Chapter Thirty-Three
Hannah
Four months later
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked Chase. “We have plenty of hands on deck.”
"Hannah, I want to do this."
It was the yearly repotting day. Mom, Blair, and Josh were here. Ms. Adams was grateful for all the help. She'd prepped everything in the greenhouse already. Jeremy, Duncan, and Susan were coming too.
I still couldn't believe Chase was so excited about it.
“Want to go in and check everything before we start?” Chase asked.
Mom and Blair were in the inn’s kitchen, enjoying a cup of coffee. Duncan, Jeremy, and Susan hadn’t arrived yet.
"Sure."
Ms. Adams had assured us that she'd seen to everything, but I was suspecting that Chase wanted some alone time with me. He was very creative about that lately. We were as professional as possible at the office, but once we left the building, all bets were off.
We spent a lot of time at the inn, especially because construction was underway. Chase hadn't managed to convince me to accept his investment for the inn yet, but I hadn't discarded the possibility of us going into business together in the future.
I’d saved the necessary amount to cover my insurance deductible, so the construction company would start work soon.
Of course, this would only repair the damage from the storm. The rest of the restorations would have to wait a bit, but I was confident that I could reopen for business next year.
I took Chase’s hand, leading him from the inn’s porch to Ms. Adams's greenhouse. I smiled from ear to ear when we stepped inside.
"This is the scent of joy," I said, closing my eyes and inhaling deeply. It smelled like earth and greens. I didn't know why this space made me feel so blissful. Maybe because it was full of happy memories, and we were going to create even more.
I opened my eyes, looking at Chase. He was pinning me with his gaze.
"What?" I asked.
"I like seeing you this happy."
I grinned. "I see. So that's why you make me happy every day?"
"Yes. It’s my job and my honor."
I knew what he meant because I felt the exact same way about him. He was happy and thoroughly relaxed, especially since they ousted Cyrus. The feds were dealing with him, so he wasn't going to be an issue for the Sterlings anymore.
I was shocked at the lies some people were willing to come up with to harm others. Cyrus deserved whatever came his way.
“Right, so I think it’s best if I walk you through it,” I said.
He hadn’t been in the greenhouse before. It was huge—big enough that she’d once toyed with the idea of renting it out for events. Ms. Adams had all sorts of plants, from eggplants, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables to aloe vera and orchids.
“These two tables are the workstations.” I pointed to the one on the left, where she’d put three aloe vera plants that had seen better days. There were also three empty pots and bags of dirt on one side. The second table had a similar setup, with two aloe vera plants and a lonesome orchid that had dried up.
"Oh, look at that poor orchid. That's sad. I can't wait to repot it," I said.
Chase flashed me a smile that was slightly triumphant. That was interesting... and weird.
"Want to start now?" he asked.
I would never have thought he'd be so into repotting, but I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I was happy we liked to do many of the same things.
"Sure, I'll do it." I put on gloves and carefully pulled out the orchid while Chase held the pot. "I hope it’s salvageable. This came out far too easily.” So easily that it made me think someone had already dislodged it.
I put it on the table and then glanced into the pot. There was something else besides dirt inside.
"There's a box!" I gasped. It was a small velvet jewelry box. I nearly dropped the orchid but caught it in time and set it carefully on the table.
My heart went pitter-patter as Chase brushed away the dirt from the dark blue box, lowering himself onto one knee. The floor was filthy from the dirt that had come off the potted plant, but he didn't seem to care. He opened the lid, and I was lost for words.
I was looking at Mom’s ring. I'd always loved that dark green stone and the little white ones around it.
"I've searched for the perfect ring for a while in stores. Then I remembered you love your mother’s engagement ring.”
"You remembered everything I told you?”
“I wouldn’t forget something like this. You told me this valuable info in Palm Springs.”
“Your memory is eidetic. You even remember things I said at the wedding."
"No, I only remember the essential parts from the wedding. I remembered all the fighting, the dancing, the kissing. Anyway, I asked your mother for the ring because I knew it would make you the happiest."
"It does," I assured him, fighting tears. How could this man know me so well? Sometimes I thought he might know me even better than I knew myself.
"So, with this ring, I want to ask you to be my wife. Will you give me the honor of loving you forever? Of calling you mine for the rest of our lives? You’re my everything, Hannah. You came into my life when I least expected it, and you've shown me what it means to trust someone else with your happiness and how amazing it can be. Thank you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes, of course I will."
I shuddered when he put on the ring. He squeezed my fingers as he rose to his feet and kissed me deeply, shoving me against the table and deepening the kiss, intertwining our tongues.
Pulling back, Chase said, "There's something else in the pot."
I looked inside and frowned.
"It's a key," I said, confused.
"Yeah."
"To the greenhouse?"
"To Ms. Adams's house."
I glanced up at him, my heart beating even faster than before.
"I spoke to Ms. Adams. I found out from someone"—he smiled—"that she wanted to sell her house. I told her we're interested, that we want to raise a family here.” He feathered his lips against mine. "I'd like nothing more than to fulfill your dream, Hannah."
Oh my God. This was beyond anything I'd ever imagined. I felt his love like a physical hug.
"Chase, this is amazing. But what is she going to do?" I asked.
"She found a condo in the city.”
The sound of a door opening followed by Jeremy's whisper interrupted us. "It's already happened. I think they're kissing."
Chase pulled back a bit. I smiled against his mouth.
"She's going to be my aunt," Jeremy continued. I'd grown even closer to him since Christmas, when I found the Mario Kart game he'd been wanting all along.
“He knew?” I asked Chase.
“Everyone knew. I couldn’t make it happen otherwise.”
My jaw dropped. “Right. You needed Mom and Blair here.”
“I needed the ring. And to ask for your hand."
Jeremy and Susan approached us then. Jeremy raced to me, putting his arms around my waist.
"You're his favorite person for sure," Chase said. "He’s easily bought with video games."
"Hey, that's not why I like Hannah. She's nice and smells like flowers. Can you please find a lady for Dad who is just like you?" Jeremy asked.
My eyes bulged. Chase chuckled but then seemed to choke on his own laughter.
Susan came up to us and shook her head, smiling. "You know, this is the second time he's mentioned that. I think he really means it."
"Mentioned what?" Duncan said, coming in along with Blair, Josh, and Mom.
I ran straight to my sister and my mom, eyeing them both.
"You said what ?" I heard Duncan ask Jeremy.
Oh boy, Duncan’s got his hands full.
Blair and Mom looked so happy, and I couldn’t stop from giving them both huge hugs. "Thank you for giving him the ring, Mom."
"Of course, honey. I hope it brings you as much joy as it brought me and your dad."
I turned to Blair. "Thank you for conspiring and everything."
My sister had tears in her eyes. "I’m so happy for you. Can you believe it?"
"Honestly, I can't," I said.
Josh kissed my cheek. "Congratulations," he murmured, and then he went to Chase, shaking his hand.
The door opened again, and Ms. Adams came in. She walked to me with open arms.
"My darling girl, congratulations are in order. Please tell me you didn't turn down this stud."
Everyone burst out laughing. I glanced over my shoulder. Chase looked stunned. Ah, he'd never get used to her calling him a stud.
I grinned, holding up my hand for her to see. “Of course I said yes."
"You know, when he told me he was interested in the house, I almost wanted to tell you that he'd propose just so you didn't get any ideas about telling him no. That is a man who loves you, darling."
"I know," I whispered.
I took her arm, and we walked slowly toward the group. Chase and Duncan were talking in low voices, and everyone else was already at the workstation.
"All right," Susan said. "What are the instructions?"
Ms. Adams spoke quickly, explaining all the steps.
I'd done this so many times, it was like second nature to me, so I went straight to Chase, lacing my arms around his middle and kissing the crook of his neck.
"You don't actually have to stay for the repotting, you know,” I told him.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily, fiancée."
I grinned at him. "Well then, let's see how good you are at getting your hands dirty."
He wiggled his eyebrows, curling his mouth in a smile.
Oh yeah, I'd walked right into that.
Every time I thought he couldn't surprise me more, he proved me wrong. Judging by the sexy glint in his eyes, he had delicious plans for us later today, and I couldn't wait.
As we all got to work, I glanced around. I felt so lucky to be surrounded by so much love: Mom and Blair and Chase’s family, who were now very dear to my heart. I was utterly and completely happy.