Chapter 38
A text awakened Jonah from his fitful sleep. Judging from the faint light streaming into his cabin, the day was just dawning.
He reached blindly for his phone.
The text was from Javi. Morning. Thanks for lending an ear yesterday. Let’s get together again soon.
Jonah set the phone back on the nightstand. They’d gone snowmobiling yesterday and had stopped at Birdie’s Deli for a late
dinner. Javi and his wife were doing much better now that the slow season was underway. Jonah was glad to hear it. When Javi
had asked about him, Jonah tried to put on a good face. But Javi had seen right through him.
“I know you miss her, man. You don’t have to pretend.”
“I’m not trying to pretend. I just... There’s nothing to be done, you know? It is what it is. I just have to...” Forget her? Fall out of love with her? How did a person even go about that? “Move on.”
Javi leaned back in the booth. “Allison told me about Carson. Is that what’s eating at you?”
Because, yes, Carson had gotten that residency in Boston he’d been hoping for. He’d soon be in Lauren’s backyard for the foreseeable future. He’d probably already reached out and invited her to dinner or some thing. Jealousy twisted Jonah’s gut. He should want the best for her. So why did the thought of her with another man make him crazy? “She deserves to be happy.”
“She was happy with you. I saw it firsthand.”
“Sadly, she doesn’t remember that.” He gave his head a shake. “She’s made her choice. She doesn’t want me anymore.” Voicing
the thought made his bruised heart ache.
Javi regarded him for a long moment. “I’m sorry. I really am. I’d hoped it would work out.”
Jonah shoved the memory away and pushed out of bed. He just had to keep putting one foot in front of the other. These past
seven weeks he’d powered through the days one hour at a time—and he’d go on doing so. What choice did he have?
He stretched out his back. Cedar didn’t have the most comfortable mattress, but he’d refused to take Lauren’s cabin. No way
would he live and sleep in a place that still smelled like her.
But he couldn’t get away from her. Everywhere he looked, there was Lauren. Not only in the cabin where she’d slept, but on
the pier and in the lodge. The coffee shop, his favorite restaurants. Not to mention the barn. It turned out his parents had
been right about that. Her fingerprints were on every square inch of the place. It was a monstrous monument to the woman he
loved.
And there was no avoiding it because he had to maintain it and oversee its rental. A day didn’t go by that the venue didn’t
absorb some of his time. Part of him wished he could just let the weeds claim it again, but that wasn’t an option. The renovation
had been costly. It would earn itself out, but that would take time. Maybe it had been a smart business decision, but it was
eating away at his soul.
When he got down or felt lonely, he tried to imagine Lauren in Boston, living her best life. He pictured her thriving in her new job, happy and fulfilled. But there was no man in this imaginary utopia. He couldn’t quite get there yet.
In reality he had no real idea what her life was like. She rarely posted on social media. But he had been stalking the Glitter
website. A few weeks ago they’d added her professional headshot along with a bio. The brief paragraph told him nothing new.
But he spent way too much time gazing at the beautiful photo, wondering if she was happy. If she missed him at all.
Enough wallowing.
Jonah went to turn on the shower. The best thing he could do was stay busy. So as he stepped under the spray of water he turned
his mind to his job, mentally reviewing his chores and errands for the day. First on the list: restocking the dwindling woodpile.
***
A thud awakened Lauren. She stirred from the semiconscious state she’d been in since she’d flung herself into bed. She pulled
the covers to her chin, hunkering against the morning chill as the memory of last night rose like fog in her brain.
She’d arrived at the resort around three and searched for a vacancy. Apparently Jonah had not taken her old cabin—the dusting
of snow in front of the door was undisturbed. She made herself at home in her old bed and waited for morning.
She must’ve fallen asleep. She stretched, becoming more aware. Early dawn light seeped through the curtains. And the rhythmic
thudding coming from outside jarred her wide awake. She smiled at the familiar sound. Jonah was chopping wood.
She flung off the covers and went to the window. Through the parted curtains, she spotted him down the way and her heart bucked.
Then slowly, trepidation leaked through her veins like poison. What if he’d given up on her? What if he didn’t want her back?
She’d left him in the dust for a job . How stupid she’d been. Why was hindsight so clear?
Graham nuzzled her hand and she petted him absently. Then she went to the bathroom for a quick refresh. The mirror revealed
a disheveled, worried version of herself.
After swishing the complimentary mouthwash, she smoothed her hair and slapped some pink into her cheeks. “All right, girl.
This is it. Be brave.” She left the bathroom and put on her shoes and coat, then regarded Graham. “We’re gonna do this, buddy.
You ready?”
When she opened the door he shot out like a torpedo. She followed in his path, watching as he approached Jonah. Watching as
Jonah spotted him. He stopped midswing and turned abruptly, searching for her.
Then he found her.
Lauren froze as their gazes collided. She couldn’t look away. The moment drew out, long and intense. Awareness crackled in
the distance between them. Her heart stuttered, waiting for some sign from him.
Then his lips turned up.
And that was all she needed. She started walking, unable to keep from returning his smile. And the closer she got, the wider
his smile stretched. The more his eyes sparkled.
He tossed the axe aside just in time to catch her in his arms.
She wrapped herself around him and held him tight. Breathed him in. “Jonah.” It felt so good to have his strong arms around her. She never wanted him to let her go. She squeezed her eyes against the
sting of tears. “I missed you so much. I’m sorry for everything I put you through.”
He drew back, a look of relief in his eyes. “You got your memory back.”
She chuckled. “No.”
His smile wilted a bit and his brows knitted as he searched her face. “I don’t understand.”
She palmed his face. “Understand this, Jonah Landry. I love you. You made me fall in love with you—not once but twice. And
I don’t want to be apart anymore. I want to live here and work here and be with you forever and ever, if you’ll have me.”
He drank her in. “Wait. You love me?”
“I drove all the way here in the middle of the night, didn’t I? I’m wrapped up with you like a burrito. I said the words out
loud. Now are you gonna kiss me or what?”
He didn’t waste a second. Just leaned in and brushed his lips gently across hers. There was so much in his kiss. Devotion,
joy, want, hope. Her mind spun with all the sensations even as her heart healed with love’s tender balm. There was something
familiar in his searching kiss. In his reverent touch. In his exquisite taste.
Jonah tasted like home.
He withdrew, tears in his eyes. “You’re really here. I thought I’d lost you forever.”
She placed a hand on his bristly cheek and gazed at him, a promise in her eyes. “I’ll never leave you again. So much has happened
since I left. I can’t wait to tell you everything. But later. Right now I just want to make up for lost time.”
She kissed him again. And soon she was breathless and so warm she was about to melt entire acres of snow.
Then he jolted away from her, bracing her with his hands on her arms. “Wait right here.” He was already trotting toward the
lodge, Graham on his heels.
“Jonah...,” she called with a chuckle.
“Be right back! Don’t go anywhere.”
She gave a huff of laughter as the door slapped shut behind him. “Where would I go?” She was already home. So she stood alone in the quiet pine forest, waiting, her thoughts spinning, her heart full. She was about to burst with the happiness welling up inside her. She wrapped her arms around her waist, reveling in how easily he’d welcomed her back into his arms, into his life.
Less than a minute later he exited the lodge and strode toward her. His expression was more serious now. His mouth set in
a resolute line.
By the time he stopped in front of her, she was a bundle of nerves.
Then he dropped to one knee. And there was the ring, the diamond twinkling in the morning light.
She gasped.
He gazed up at her, love shining in his eyes. “Lauren Wentworth, you stole my heart. I was afraid to fall in love with you,
but there was no stopping it. Those walls you put up guard such a soft, beautiful heart. Once I saw you, really saw you, there
was no one else for me. You’re it, honey. There’s never gonna be anyone else.” Tears gathered again in his eyes. “I want so
much to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you. Will you be my wife?”
Overwhelmed, Lauren struggled to choke out words. She brushed away a fallen tear.
“That isn’t the proposal I’d originally planned, but I wanted to ask before you changed your mind.”
She framed his face. “I’m not changing my mind, you dope. And it was perfect in every way. My answer’s yes, Jonah. Yes, yes,
yes .”
He flashed a grin as he stood and drew her into her arms. He kissed her again, that beautiful mouth of his demanding a response she was only too happy to give. Long moments later she was melting under his skilled lips. He was very good at this. She’d had many questions over the past few months, but right now there was only one: How in the world had she forgotten this ?
When their breaths were ragged and their skin heated, he drew away, putting only a few inches between them. “I almost forgot
how good this was.”
“Well, I totally forgot, and now I’m kicking myself for all the time we lost. Jonah, you’re everything to me. I’ve never been
so happy in all my life. Thank you for being so patient with me.”
“You’re worth the wait, honey.”
Her heart melted at the sweet words, at the tenderness on his face. Then a movement from her periphery caught her attention.
“Um, Jonah, your parents are watching from the window.”
“Well, I wouldn’t let them come out.”
She snorted.
“They begged.”
Typical. She slid her hand up to his shoulder so she could admire the beautiful ring. The familiar ring. “Um, Jonah, I couldn’t love the ring more. But full disclosure here... This isn’t exactly the first time I’ve seen
it.”
He leaned back. “What?”
Just then Tammy rushed from the lodge, beaming at them. Tom lumbered behind her. They’d waited as long as they could.
“It seems we have company,” Lauren said. “I’ll fill you in later.”
Then she was swept up into a hug. Tammy was gushing and blubbering. Well, all of them were blubbering a little. After an exchange
of hellos and hugs and congratulations, their happy little party headed for the warmth of the lodge, Jonah’s arm draped around
her shoulders.
His parents entered ahead of them.
“Um, wait a minute.” Lauren held Jonah back, then glanced back toward the barn. “I was just wondering... By any chance
is my dream job still available?”
“Are you sure that’s what you want? I can move to Boston, Lauren. I’d move there in a heartbeat to be with you.”
Lauren shook her head. “This is what I want. This is my home.”
He kissed her nose. “Then don’t you worry, sweetheart. We’ve been holding that job just for you.”