Page 50 of All You Need Is Macchiato

A tear escapes despite Sophia's warnings. Nolan catches it with his thumb.

"I promise to love you through every season. To support your dreams, even when they involve rearranging the Wishing Wall three times in one day. To bring you coffee in bed and kiss you good morning and remind you every day that you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. Even if you never give back my favorite flannel shirt."

Laughter ripples through the crowd. I take a shaky breath, my own vows rising from my heart.

"I came to Elk Ridge looking for a coffee shop to save," I begin. "Instead, I found a home. A community. A love I never expected but can't imagine living without."

His hands tighten on mine.

"You, Nolan Callahan, with your stubborn heart and endless loyalty, taught me that some wishes take time to come true. That the best dreams are the ones we build together. I promise to love you through every challenge, to believe in your vision even when you doubt, and to always stock honey lavender syrup in our kitchen."

"Even though it's not cost effective?" His eyes dance with memory.

"Especially because it's not cost effective." I smile through happy tears. "I promise to be your partner in everything—in business, in family, in life. And I promise to love you more each day, even when you're being impossible. Especially then."

The rest of the ceremony blurs into joy and tears and the perfect moment when Nolan's lips meet mine, sealing our promises with a kiss that tastes like forever.

The crowd cheers. Flower petals shower down from somewhere above. And through it all, Nolan holds me close, his heart beating steady against mine.

The lodge's great room glows like a fairytale, transformed by hundreds of twinkling lights and garlands of mountain laurel. Long wooden tables—handcrafted by Rowan—stretch beneath crystal chandeliers, each setting marked with a wish card for guests to fill out. In the corner, Sara's wedding cake rises like a mountain peak, decorated with sugar flowers and tiny coffee cups.

"Mrs. Callahan?" Nolan's voice is warm in my ear as he pulls out my chair. "Your coffee, made exactly how you like it."

"Already starting the husband duties?" I accept the steaming cup, breathing in the familiar scent of honey and lavender.

"Just the first of many." He presses a kiss to my temple before taking his seat beside me. "Though I draw the line at reorganizing the Wishing Wall at midnight."

"That was one time?—"

The sound of silver against crystal interrupts us as Evie rises for her toast. She looks radiant in blue, every inch the proud matriarch.

"When I first met Kathryn," she begins, "she was trying to save a coffee shop. What she didn't know was that she was about to save something far more precious—a heart that had forgotten how to trust." Her eyes meet mine, warm with affection."Though I suspect she needed a bit of saving too. We all do, sometimes. That's what family is for."

Nolan's hand finds mine under the table.

"To watch you two find each other, support each other, love each other... it's been the greatest joy of my life since Claire left us." Evie's voice catches. "She would have loved this day. Would have loved seeing her son so happy, so complete. Would have loved you, Kathryn, for bringing that light back to his eyes."

I squeeze Nolan's fingers, feeling him squeeze back.

"To Nolan and Kathryn," Evie raises her glass. "May your love continue to grow like mountain laurel—strong, beautiful, and ever-blooming."

The toasts continue, each one adding another layer to our story. Connor tells about catching us kissing in the supply closet ("Quality control testing!" I protest). Jameson recounts the time Nolan spent three days carving the perfect frame for my birthday present. Even Old Joe stands, thanking us for creating a place where wishes still come true.

When it's time for our first dance, Nolan leads me to the floor with that half-smile that still makes my heart skip. The music starts—soft and sweet, like morning light on mountain peaks.

"Happy?" he murmurs, drawing me close.

"Perfect." I rest my cheek against his chest, feeling his heartbeat strong and steady. "Though you still haven't told me where we're going for our honeymoon."

"Somewhere with terrible coffee." His laugh rumbles through me. "So you'll appreciate coming home even more."

"Impossible man."

"Your impossible man."

Later, when the dancing and laughter have mellowed into quiet joy, we slip out onto the lodge porch. The spring night wraps around us like a blanket, stars scattered above like wishes waiting to fall.

"Remember our first night out here?" Nolan pulls me against him, his arms warm and sure.

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