Page 40 of The Widower's Nanny

“We’re fine. We made a fort. And played Sorry. And had hot chocolate.”

“Sounds like a lot of fun.”

“It was.”

I sigh. “I guess we should head back.” I look at Rachel and she sticks out her lower lip for a second, then smiles at me. I’m not quite ready to go home yet, and it seems, she isn’t either.

We all go back to the cabin and make sure it is secure against the weather and any nosy critters. I hesitate on the porch.

“Benjy. Would you mind taking Lilly back? Rachel and I will be along in a minute.”

He looks confused for a moment, then seems to realize why I am asking him to leave without us.

He gives me a nod and a smile. “Sure thing, Mr. Michaelson.”

I give Lilly a hug and kiss and tell her to make sure Benjy has a great adventure on the way back. She seems excited to go. Rachel and I both wave to them and watch them until they disappear down the trail.

I turn to her. “So. I guess I should’ve asked you first if you wanted to stay.”

She shrugs. “Well, you are the boss.”

“Yeah. Well, I don’t want to be your boss.”

“Are you firing me?”

I shake my head and step closer to her. “No, I’m promoting you.”

“Gee Mr. Michaelson. I don’t know what to say.”

I put my hands on her waist and pull her in close. “You don’t need to say anything.”

She puts her arms around my neck. “I think I’m going to like this promotion.”

I lean in and pause a moment, our lips just an inch apart. “No one here to interrupt again.”

“Just the two of us.”

I gently press my lips to hers. My heart is pounding a million beats a minute then I feel her body melt into mine. All the unspoken words and feelings I have for her are sealed at this moment.

I lean back and gaze into her sparkling hazel eyes. “So, are we really doing this?”

“I believe we are, Preston.”

I put my hand on her cheek and gently pull her in, kissing her again. “The adventure is just beginning.”

Epilogue

Rachel

Eighteen Months Later

Iam about as happy as I can be. Our wedding is beautiful and intimate, with just a few friends and family. Lilly is my bridesmaid, and she is delighted to be part of the celebration. We’d spent more time finding her the perfect dress than we did finding my wedding gown. But in the end, we were both happy. She looks and says she feels, like a princess. And I have to admit, I do too, in my very understated dress. After all, it isn’t about the dress. It is about the man. Becoming Preston’s wife is all I really care about. The rest is just frosting.

We have our reception at the house, with a few more people than had been at the wedding but, still, we keep it small and intimate. It is perfect, and we planned it early enough in the day to give us time to get to our honeymoon spot.

We could’ve gone anywhere—Hawaii, Paris, the Caribbean. But we both want to go somewhere that means something to us. Somewhere special. The place where it all began.

After we say goodbye to our guests, we change out of our wedding attire and put on jeans, hiking boots, and jackets. It looks like it’s goingto rain and we want to be prepared. I hope it does rain. A rainstorm would make it perfect.

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