Page 114 of The Mistletoe Makeover

She frowns. “Other surprise?”

“When I was touring this year, I had this idea. What if I could be home more, but still perform? The concert last year in this barn is still my favorite. So I made Cal an offer he couldn’t refuse. Remarkably, he agreed to it.”

She glances around the barn. “Wait. You bought this place?”

“If the Maplewood Mistletoe Festival continues to grow, I’ll have a Christmas concert here every year. Eventually, I want to start a concert festival in the summer, and in between, we’ll still tour. But I want to make a life in Maplewood—to make memories together—so we have a place to call home.”

She lets this news sink in. “As long as we can fly to Sully’s Beach occasionally. Maybe after Christmas?”

I kiss the inside of her palm. “Traveling after Christmas is too long to wait. I know how much your friends mean to you. Sully’s Beach is your home, too.”

Her eyes widen. “Are we going to Sully’s Beach now?”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I brought Sully’s Beach to you.”

As if on cue, the doors to the barn open, and Jaz and Ella yell, “SURPRISE!”

Mia looks over at me in elated shock. “You brought my friends here?”

I brush her chin. “Anything to make you smile.”

They climb up on stage with us, and we’re suddenly caught up in hugs and tears and so much laughter.

“Did she say yes?” Jaz asks.

Mia holds up her left hand. “But how’s it possible you kept this secret from me?”

“Let me tell you, it was hard,” Jaz says, propping her hand on one hip. “I warned your brothers not to say anything.”

“My brothers knew?”

“I may have told Brax... who then told Vale,” Jaz admits with a grimace.

Just in time, because Cora’s voice echoes outside the door. “Mia?”

Mia’s mom appears, followed by Brax and Vale. “The traffic in town from the festival kept us from getting here sooner,” she says, her face flushed. “Please don’t tell me you planned the wedding date.”

“Nothing has been planned yet,” Mia says. “But I’m not waiting long.” She squeezes my hand.

Cora throws her arms around her daughter’s neck as Brax and Vale congratulate me, slapping my shoulder so hard it almost hurts.

“Now you have to learn to play hockey,” Vale says.

I look to Mia for help, and she shrugs. “You knew you were marrying into a hockey family.”

“Where will you get married?” Ella asks. “Sully’s Beach or Maplewood?”

“Definitely here,” Mia says, looking around the barn, her face tipped toward the lights. “This place would be perfect. And sooner rather than later.” It seems appropriate the venue where we had our first dance would be the place we sayI do.

“How soon?” I ask.

“Well, my friends are already here...” she hints. “Do you think we could pull together a wedding by the New Year?”

“Are you serious?” Cora asks, her mouth falling open.

Mia nods. “It’s crazy, but with everyone’s help, I know we could pull it off. If we’re going to get married, why not do it while Jace is home? We have the time, and now, we even have the place.” Then she turns to me. “As long as you’re okay with it?”

Never agreed more.My hand slides across her waist as I give her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll marry you anytime, any place you want.”

---