Page 97 of After All

Hope nodded. “Good.” She didn’t seem shocked at all.

“Really? Even considering my whole background and knowing nothing about marriage?” Peyton asked.

“Really. Because of your whole background,” Hope said with a nod. “You’ll be great at it.”

Peyton sat up straighter. “You think so?” There was no person on the earth who had an opinion that mattered more to her than Hope’s did. She felt her heartbeat stuttering in her chest.

“Of course. You have so much love pent up inside of you that you can barely keep it contained now,” Hope told her. “Once you really set it free…well, Scott better be ready.”

Peyton felt tears pricking her eyelids. “You think I have a lot of love pent up inside?”

“Growing up you didn’t really have anywhere to put it,” Hope said, absently stroking her hand over her belly. “Your mom and dad didn’t seem to really want it and you got good at keeping it inside you so you wouldn’t be disappointed. But it’s evident every time you make a cake or do a party or pull someone out on the dancefloor.”

Hope said it as if it was just a matter of fact. But Peyton felt her chest tightening.

“Really?” she asked softly.

Hope seemed to suddenly realize that Peyton was reeling. She stopped rocking and got awkwardly to her feet to join Peyton on the couch. Hope took her hand. “Really. Peyton, you are an incredibly loving person. And I see it in everything you do. No one could have put that shower together for me like that,” she said. “Someone else might have been able to make the cake or make it circus themed if we’d asked, but you came up with that. And you put all the special touches on it. Because you did it with your heart, not just your head.”

Peyton blinked rapidly, on the verge of tears.

Hope lifted her hand to Peyton’s cheek. “I think Scott Hansen is the perfect guy to take all of that love you have to give.”

* * *

Scott hitthe city limits of Sapphire Falls just after ten p.m. two days later.

He was starving, he was exhausted, his mind was spinning with everything they needed to do to get ready to head back to North Dakota.

But most of all he needed to see Peyton.

He pulled into his driveway, his chest aching at the sight of his dark house. He’d lived alone for so long, how had one little brunette made it so normal to come home to a lit-up house full of life and laughter in just two weeks?

He sighed. Because it was Peyton.

His phone dinged on the seat beside him with a text. He let out a breath. Probably the task force leader again. Or maybe Kyle.

But it wasn’t either one. It was Peyton.

I need you.

His heart slammed against his rib cage. He typed back.Where?

The sweet shop.

I’m on my way.

He pulled up in front of the shop three minutes later. He strode to the door and pulled on the handle. It was locked.

Well, she was being safe while she was here alone at night. But his entire body was aching with the need to see her, touch her…and tell her she was full of crap. He lifted a fist and banged on the door.

* * *

Peyton heard Scott’s knock. She’d asked Ed to let her know when Scott got back to town tonight. Ed had parked his cruiser out by the Welcome to Sapphire Falls sign just for her. He’d texted a few minutes ago.

She pulled in a deep breath, smoothed her apron, and headed for the front of the shop.

Her knees actually wobbled when she saw Scott through the glass in the door. He had his hands in his jeans pockets, his white button-down shirt untucked, the sleeves rolled up, and he looked determined, and gorgeous, and her chest hurt just looking at him.

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