Page 77 of Whisper of Temptation (Whisper Lake 4)

Her shoulders stiffened and alarm flashed on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Nothing’s wrong, I just…” He knew he was blowing this. “I spoke to Karen and Sly, and they want to continue on as the caretakers of the B&B.”

The worry that had shadowed Sara’s features instantly morphed into happiness. “Oh good. I’m so glad. I was hoping you’d let them stay on if they wanted to. I wanted to ask you about it but…”

“But what?”

Her left shoulder lifted in a shrug. “It wasn’t my place.”

“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. It is your place. My life is your place, your business, and I want your life and the kids’ lives to be my place. My business. We may have only known each other for a week, but that doesn’t change the truth. And the truth is that me, you, the kids, we’re an us. We belong together.

“The reason I spoke to the Carpenters is because I wanted to make sure the B&B would be taken care of when I move to California.”

Sara stopped mid sway. “You’re moving to California?”

“Yes. I am. I’m sorry about last night. I know it was unfair of me to ask you to stay here with me when you have the kids and family in Hope Falls.” While he was talking to Brielle it hit him what the unsettled feeling he’d had about their talk was. He’d been selfish. She shouldn’t have to change her plans for him. He needed to change his plans for her. He just hoped she was okay with it.

As he stared into her eyes, he grinned at the stunned expression on her face. Brushing a stray hair from her forehead, he tucked it behind her ear as he explained, “So instead of asking you to stay, I’m asking to go where you are. Because you’re my home, Sara. You and the kids. I love you. I think I’ve loved you from the second I saw you. We can take things as slow as you want. If it was up to me I would marry you tonight, move in together, and start building our life with the kids. But I know that might sound crazy to you. We can date, or just get to know each other better. If you don’t want me in Hope Falls because you think it will confuse the kids, I can move to Lake Ta—”

“I’m not moving to Hope Falls,” she blurted out.

“What?” Austin wasn’t sure he’d heard her right.

A smile slowly spread on her beautiful face. “I’m not moving to Hope Falls.”

“Oh, okay, well then I’ll move to Arizona. I’ll go wherever I have to go to be with you.”

“Well, that might be easier than you think.” Her grin grew wider, and he saw tears filling her bottom lids. “I called the movers this morning and told them there was a change of plans and they needed to come to Illinois instead of California.”

“You did?” Austin asked in disbelief.

She nodded. “I did.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can move—”

She lifted her hand and rested it on his chest. “I want to. Trevor and Charlotte love it here. And I do too. I didn’t know it until my very wise sister pointed it out, but I do. She told me I had fallen in love with two things. You and Whisper Lake. And she was right. I have.”

“You love me?” He needed to hear her say the words.

“Yes, I love you.” Sara let out a forced laugh. “And I think we shouldn’t take it slow. I like your plan. Getting married, building our life together.”

“Are you sure?” He asked the same thing she’d asked him all week.

“As much as it terrifies me, yes. I’m sure.”

He lifted her in his arms and hugged her firmly against him as he buried his face in her neck. Happiness like he’d never experienced rushed through him, and he inhaled the sweet strawberry scent of her soft, silky hair. He whispered in her ear as he tightened his hold around her, “You don’t have to be scared. I’ll drive.”

He could feel her head nodding against his shoulder when he heard Trevor calling for her and saw him running toward them. He lowered her down, and before her feet even touched the ground, Trevor was in front of them.

“Mom…can I…go…to…Cassidy and…Kimber’s for….dinner?” he managed to get out between pants. “They’re making their own pizzas and Mrs. Caldwell said the more the harrier.”

“Merrier,” Sara corrected with a grin.

“Mommy, I want to go to dinner,” Charlotte, who’d been dancing beside them with Sally, chimed in when she heard her brother ask.

“Oh…um…well…” Sara looked uncertain of how to answer Charlotte.

Before she got the chance Trevor’s face dropped. “Oh no! What about the castle?! It’s our last night!”

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