Chapter 9
Nine
Carly
Walking hand-in-hand with William down Main Street, I’ve never felt happier. It feels almost too good to be true.
The small town of Mercury Ridge sure knows how to dress up for the holidays.
There’s a massive Christmas tree set up in the middle of the town square, lit with thousands of twinkle lights, and hundreds of shiny ornaments.
The light posts and street signs have all been twined with garland.
And every store front is adorned with a big, red bow or a Christmas wreath.
Street vendors have set up, selling local crafts, hand-painted Christmas ornaments, and yummy foods. And a band plays on a stage next to the big Christmas tree.
It’s like a scene from a Hallmark movie.
I could live here. I want to live here.
The fortune in my cookie had been right: Your answer waits in the mountains.
I thought William had been the answer, but it was more than that.
He’ll be the perfect husband, and goodness knows I couldn’t ask for a better man to father a child for me.
But I’ve fallen back in love with Mercury Ridge, too. The town is lovely, and so are the people. It’s the perfect place to raise a child.
Even William’s dogs are growing on me. I’ve never been a fan of dogs, but I’ve been forcing myself to spend at least an hour a day with them on the porch. I’ve even petted their tummies with my feet—but that’s as far as it goes, for now.
But I believe William when he says they’re harmless, and I know it’s probably good for kids to grow up with dogs.
If I’d had one—or any pet at all—maybe I wouldn’t be so afraid of them.
It’s ridiculous that I can run a multi-million dollar company but scramble up a tree at the sight of a couple of dogs.
William pulls me over to a hot chocolate station. Pouring me a mug, he waits patiently while I roll up a coat sleeve to free a hand. Since I hadn’t packed warm clothes, I had to borrow a wool peacoat from William. It fits well—except for the sleeves, which are several inches too long.
Yesterday, William brought home a gift for me: a knitted hat with matching gloves and scarf from a local knitter. They’re so warm and cozy. And the gift felt so…loving. William’s never said the words, not even when we were teens, but they hang in the air, unsaid.
I’ll bring up the marriage pact eventually. For now, it’s enough to be out in public with this wonderful man by my side. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
“Oh!” he exclaims, “there’s my brother, Theo. Let’s go say, ‘hello.’”
Theo was still a kid when William am I were last together. Now, he’s tall, strong, and kissing a very pregnant blonde on the cheek.
The woman has walked away before we approach. “Where’s Holly off to?” William asks after the brothers embrace.
“She’s manning the Sweet Mercury tent tonight.”
“Holly’s a baker,” William informs me.
“A very talented one,” Theo amends with pride in his voice.
“She sells her cupcakes in grocery stores and bakeries throughout the state. And she has plans to expand her business to include other dessert items. She just needs to get some of the business stuff figured out, like logos and marketing materials.”
“That’s what I do!” I say cheerfully. “I’m a graphic designer.”
“She owns one of the largest firms in the world,” William says, and this time it’s his voice that’s bursting with pride.
“I do,” I admit, “but I’d like to delegate more tasks to my staff and focus on grassroots campaigns again. I miss the design process.”
Theo smiles warmly. “I know Holly would appreciate your help. Let me introduce you…I’m sure we can hook you up with a free cupcake, too. Mind if I steal your lovely date for a minute?” Theo asks William.
“Not at all,” William says. “I’ll wait here. I know how crowded that cupcake tent gets.”
After introducing me to his beautiful wife, Theo excuses himself to return to William’s side. “We’ll be talking about you,” he tells us with a wink.
Holly and I roll our eyes, chatting easily together. The Jones clan seems to have no problem welcoming me into their fold. After a lifetime without a family, it’s…nice. Really nice.
When I leave the cupcake tent, I’m not holding a free cupcake. Nope. Holly’s given me a box of six of the most exquisite cupcakes I’ve ever seen, each one a masterpiece that looks too good to be eaten.
I return to William and Theo, excited to share the cupcakes. But I stop short when I see Theo pat William on the back.
“You’re going to propose? That’s great!” he exclaims.
William nods, and says, “She’s beautiful. She’s smart. She’s talented. I’d be lucky to have her.”
I nearly drop the cupcakes in shock. William is going to propose?!
I hadn’t pictured anything as romantic as a proposal. I thought one of us would just mention our pact, and that’d be that.
“What about kids? Are they on the agenda, too?”
“No kids,” William says firmly.
No kids…? The words sink in. William doesn’t want kids. An overwhelming sense of loss washes over me. I’d had my heart set on having at least one child.
Theo looks at his brother with his head tilted. “I always assumed you wanted kids, eventually.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m forty.”
Theo shrugs. “Forty isn’t so old.”
William laughs. “Tell that to my tired eyes. I have to carry reading glasses in my pocket now. I’m an old man, kid.”
“You really don’t want kids?”
“Not with Carly.”
Not. With. Carly. The words hit me square in the chest like a punch from a heavyweight boxer.
Theo says something else, but my heart is pounding hard enough now to drown out their conversation.
William might want kids…but not with me.