Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
PARKER
A month later
My dad gave me a bear hug, clapping me on the back the way he always did, hard enough to knock the breath out of me. He stepped back. “I’m so glad you were here for our visit.”
My lips curled into a smile. “I’m glad too, Dad. You got to meet Luna.”
His gaze swung to Luna who stood beside me talking with Stella’s mom.
“You make the best donuts I’ve ever had,” my dad enthused.
Luna’s cheeks turned a little pink when she smiled over at him. “I appreciate that. It’s really good to meet you.”
“You can come visit us anytime, but we’re looking into a move here.” My dad lifted his hands up in the air. “Stella is here, you’re here, and now you’re getting married soon. I mean, if you have kids, we wanna be close to spoil our grandkids.”
As I held my dad’s eyes, my chest felt tight with emotion. He’d always been somewhat over-enthusiastic with affection. He was still that way, and I loved that about him.
“We’d love that,” Luna said.
“Well, we’re looking into options. We don’t own a house in Fireweed Harbor, so as soon as our lease is up, if we can find something here, we’ll move. We’re gonna figure it out.” He smiled at Elaine. “But we have a ferry to catch, so we gotta go.”
There were hugs all around before they drove away in their rental car.
“I’m really glad I got to meet your dad and your stepmom.” Luna smiled up at me.
“I am too.” That emotion tightened again. It was surprising for me to care about someone meeting my dad, but Luna meant so much. “The timing for their visit was good. I’m probably gonna have to head out soon to that fire up near Fairbanks. Our crew is on rotation.”
Luna nodded. “I know. I may never love you traveling, but I know it’s part of your job, and you love it.”
I dusted a kiss on her cheek. When I lifted my head, she added, “I need to pop back inside to check with Janet about a few things. Do you want to come with me?”
“Absolutely.” It was still pretty early in the morning. “I can always have more coffee,” I pointed out with a grin.
Luna squeezed my hand as we walked into the cafe together. Janet was busy checking on something in the oven in the back. “I’m so glad you’re here!” she exclaimed the minute her eyes clapped on Luna.
“Yeah? I’m always glad to see you, but what are you so excited about?” Luna asked.
“I think I messed up a batch of donuts. And we’re already out,” Janet offered with a sheepish smile.
Luna shrugged. “There’s always extra dough in the refrigerator.” She quickly got to work, and Casey came in the back to hand me a coffee.
In the month since my mom had shown up and Luna’s parents had returned in their RV, Luna and I had settled into a rhythm.
Janet was busy finalizing the timeline for when Luna would take over the café.
Luna was already doing all the baking there and planned to start managing it within the next month, but Janet would keep ownership for five years, or less, until Luna felt ready to fully take over.
My mom had left town. She had my phone number, and I had hers, but for now, that was it.
Luna’s parents had shocked Luna because they decided to stay in town.
She’d initially guessed they’d change their mind and start traveling again.
Her dad had taken a small construction job with a business in the area, and her mother was actually working at the local pharmacy.
They’d even done a final video for their channel, simply sharing they would update if anything changed for them, but they were taking a break.
As for Luna and me, I was staying with her every night.
“This coffee is perfect.” I gave a thumbs up to Casey.
She grinned over at me. “I know your favorite,” she teased.
Luna moved at lightning speed, shaping the donuts and checking on another batch of dough that was rising.
Janet caught my eye where I waited with my hips resting on the edge of a stool across from Luna. Janet was getting a tray of baked goods to carry up to the front. “You seem like a happy man, Parker.” Her tone was light.
I did a mental body check before a slow smile stretched at the corners of my lips. “I am a happy man.”
A little while later, Luna and I walked out of the café. Her hand was warm in mine. When I looked down at her, a feeling that was linked solely to her gusted through me like a warm breeze. A sense of comfort laced with strands of joy.
I stopped her when we reached my truck. “What is it?” she asked.
I dipped my head and gave her a lingering kiss. “What if we went ahead and got married?”