holding, the sound making a loud bang in the café.

“I think I know where it is! I forgot⁠—”

“Forgot what?” Finch demanded, moving to stand below her.

“What they were looking for. I forgot what was under my bed.”