Page 97 of The Pumpkin Spice Spell
“It is. I wanted to show you something and see what you thought,” I say as I pull in front of one cabin that’s dark.
“Okay,” she says hesitantly as she zips up her coat, and we get out.
“Remy says I can have this one, and I wanted to know if you wanted to make a home here with me,” I turn and say quickly, “I know it’s fast, but I want to make a home for us.”
Willa’s eyes go soft, and she says, “I love it.”
“Really?” I say as I pull her into me, and she nods.
I tip my lips to hers and kiss her softly, holding her tightly. I pull back and stare at her, wondering how the hell I got so lucky with Willa. “Okay.”
“It’s pretty magical out here,” she says as she runs her fingers over the front porch railing and looks over at the porch swing. The cabin overlooks a pond that the moon reflects off of.
I open the door and turn on the light as she follows me in. It’s small, but the natural wood makes it feel like a nice home. The black Buck stove in the corner is ready to be lit and make the whole space cozy. Remy has already stacked a fresh pile of wood outside.
“Yeah,” she says softly. “We could definitely make this work.”
Relief fills me. “Okay, I’ll let Remy know.”
Her arms circle me, and she pulls me in and kisses me. “Imagine what it would look like in here with a Christmas tree and decorated so beautiful. And all the snow outside. I would never want to leave.”
“We can do that,” I promise. “And there’re plenty of trees to choose from.”
“Well, that’s good, because I want this with you.” She kisses my cheek and lays her head on my shoulder.
I kiss her again, deeper this time, my hands sliding over her back, and for a second, the whole cabin feels like it’s already ours.
Chapter 29
Willa
The sea used to be where I felt free.
But now?
Freedom would be waking up next to you,
every morning,
right here.
-Tate
The snow’s melted into little puddles along the sidewalk, and it’s quiet this morning, and I’m grateful for it. It’s a perfect pause between festival chaos and Thanksgiving prep. Today is a big baking day, and we are getting ready for our friends’ feast tomorrow, a tradition we do every year.
Ivy perches on the stool at the counter, nursing a mug of tea while Cobweb purrs on the windowsill, watching the leaves flutter in the breeze on the ground, tail flicking in rhythm with the soft music playing overhead.
“You’re glowing,” Ivy says with a grin, nudging her mug toward mine. “What’s it like to be finally, disgustingly happy?”
I laugh and lean against the counter. “It’s amazing. Like, actually amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this grounded in my entire life. Like…I know where I belong.”
Ivy raises a brow and gives me that big-sister-you-chose look. “How do you feel about moving out to the cabin?”
“I’m really excited,” I admit, my cheeks warming. “Tate and I—” I pause, heart fluttering a little just saying it out loud. “We’re building something real. It’s…a life. A future. I didn’t think we’d have this.”
I take a breath, trying not to get emotional. “We’re decorating the cabin this week. I already found the perfect garland for the fireplace. And I ordered stockings. One for me, one for him, and one for Cobweb.”
Ivy gasps dramatically. “Family stockings. You’re officially a family.”
