Chapter 23 #2
Kalista didn’t think about it. “Yes, I am.” Not just because of Tyler either, although he was a big reason.
But there was so much more. She didn’t see Viv simply as a stepmother anymore.
She was Mom now, through and through, and she loved being with her and Bo on the farm.
The piglets that had been born in June were growing like crazy, she had learned how to cook more meals, there were still more books to be read on the bookshelf, and who would give Pepé his treats on Monday and Thursday mornings?
“I’ll give you time to think about it,” he said, starting to get up.
She put her hand on his arm. “What about college?”
“You still want to go? You’re not going to need the money.”
His words made her think about Ryan, whom she hadn’t thought of hardly at all after they broke up. “I need a goal. A direction. I think college is where I’ll find it.”
Daddy took her hand. “Seems like you’ve already found it, kitten. How about we research some local colleges while I’m here? I’ll help you find the right one.”
“Thank you!”
They hugged and he left. She took another look in the mirror and squealed. “I’m staying in Clementine!” She picked up her bouquet and headed for the sanctuary . Mom is getting married!
* * *
Jade glanced at Sebastian and tried not to stare.
She’d done enough of that at Viv’s wedding a few hours ago when he and Bo had taken their places at the altar.
Kalista was lovely, and when Jade had glanced at Tyler, she saw him tug on the collar of his dress shirt.
She doubted it was because he rarely wore one.
Viv was stunning, Bo was nervous, and Sebastian was. .. hot. Real hot.
The reception had been fun—a small one in the church activity hall.
There had been some square dancing at Bo’s request, and Eugenia Pickles was both caller and DJ.
Jade didn’t know Bo could cut such a rug.
Thankfully, Ms. Eugenia had played a couple of ballads, and she had danced both of them with Sebastian. Absolute bliss.
Now they were at his cabin enjoying the last few minutes of a gorgeous sunset. He sat casually in the patio chair, his jacket off and no tie but still wearing his dress shirt. Sleeves rolled up, top two buttons unfastened—
“What?” he said, glancing at her.
“Huh?” She quickly looked away.
“You’re staring at me.”
Busted. She was about to make an excuse or apologize but changed her mind and faced him. “Can you blame me?”
His brow arched and he gave her a sly grin. “It’s the shirt, right?”
“It’s the whole package, Sebastian Hudson.”
He sat up and motioned to her. “Get over here.”
She scrambled out of her chair and into his lap. After a long, lingering kiss, she sighed and put her head on his shoulder as he rubbed her back.
“I like this dress,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Green suits you.”
“I am Jade, after all.” She liked the dress too. It was more feminine than she was used to wearing, with a flared skirt and tight, sleeveless bodice. It put her out of her comfort zone, but when she saw Sebastian’s reaction when he first saw it, she knew it was the right choice.
Evening mountain music was all around them, provided by nature, and by some miracle today was cooler than the entire summer had been, keeping the mosquitoes away. Heat would be on the menu tomorrow, but she would take the small reprieve and enjoy being out here with Sebastian.
“When are you leaving tomorrow?” he asked.
“Early. I want to spend as much time as I can with Mom before her surgery.”
“I can go with you,” he said. “Put Evelyn in charge of The Times .”
She lifted her head and looked at him. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine. The doctors are confident the transplant will be a success. Logan and Tameka will be there too.”
He met her gaze. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll only be gone a week.” Or longer, if there were complications, but she was trusting that there wouldn’t be. “You can survive without me.”
Sebastian shook his head. “I don’t know how I ever did.”
Oh, this man. She kissed him again, then reluctantly moved off his lap.
She had to head back to her apartment in Clementine and pack for her trip.
Once Mom was released from the hospital, she would come back.
To my home. It was amazing how quickly Clementine had become home.
She’d moved here at the end of June, and since then she and Rachel, along with Flora’s help, had worked on the shareholder plan while Sebastian continued to run the paper.
They’d gotten a surprise last week when Raymond Clark, Kalista’s father, had agreed to invest in the paper, with the caveat that it stayed the same. Sebastian assured him that it would.
There was one other surprise she’d learned only recently. Sebastian started working on his second novel again, and when she was at his surprisingly tidy bungalow, she’d seen the pages in his typewriter. When he revealed that he was bestselling-thriller author Jaden Caxon, she couldn’t believe it.
“Everyone in my office read your book,” she said. “Charlotte had a conniption for years when the follow-up didn’t come out.”
“I’m hoping to rectify that,” he said. “I’m inspired now.” He paused. “Did you read it?”
“I didn’t have time.” She walked over to his alphabetized bookshelf, saw the novel, and slipped it off the shelf. “I will now.” And she had, and it was amazing. She would do everything she could to encourage him to finish this one.
“Don’t leave,” Sebastian said. “Not yet.” He took her hand and led her inside. After sliding the patio door shut, he faced her but didn’t say anything. He just shifted on his feet, looking nervous.
“Sebastian?”
He blew out a breath. “The last time I told you this, it didn’t end well.”
Now she was concerned. “Told me what?”
His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing her chin. The look in his eyes was different but just as toe-curling. Not bedroom eyes... but ones filled with love.
“I love you, Jade.”
She could barely breathe as he kissed her with exquisite tenderness. She looped her arms over his neck, her heart bursting with joy. “I love you too.”
His smile reached into her soul, and she melted against him. She’d lost Sebastian Hudson twice. Now he was hers forever. I’m never letting him go.