Page 120 of Forbidden Flame

We sat at the table, my brothers grabbing an extra chair for Cole. I held his hand while we ate, and occasionally he’d lean over to kiss me.

After dinner, Dad took Izzy into the family room to watch TV, and my brothers volunteered to clean up.

“Can we talk?” Cole asked as he led the way outside onto the porch.

“You were brave for coming here on Thanksgiving and addressing my family like you did.”

Cole chuckled. “It went better than I imagined. Charlotte thought I was crazy for coming over here unannounced.”

“I think it was seeing how Izzy reacted to you.”

“Everything I said in there was true. I want a future with you and Izzy in it. I want us to be a family.”

“But what about Emmett and your family? How do they feel about us?”

“I told them that I was in love with you. That I was buying my own place, but I will keep working for Heath and helping on the farm. But I’d understand if they didn’t want me to. Then Heath asked me to be a partner in his business.”

“That’s everything you said you wanted.”

“It is.”

“And Emmett?”

“It takes him a while to get used to things. I think he’ll come around. But what matters is that we’re happy. I have everything I want right here.”

My heart was full. “I love you so much.”

“I never thought I’d have what I do with you. I’ve always wanted to belong, and I thought that was with the Monroes, but now I realize I was searching for you and Izzy. You’re where I belong.”

Epilogue

Cole

Thanksgiving with the Calloways was only slightly awkward. It was to be expected when I crashed their party with an apology. I wasn’t sure they’d want me there, but Daphne’s father smoothed things over quickly. I hoped my relationship with Daphne’s family would only improve once they realized I was here to stay.

When Teddy announced the pickup football game in the backyard, there was no question that I had to play. I suspected the tackles were a little harder than necessary for a family-friendly football game, but I didn’t complain. I’d let the Calloways get their hits in when they could.

I’d smoothed things over with Heath because we worked together. We were working on plans to continue to build the business with me as a partner. Heath was hoping Aiden would eventually work with us too, once he got a handle on running the inn.

Aunt Lori said to give Emmett time. She was confident he’d come around eventually. Especially since Ireland, Sarah, and Marley were thrilled that Daphne was dating me. They wanted her to be part of the family. That gave me hope that the rest of my cousins would come around too.

Tonight was the holiday party at Matthews Inn. I’d settled on my house a few weeks ago and had been working on building Daphne a separate structure for her pies. This one was bigger than the one she used on her family’s farm, and she could add seating inside if she wanted to. I also added a large porch where she could add a swing for her and Izzy or additional benches.

I hadn’t told her what I was doing because I wanted it to be a surprise. I had plans for that this evening, but we had to get through this party.

I wore a suit, knowing that the girls were planning to be dressed up. Izzy was excited to spend the evening with Ember and Addy in their party dresses.

When I arrived, Heath greeted me at the door. “The girls are upstairs. They should be done any minute. Want to grab a drink at the bar?”

“Sure,” I said, nodding at Aiden, who took my coat.

I walked with Heath toward the bar where I’d sat and spoken to Aiden a few weeks ago. It felt like a long time had passed, yet so much had changed since then. I’d taken Daphne and Izzy out to dinner and ice cream. I even went to Izzy’s holiday concert at school with the Calloways. It felt good to finally be part of Daphne’s and Izzy’s lives.

My cousins sat on stools at the bar, but I stood at the end, unsure if this was a good idea. I didn’t want to get into an argument before the party.

Heath went behind the bar and grabbed me a beer. “Emmett has something he’d like to say to you.”

I raised a brow but remained silent.

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