Page 71 of The Magical Bed & Breakfast

Rory’s heart thumped in his chest.

“I always knew you would leave Hazard, but I thought that meant leaving me.”

He shook his head. He had spent days thinking this through. Now he just needed Kate to come to the same conclusion. Breath tight in his chest, he held himself back, waiting on her words.

“I always knew, and yet we had worked together on every single, itty-bitty thing since you showed up on my front steps. From furniture to stalkers. You helped me with all my problems.”

He couldn’t hold back any longer. He took a step toward her. When he spoke, his voice came out raspy. “And you helped me with mine.”

She nodded slowly. “We solved them all.”

One more step toward her. “Somewhere in the midst of all of that, I fell head over heels.”

Kate’s lips frowned. “So what if you don’t stay…I’ll be busy. I don’t need you here every moment of every day, or even every day or every week.” She met his gaze straight on. “I’ll still love you.”

Rory caught his breath as Kate searched his eyes. She looked at him then, long and lingering as if memorizing his every feature. His stomach dropped. This was goodbye. He started to nod, accepting, but then a tiny smile danced over her lips.

“No, that isn’t a problem, not at all. I don’t need you underfoot all the time. You are always welcome here, in your home.” She gave him a soft smile.

She’d said,Your home.

His home.

Rory swallowed and realized the truth of her words. “It is…my home.” It was a revelation. “Believe me, I never expected I would say that about the Hazard Inn.”

“The Worthy Inn,” Kate corrected.

Rory raised a brow.

“I decided on the name this morning.”

He gave a nod of acknowledgement. “I like it. It’s my home, Kate, because you’re here. Home isn’t just a place, for me it’s you. My home is whereveryouare.”

“And I will be right here, at the Worthy Bed and Breakfast Inn.” With that she stepped into his arms.

Epilogue

And some of us learn to embrace the magic of everymoment.

Thanksgiving was Kate’sfavorite holiday, at least for today. She had all of the Hazard Historical Society at her table, along with Malory, Marjorie’s granddaughter (now the town’s newly elected mayor), Ivy and Jaxon, and even Ivy’s sister Holly. Jaxon’s little Scottie dog, normally well behaved, kept barking at shadows—which didn’t bother Kate at all. Her two newly hired maids, college students who hadn’t traveled home to their families, added their limitless energy to Kate’s first holiday gathering. Her dining table was full, but for one spot.

And then Rory appeared. She’d double checked earlier that her doors were locked, so he must have come through the tunnels. His secret entrance to her inn, just like his secret entrance to her heart.

He stepped close and the scent of him overrode her senses, a mix of a bit outdoorsy, slightly dusty electronics, and leather. She took a deep whiff as his hands stroked down her arms to catch hold of her hand.

“I couldn’t stay away. Seven hours on a plane. Four miserable hours in airports, but all so worth it for this.” He tugged her close, whisking her into the kitchen. He cupped her face and leaned in for a lingering kiss. He spoke against her lips. “You have me for twenty-four idyllic hours before I have to catch a flight back to California.”

Eyes closed and basking in their stolen moment, Kate held on, her arms tight around him. “Perfect, now I have even more to be thankful for.”

“We’re so blessed.”

She looked into his eyes, and grinned. “That says it all.”

In unison, they cocked their heads to listen to the sounds coming from the dining room. “I think they’re starting without us.”

In her high, clear, sweet voice, Ivy was singing the Hazard blessing:

Thou wholoveth,

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