Page 42 of The Hardest Part

His head cocked, he took the bottle from the old man’s hand.

“Dreams, Levi.”

“Can’t say that I do.” And he drank, the fiery liquid burning a hole in his gullet.

“Follow theSeeds-kee-dee-agienorth.” Josiah squeezed his knee, and then he stood. “That’s where you’ll find it.”

“Find what?”

He smiled. “Home.”

Maizie’s bakery was his first stop this morning. He’d ordered the cake weeks ago, lemon and a touch of elderflower cordial, frosted in a Swiss meringue buttercream, lavished with candy pearls and sweet flower petals in all the spring colors she loved.

Eighteen. It’s not a big number, but it is an important one.

And Jake wanted everything to be perfect.

Armed with a bouquet of blooms and her favorite breakfast of scrambled eggs, maple sausage, and blueberry pancakes from the town diner, he knocked on the painted wood door.

Her hair in a loose pile on top of her head, dressed in grubby old sweatpants and a t-shirt three sizes too big, Emily’s eyes opened wide when she saw him. “Jake?”

“I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“Would you look at me?” She glanced down at her attire. “I’m a mess.”

Oh, I’m lookin’, and you’re a beautiful sight.

“It’s your birthday, sleepyhead.” With his hands full, he couldn’t sweep her into his arms like he wanted to and kissed the silky-soft skin of her cheek instead. “You wanna waste away the day in bed?”

Brow raised, the corners of her lips twitched.

“What are you doin’ here this early, Jacob Gantry?” She finally grinned, and relieving him of the flowers, Emily took a sniff. “They’re so pretty.”

“I couldn’t go to work without seein’ my girl first to wish her a happy birthday, now could I?”

“You did that at midnight.”

True. He could’ve been here in person when the clock struck twelve—any other man waiting as long as he had likely would have. But Jake wanted to give his brother one last evening alone with her. The coming year was going to be a difficult one for him.

“FaceTime don’t count.” He followed Emily into the sun-filled kitchen, setting down the bags from the diner. “And I wanted to have breakfast with you.”

“You brought me Harry’s?”

“Sure did.”

“Blueberry pancakes?”

“It’s your favorite, ain’t it?”

“Oh, look,” she squealed, opening the to-go container. “They’re shaped like hearts.”

Emily got up on her tiptoes. Soft lips sweeping across his jaw, he put his arms around her. It felt so good to hold her close that he never wanted to let go. Then he remembered, he didn’t have to anymore.

His hands sliding up her back, Jake held Emily against him. He reached her nape, and fingers slipping into her hair, he pulled out the clip. As fragrant wildflower waves tumbled down in disarray, his lips brushed over hers. How he’d hungered for their delicate sweetness. How he’d longed to feel their pillowy softness touch his own.

Gazing into enchanting green eyes with her beautiful face in his hands, the organ in his chest beat a thunderous tattoo. Her lips parted. Jake brought her mouth to his. And the moment he kissed her only affirmed what he already knew.

He loved this woman.

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