Page 118 of Love in the Storm

“Asa, I?—”

He cut her off with a searing kiss that left her breathless. Fast or slow, Asa’s kisses always reaffirmed his love without words, but this one had the memories of what he’d done for her today. Memories that shaped their future.

If she ever looked back, now she’d have this to remember—unfailing love.

When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. And smiled. “I love you. Sorry for cutting you off, but I wanted to say it first this time.”

Lyric looked up at him with a smile. Her heart was fuller than ever, and the joy overpowered all the stress of the day. “I think that means I win either way.”

EPILOGUE

LYRIC

Lyric glanced over her shoulder. The fellowship hall at the church was full of her friends and family, but they were all busy chatting with each other.

Friends. Family. They were hers. Well, Asa’s family wasn’t technically hers yet, but her heart didn’t know the difference. She’d been living with Betty—Granny as she insisted Lyric call her—for six months now, and every time Lyric mentioned getting her own place, Granny said there wasn’t a point. Sometimes, Lyric brought it up just to be reminded that Asa might propose to her one day, and she would be an official member of the Scott family.

The moment her fingers touched the cupcake wrapper, Jacob appeared beside her.

“Can I have one too?”

Jacob didn’t let her get away with anything, andshe couldn’t tell him no now. Not when she’d been caught in the act.

She nodded to the cupcake table. “Grab one and meet me in the kitchen.” Lyric chose a yellow one with white sprinkles, and Jacob picked blue.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Jacob asked, “Why are you sneaking? It’s your party. You can have as many cupcakes as you want.”

“I’ve already had two.”

Jacob shrugged. “So?”

Lyric bumped Jacob’s hip with hers. “I love that you don’t judge me.”

“I love that you let me have another cupcake. Dad said three was enough.”

Lyric gasped. “Jacob! We’re both in trouble now.”

Stuffing the remaining half of the cupcake in his mouth, Jacob held up his hands. No evidence.

Lyric sighed. “I’m trying to be on my best behavior.”

“Why? It’s your birthday. You can do whatever you want.”

“I don’t know where you got that idea.”

“You told me that like seven times on my birthday,” Jacob reminded her.

The door opened, and Lyric tossed the last bite of her cupcake in the sink behind her where it landed with a thump. When Asa walked in, Lyric and Jacob were the picture of innocence.

“What are you two doing?” Asa asked, narrowinghis eyes at the two of them.

“Nothing,” Jacob said quickly.

Asa eyed them with skepticism. “Anyway, everyone is waiting on you.”

Lyric frowned. “Why?”

“You have presents to open,” Asa reminded her.

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