Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
LYLA
“ I s this really necessary?” I laugh when he ties the fabric over my eyes, leaving me in pitch-black darkness.
“Yes,” he chuckles. “I don’t want you to see the surprise until it’s time.” He starts the truck and backs out of the driveway before heading down the road.
“I thought we were just going out for dinner.” I smooth my hands down the front of my black dress to keep my hands busy. I have no idea what his surprise is.
For the past two months, he has been very secretive. I’ve tried to pry it out of him, but he keeps saying it’s a surprise and he’ll show me when it’s ready. I guess tonight, I will finally know what he’s been up to.
“We are…just after my surprise. And no peeking,” he laughs when I tilt my head back to try and look under it.
“Fine,” I mutter.
The truck stops a few minutes later, and I hear his door open. “Stay right there, and don’t move.”
“So bossy.”
I smile when I hear him chuckle as he closes the door.
He helps me out and takes my arm, guiding me forward until we come to a stop a few steps later. His arms come up behind me, and he slowly unties the cloth.
I blink as the setting sun hits my eyes, and they adjust. We are standing on the sidewalk in the downtown area of Blue Haven. His tattoo place is a few doors down, along with the cafe and other storefronts.
“You’re taking me to your tattoo chair again?” I look around and try to figure out what I’m not seeing.
“No, although that’s very tempting,” he softly laughs in my ear. “Look up,” he whispers.
I glance up at the building in front of me and gasp when I see the sign.
Lyla’s Sweets
A hummingbird is carved into the wooden sign next to the name.
“What…How…” I whip my head around and see him grinning from ear to ear.
“When I heard Mr. and Mrs. Williams were retiring and wanting to sell this place, I immediately made them an offer. It’s the perfect location for your bakery. I also heard there’s a really hot tattoo artist who works nearby, and he has a very bad sweet tooth, so he’ll probably be stopping by any chance he can get.”
“Is that so,” I laugh before looking back at the sign as tears well up in my eyes.
His arms wrap around me, and I lean my head against him. “The good thing is that it was a bakery before, and they just had the kitchen and floors renovated. It’s practically move-in ready for you.
I’m not familiar with bread baking versus desserts, but I’m assuming most of the equipment you need in the kitchen is the same. We can replace anything that isn’t.”
“I can’t believe you did this,” I whisper, swiping at the tears that keep falling .
“Want to see the inside?” He dangles the key in my face, and I nod my head excitedly.
He unlocks the door and turns on the light. Roses fill the room in all different shades of color. “Jake, it’s beautiful,” I say in awe before turning back to him.
My throat catches as he gets down on one knee. I clutch my hummingbird necklace tightly as a sob escapes.
“Lyla Rose Pierce, I will forever be grateful that I came barrelling through that door and covered you in your chocolate desserts.”
I softly laugh through the tears as I wipe them away.
“I knew right away that our story was just beginning, and I would do everything in my power to bring those beautiful eyes back to life. What I didn’t know was how much life you would bring to mine. I fell deeply in love with you, and every day, I still fall even more. I want the dinners together every night and to see you dancing and smiling until your cheeks hurt. I want the late-night bourbon talks and beating you in strip pool nights,” he grins.
I laugh, dropping to my knees in front of him.
“I want you, little hummingbird,” he says softly. “All of you and all your days and nights ahead.” He takes my hand, and his grey eyes shine love into mine. “Will you marry me and take all of me, too?”
“Yes,” I nod quickly, my voice catching on a sob. “It will always be yes.”
He grins, his eyes lighting up, as he slides the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen on my finger. The silver band is lined with diamonds, and in the middle sits a diamond rose.
“It’s breathtaking,” I whisper.
“Just like you,” he smiles.
I hurl myself into his arms, and he catches me before I silence his laugh with a kiss. I pour my love onto him as I kiss him deeply.
“I love you so much,” I breathe against his lips.
“I love you so much, too.” I pull his lips back to mine until we both are breathless.
“As much as I want to continue this, I have one more surprise that’s waiting for us,” he says, finally breaking away.
He pulls me to my feet, and I intertwine my fingers with his. “What could you possibly have to surprise me with now? There’s not a single thing left on this earth that I want that you haven’t given me tonight.”
“You’ll see,” he smiles. He pulls me to the back and gives me a quick tour of the place.
The appliances gleam, and I grin as I picture all the baking I can do here. Ideas start flowing through my mind as we walk around and look at everything. It’s absolutely perfect and exactly what I would have picked for my bakery.
I see herbs placed on the windowsill and my face lights up with joy as I run over to the potted plants.
“I thought Benny and Micky could use some new friends. This is Lavender Lenny,” he laughs at the big grin on my face. “And this is Rosemary Rose, named after you,” he winks. “Last but not least is Timothy Thyme,” he points to the blue pot.
“I can’t believe you got me herbs.” I take a deep inhale of the lavender and smile.
“I hope I got the right ones for desserts. I had to google it,” he laughs.
“They’re perfect and just what I would have picked.” I reach up and bring his lips to mine. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’re welcome. I can’t wait to try all the desserts you make in here.”
“You will be the first to taste them.”
“Mmmm…I can’t wait.” He kisses me again before releasing me.
We go back out to the front, and I finally take in the wooden floors and brick walls. They give the space a nice, homey feel, and I can’t wait to decorate and set up cute tables with vases of fresh roses. I can almost picture the kids coming in wanting a cupcake or some other sweet treat they’ve begged their parents for, like I used to do.
He locks up behind us, and we walk down to the Blue Haven Cafe. Smiling, he opens the door, and everyone I love is standing there waiting for us. The cafe is shut down, and I notice Clara beaming at me as her catering team sets up food for everyone.
Congratulations start pouring in as Sophia, Eve, and Savi run over to hug me and see my ring. I get hugs from his brothers and his parents as they tell me how happy they are to have another daughter in the family.
Clara gives me a big hug, and I squeeze her back.
“I’m so happy for you, dear. I knew you would get your happy-ever-after.” She dabs her eyes before hurrying away to make sure the food is running smoothly.
Laura is next as she hugs us both. “Looks like I have a new neighbor?” She grins.
“I still can’t believe it,” I laugh, shaking my head.
“With that big kitchen, I’ll have to up my orders now that you’ll be creating even more recipes.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Thank you for setting this up tonight for us.” I smile and look around at the cafe I love.
“I get the night off, and someone is cooking for me. I should be thanking you,” she laughs and pats my hand before going over to Meaghan and grabbing a glass of champagne.
“Lyla, someone else is here to see you.” Jake reaches behind him and takes my mother’s hand, bringing her to me .
“Mom?” I wrap her in my arms and hold her tight. “What are you doing here?”
“I wasn’t about to miss my daughter’s engagement party. Besides, I’m leaving The Haven at the end of the month to move into my apartment, so Miss Dorothy and Jack snuck me out for the night.” She points to them as they talk to Clara about something.
I introduced them last month, and they hit it off just as I knew they would. He retired from the hospital and now helps out part-time at The Haven. Those two rarely leave each other’s side now that they work together.
“I’m so glad you are here.”
“When Jake visited me a few weeks ago and asked for my permission to marry you, I got Dorothy on board right away.”
“You asked my mom?” I ask, surprised.
“Of course. She’s your mom and my soon-to-be mother-in-law. I wanted her blessing and to tell her how much I love her daughter and thank her for bringing you into this world.”
“You’ve got a special one here, Lyla. He reminds me so much of your father,” she smiles at Jake. “I was happy to give my blessing, and I know if your father were here, he would have too.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I whisper, blinking back the tears and squeezing her tight before letting her go.
Meaghan comes over and pulls her away to introduce her to some of her friends. Over the summer, she asked me if she could call my mom when she was ready so they could get to know one another. They’ve been talking weekly for the past month, and I love that my mom has made a new friend.
Miles comes up with Ryder and Travis, their families, by their side. I give Max a big hug as he grins widely and tells me congratulations. We got to know each other this summer, and I just adore him to pieces .
I glimpse Ryland’s auburn curls as she runs around, and is the center of attention for Meaghan and her friends. She’s talking a lot more now, and her personality has us all laughing most days. She’s fiercely independent and has all the Montgomery brothers wrapped around her little finger.
Jake takes Mason from Ryder’s arms, and his chubby arms wrap around his neck as I lean over and kiss his cheek, causing him to giggle.
“And then there was one,” Savi grins at Miles.
“The best is always saved for last,” he winks at her, and she rolls her eyes.
Someone comes by with a tray of champagne, and we all take a glass. Travis hands Sophia water instead as he puts his arm around her waist, rubbing her barely there baby bump. They found out at the end of the summer that they were expecting. Her friend Bella is just a couple of weeks behind her, so the two of them are over the moon that they get to go through this together. They told me all about their plan over the fourth when Sophia’s friends came to visit for the weekend. Little did they know it would happen shortly after.
“I have a toast I want to make.” I raise my glass, and the chatter dies down as all eyes go on me. I’ve always hated public speaking and I start to regret my impulsive decision until I feel Jake’s arm come around my waist. His presence immediately calms me, and I silently thank him with a smile. He squeezes my hip, and I take a deep breath.
“Most of you know how Jake and I met. We literally ran into each other in the hallway while I was working, and I ended up wearing my desserts. I was mad at first because my whole tray was on the floor, and I assumed this stranger would just apologize and move on, not realizing how important this night was to me. But he proved me wrong.”
I smile at Jake, and he winks at me .
“He did the opposite of what I thought a guy would do. He wanted to give me his shirt because he ruined mine. He knew, without me even telling him, what I needed to make it through the night. He didn’t stop there…he became my best friend and someone I could depend on and trust.”
I see Meaghan wipe her eyes as she smiles at us.
“Love was the last thing I wanted or trusted to have in my life, but he never gave up on me, and just being around him and feeling the things he made me feel made me want what I thought I would never have. He showed me what it truly means to be loved by someone, and I fell deeply in love with him.”
I turn to him, and he kisses me briefly on the forehead.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for being here tonight and celebrating this special night with us. We love you all so much, and I can’t wait to become Lyla Montgomery,” I grin before his mouth comes crashing down on mine. Laughing at the whistles, we break away and raise our glasses.
“To friends, family, and love,” I say as everyone joins in to toast.