Page 86 of Pick Yourself Up
“From what you’ve told me, she was delicate but full of strength. Full of joy. That’s what I was hoping these would show.”
Finally, he lifted his head and brushed the hair back from her face. His damp eyes held so much emotion. “My mamma and Angelina are beaming with approval right now.”
She smiled. “I wish I’d known them.”
He kissed her forehead. “You might never have met them, but you’ve proven you know them. Thank you. This is the most amazing present.”
“I’m so glad.”
“I love you, Amber.” Without giving her a moment to respond, he swooped her into his arms. “I think I need to show you how much.”
She laughed as he headed to the owner’s suite and its big, comfy bed.
It turned out to be a very good show.
A few weeks later…
Gray surveyed the snow blanketing his gardens. He’d experienced snow before, so it wasn’t a complete shock to the system, but the thought of living in it for the next few months was both disconcerting and exciting.
People were constantly telling him there was nothing like a Vermont winter. He figured that was right, but he also knew he wouldn’t be running scared.
Certainly not without Amber. With her as an anchor, he knew he’d live happily anywhere on earth she wanted to be.
For the next few months, there wasn’t much for him to do for the gardens except plan. He had the overall plan and a lot of his ideas ready to go. Now, he’d have time to lock down the details, knowing the soil would be healthy in the spring and ready to produce a garden full of blooms and more.
A complete sensory space with the added bonus of fresh herbs and vegetables. Berries and mushrooms, too.
If Amber hired a cook before then, he’d let them have some input on the final choices in the kitchen garden. Although he figured his mamma’s teachings would have him making good choices there. Especially if they could find an Italian cook.
His buddy Babs loved to cook. Seth might not be Italian, but he’d be a great fit. Too bad he’d stuck it out in the army for another tour. Probably had another year left unless he re-upped again.
Gray scuffed his boots in the white stuff. The locals told him it would maybe stick around for the season. It was barely November. But it made his inner child light up.
He’d have to study up on the climate zone and figure out when to start the seedlings indoors. The kitchen had wide sills on the south-facing windows. He could start all kinds of plants. He’d also order some grow lights. With the growing season being so short, he’d get as many started early as he could. Extend the growing season by at least a few weeks. Their roots would be strong enough to transplant when the weather warmed.
Kind of like him. Putting down roots here felt right on so many levels.
It was going to be amazing to see the gardens take on life in the spring. In his mind’s eye, he imagined each area. It was somehow easier to imagine with the white covering providing a clean slate. He could see the pathways and the full blooms, the butterflies and bees.
Even without Amber in his life, this had been the right move. Adding in Amber, he was happier than he could have ever imagined.
Time to lock it in.
The only questions were how and when.
Amber was a private person, even with her family. He knew she wouldn’t want a public display. But he wanted it to be special. Wanted her to feel desired and loved. He wanted it to be the perfect start to the rest of their lives.
And that was a lot of pressure.
He’d been walking around with the ring in his pocket for days and still hadn’t figured it out.
Instead of worrying about it, he headed to the inn. Stan Phail had dropped off more boxes of items from his friends and probably from his garage. The man was having a blast finding treasures for Amber to use.
He’d had an apple farm once and was excited about the progress Thea and the rest were making with the composting and the farm in general. He’d sent dozens of people their way to buy crates of the apples they’d picked.
They’d sold way more than Gray had expected, with people coming from other nearby towns as well. In the end, they’d spent a few more days picking and stocking up the climate-controlled room in the barn.
That way, they could play with recipes over the winter. He’d put in another couple of calls to Nash and he thought his buddy might be caving. Especially when Knox added calls of his own.
