Page 75 of Love Inn Books

“You are,” she whispers, her face softening.

“Paige Rhiannon Mills, will you be my wife and hate me for the rest of your life?”

“Yes, I will,” she says as she pulls me in for a kiss. “Only, I won’t hate you. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Oh my God! I get to open another letter!” Her eyes widen. “There’s a letter in the binder for when I get engaged. I have to go get the binder.”

“I brought it. It’s in the Jeep.” I smile. I knew she would want that letter right away.

She races out to the Jeep and throws open the door and runs back with it.

We sit on the front porch in our new rocking chairs.

She now notices the iced teas I left on the little table next to our chairs, facing the sunset. “Did you think of everything?”

“I tried.”

She sits with the binder, and her hands shake as she opens the zipper pouch and pulls out a faded envelope with her mother’s familiar handwriting on the front. It says: Open when you find the man you’ll marry.

She opens it and takes out a letter. A stack of hundred-dollar bills falls out. “Oh my goodness,” she says, reaching down and grabbing them up.

She unfolds the letter and reads it quietly to herself. I watch her, thinking I can watch her for the rest of my life. Nothing else matters. When she’s done, she hands me the letter.

My Beautiful Paige,

You did it! I’m so happy for you both! You’ve found your partner in life. Your soulmate. I know you chose wonderfully. You deserve a man who makes you feel loved and cherished. I hope he’s everything you dreamed of and more. Because only the best for my sweet girl.

I am missing you so much today, sweet girl. I want so badly to go dress shopping with you and help you pick out your dress. So, this one’s on me. I’m coming with you in spirit. I want you to find a dress that makes you feel as beautiful as you are. Let’s go shopping, love Bug.

I hope you go on a beautiful honeymoon. Go somewhere you can make beautiful memories. If Harry isn’t there to walk you down the aisle, just remember he’s with me, and we’ll be right there with you two.

I love you and I’m so proud of you, Bug.

Love big,

Mom

We watch the sunset quietly, her hand tucked in mine.

“I love you,” I whisper.

“I love you more,” she whispers back.

The End

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