Page 148 of True North

HARRY

Everything has to be perfect.

Candles—check.

New drapes covering the restaurant’s oversized windows—Mama’s input got that one over the line.

The old Italian lady’s famous fettuccine—check.

And, as if she hadn’t done enough for Louisa and me already, one Italian chocolate cake. Freshly baked, iced, and waiting for us to devour it, however we see fit.

After a bit of wrangling, I convinced Lou to return the Mancinis’ cake slide this evening, claiming they needed to pack. Tomorrow, the Mancinis leave for Florida. After all they have done for Louisa and me, I’m glad I could help them out.

The front door opens, the small bell chiming. Louisa stops dead in her tracks. She smiles and studies me where I stand, flowers in hand, dressed in the best clothes I own, behind the table set for two.

“What are you up to, Harry Rawlins?” She chuckles and takes off her coat. The cake slide sits in her hand.

“Sit, darlin’.”

She pads to her side of the table, and I tug out her chair. She drops into it, and I hand her the bunch of flowers. Dusting a kiss onto her temple, I push her chair in.

“I’m just returning the cake slide. Did you set me up?” Her eyes narrow playfully.

“Actually, I think you were set up on many occasions. Apparently, the women in this town don’t take runnin’ off at the first sign of a proposal as an answer.”

She rolls her eyes but laughs. I take the silver slide from her and place it by the chocolate cake. “We’ll be needin’ this later.”

Her eyes darken, as if the memory of our last Italian chocolate cake found its way back. So, I lean down and pluck a thin folder from the ground and hand it to her before I lose the nerve.

She takes it, eyes never leavin’ me. “What is this?”

“Part ofyourlegacy.”

She drops her gaze to the folder and opens it. Her face crumples as she takes in the contents of the document.

“Harry, no. I can’t...”

I push out of my chair and squat by hers, taking the folder from her fingertips’ grip. I rest it on her lap and take her hands. “There is only one thing I have to do in this life, and that’s to take care of you. You have done the same for me, time and time again.”

“But the ranch. The money’s supposed to be for the ranch.”

“It is. Most of it. But this place is special to you. I want you to have it. The Mancinis received a more than fair price for it from the Connors. I simply bought them out. I think Brad had a little sway there. The first and last time that guy gets a pass from me.”

She huffs a small laugh. Her hands close over my jawline. “You, Harry Rawlins, are something else.”

I don’t respond. Not with words, at least, as I snatch that last thought up with a kiss. And I’m glad the new drapes are closed, because this man has zero control when it comes to this damn woman. I stand, my mouth still on hers. She reaches up, like I’m pulling away, likely to be lost forever.

Not this time.

Not ever again.

I sweep her out of her chair and deposit her on the edge of the table. Frantically, she shoves the food to one side. Turning back, her fingers make quick work of my shirt. It falls to the floor as I pull it over her head.

“Wait,” she breathes.

“Darlin’. No one can see. Nobody’s coming in here tonight.”

“It’s—” Each exhale crashes into my bare chest. She glances toward the kitchen before those green eyes meet mine. “What if I don’t want it anymore...”

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