Page 145 of Finders Keepers

As she walks away, Gavin moves closer to me and we watch Sophie and Tommy playing, their laughter mixing with the general hum of conversation and music in the room.

“Mary Beth offered me the flower shop,” I say suddenly, still processing the conversation from earlier.

Gavin’s arm tightens slightly. “Yeah?”

“She wants to retire, spend more time with her grandkids.” I turn to look at him. “She thinks I could run it.”

“Of course you could.” There’s no hesitation in his voice. “You’re amazing with the customers, your designs are beautiful, and you have a natural business sense. The question is, do you want to?”

I look around the room, at all these people who’ve welcomed us so completely. I look at Sophie, who’s now playing the same game of “keepy uppy” that they played at her birthday party. At the life we’re building here, piece by piece.

“I think I do,” I whisper. “I really think I do.”

“Then that’s what matters.” He kisses my temple again, a gesture that’s become so familiar and comforting. “Whatever you decide, I’m right here with you.”

I take another look around the room. Mr. Henry and Ms. Lucy are indeed engaged in what appears to be a spirited debate about window displays, with Mr. Locke playing referee. Mary Beth is showing Molly something on her phone, probably pictures of her grandkids. The ice cream station has a new group of attendees creating their masterpieces.

It hits me at that moment, this isn’t just a welcome party. It’s a beginning. These people, this town, they’re not just being nice to the newcomers. They’re investing in us, making space for us in their lives, their businesses, their future.

And I feel something settle deep in my bones. This is what home feels like. This is what family means. And for the first time in a very long time, I’m not afraid of tomorrow. The weight of constant fear lifts just a little more with each step I take toward my future.

Iwake slowly, the morning light filtering through the blinds casting a warm glow across the bedroom. I roll over in the king-sized bed, my hand reaching out to trace feather-light hearts on Gavin’s chest. He stirs, his skin warm beneath my fingertips, and opens his eyes, a lazy smile spreading across his face.

Even after four months, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this. Waking up next to him, feeling this content. It’s October now and after experiencing my first actual Texas summer with heat in the triple digits almost every day, I’m glad for the cold fronts that are coming through, although Gavin tells me this is a “false fall,” whatever that means. The mornings have that crisp autumn feel, but he warns me not to get too excited since the afternoons still climb into the nineties. Still, I’ll take these moments of relief where I can get them, savoring the brief taste of fall weather while it lasts.

“Good morning, beautiful.” His voice is deep and gravelly with sleep.

I smile back, feeling a flutter in my chest at the endearment. “Good morning.”

He pulls me on top of him, his hands sliding down my back, drawing me closer. I fit perfectly against him, my legs straddling his hips, and I lean down to press a soft kiss to his lips. He deepens it, his hands moving up to tangle in my hair, and I melt into him, everything else fades away.

His lips are soft and insistent, and I lose myself in the kiss, my hands roaming across his chest, savoring the feel of his skin under my palms and I can feel his heart beating steadily beneath my hands, a comforting rhythm that matches the pace of my own.

I pull back slightly, breaking the kiss, and look down at him, my hair falling around us like a curtain. “Good morning,” I whisper again, a smile playing at the corners of my mouth.

He chuckles, one hand cupping the back of my head. “It is now.”

I laugh, and he pulls me down for another kiss, his lips claiming mine with an intensity that takes my breath away. I feel his smile against my mouth, and I can’t help but smile back, my heart light and happy in a way it hasn’t been in a long time.

“Speaking of good mornings,” Gavin says, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, “are you ready for our weekend? Sophie’s going to love the arboretum and botanical gardens today.”

I smile up at him with the mention of our plans. “I can’t wait to see all the fall flowers. Mary Beth told me they do this amazing pumpkin display with over 75,000 pumpkins. Can you imagine?”

“Only you would get this excited about plants.” He kisses my forehead. “But that’s one of the things I love about you.”

The word ‘love’ still sends butterflies through my stomach. After Matt, I never thought I’d hear that word and feel safe. But with Gavin, everything’s different.

“Oh! I need to pack Sophie’s sketch pad. She’ll want to draw everything she sees.” I start to climb off him, but he holds me in place.

“Before you go into full planning mode, don’t forget your call with Angela at ten.”

My excitement dims slightly. “Oh right, the lawyer.”

“Yeah. She needs to update you on the lawsuit against the courthouse.” His hands rub soothing circles on my back. “Hey, I know it’s scary but that clerical error from Dale’s office was a major screw up and things could have been way worse.”

I nod, trying to push down the anxiety that bubbles up whenever I think about anything related to Matt. Even behind bars, serving his maximum sentence, he still has this power to affect me. “I still can’t believe it.”

“And now that attorney is paying for it. Big time.” Gavin’s voice carries a hint of satisfaction. “That judge was furious when she found out their mistake put you and Sophie in danger.”

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