Page 162 of The Promise Of You

We fall asleep under the stars, Moose standing guard, and in the morning, we open the picnic basket. Crispy baguette, butter from the farm, a mild cheddar, and apples.

And hard cider.

Life is perfect.

“I should have brought a thermos of coffee. I didn’t think we’d sleep here.”

“No? Then why the mattress?”

“The mattress was for making love, or fucking, or however else this was going to turn out. I didn’t think we’d spend the whole night.”

I roll onto my belly. “Are you kidding? This is the most beautiful spot on earth. I’m never leaving.”

He chuckles and reaches to caress my cheek. “I heard you postponed the closing on the restaurant.”

I blush slightly. “Oh, right. I—I need to… I’ll reconfirm.”

“Do you still want to buy the restaurant? You know you don’t have to.”

He knows me so well. “I do, of course I do,” I sigh.

“But?”

“I don’t know… if it’s enough? I feel I’ve done everything I needed, or close. They don’t really need me to do well. With Corine at the helm, it’s smooth sailing. Anyone could do my job.”

“Then move onto your next adventure. Hire a manager, keep an eye on the restaurant, but move onto something that excites you.” He pulls me in for a deep kiss.

“God, I love you so much. I want to stay here my whole life too. Can this day just never end?” I grab the pocketknife we used to cut the cheese, scoot over to one of the birch logs, and start carving our initials.

Justin kneels next to me and watches me, nuzzling my neck. “Have you thought of anything else you’d like to do?”

“Haley told me about her fermentory. I’d love to help her get it off the ground. It’s more up my alley than the restaurant business.”

“You would be successful in anything you set your mind to. She’ll be thrilled to partner with you.”

“Tell me about this land,” I say.

“Mom and Dad are giving it to us to build our house on. Away enough from the farm so they won’t be in our business, close enough that our kids can run to their grandparents for pie and to help with farm work.

“We can start building when you want. My personal taste? Barn style, four bed, three baths, three car garage with a guest apartment above it, but ultimately, I’ll be happiest if you build whatever you want. I spoke with Lucas. He gave me numbers I like, and I think you’ll like too. When you’re ready, Thalia will design, and Autumn will help you decorate.

“I know Haley is already working with them on designs for the fermentory that would be a couple miles away from our site—if you want this site—which is close enough that you can ride your ATV or horse or snowmobile or fatbike or whatever you’ll want to ride to go to work. I’m making Shane partner. He’ll move into the apartment as soon as our house is ready.

“For the wedding, all up to you babe, but as far as I’m concerned, the sooner the better, and just so you know, there’s no waiting period in Vermont, so we can get married tomorrow if you like. Again, up to you. I know there are a lot of fancy wedding venues, and maybe your folks will want something upscale, but no way, and I mean no way, are they paying for anything—I don’t care that you’re their first daughter getting married—so if you want a fancy wedding venue then maybe we’ll hold back on the guest apartment or the third bathroom or both. Depends on how fancy you want it.”

I drop the pocketknife, my eyes glued to the carved initials, CS heart JK.

“Too soon?” he asks.

Turning around slowly to face him, I take his face between my hands, and straddle him. “How long have you been planning this?” My eyes search his, uncomprehending. How did I not see this? How was I ready to say goodbye to him?

“Too much?” he answers. His hands land on my hips and trail up to my back. “It’ll be whatever you want, Clover, just a few ideas I been playin’ with.”

I lower my mouth to his as his hand makes its way under my dress.

“You’re not saying anything, Clover. Give me somethin’.”

I wrap my arms tightly around his neck and say, peppering kisses all over him, “Wedding on our land. Three weeks from now. Foliage will be perfect, give us time to plan. Everything else, what you said.”

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