Epilogue
Clara
Seven Months Later
After Gina returned to Boston, she sent me a draft of an online store with the products she'd photographed when she was in town.
I absolutely loved the idea of reaching more people, and the design was simple yet attractive.
Since Gina wouldn't be visiting again anytime soon, I hired Wynter, a local photographer, to photograph more items for the shop.
It was a challenge I didn't realize I needed. The shop now doubled as a website, which I didn't have before. I could see how it would help draw more customers.
I had felt stuck for a long time, but now I was excited to see how the website and online store would expand my business. I was adding something of value to the store that had nothing to do with Gran. In fact, I was fairly sure she would hate the idea of an online shop.
But the store was mine now, and I was free to create whatever I wanted. It gave me freedom I hadn't allowed myself before. I'd kept everything the same for so long, running things how Gran would have preferred. But now it was time for me to figure out who I was and what I wanted.
Beck was directly involved in the renovation of the brewery. He enjoyed the process. He might need to travel from time to time, but he'd vowed that this was his home now.
He was renting the cabin, and I was still clearing out the rancher of Gran's things.
We spent a lot of time at each other's place, but I wasn't ready to move in with him yet.
I was getting to know myself better as I cleared out Gran's house and made way for what I liked.
It was a process I needed to go through.
Today was Christmas in July in Christmas Town, and there was excitement in the air.
I no longer felt the pressure of making these events work in the offseason because I had an online store that I could advertise to people anywhere in the world.
It was exciting, and I hoped that my income would grow to the point that I could have more employees and maybe even a manager running the place so that I had more time to take breaks and go on vacations.
I wanted to run a business but also be free to come and go as I pleased. That could be difficult if not impossible with a brick-and-mortar store. But Beck and Gina had opened my mind to the possibilities.
I set up a table in front of the store, in full view of town square and the Christmas tree, while I greeted visitors and answered their questions. Today I was handing out cards with a QR code for my online store and showcasing this year's holiday ornament.
A local artist had hand painted a rendering of the town on the ornament with the year.
It was absolutely gorgeous, and it was selling well.
The festival had been going all day, and the sun had already dipped low.
The holiday lights were twinkling, and the music played softly from the outdoor speakers.
Visitors were sipping hot chocolate and cider as they shopped.
Beck moved behind the table. "Can you get away for a bit? I booked us a carriage ride."
"You did?" I'd always wanted to go on one but hadn't mentioned it to anyone.
He smiled down at me. "I thought it would be a nice night for it."
"I've got this. You two have fun," Sharon said to us.
Beck put his arm around me, and we walked toward the carriage, which was waiting by the curb. He helped me inside, and we tucked the blanket over our laps.
"Hattie gave us a thermos of hot chocolate and marshmallows." He poured it into to-go cups. "And I snagged a few gingerbread cookies from Reina."
I settled back in the seat. "It's the perfect night then."
"I thought you'd like something sweet."
I knew he was talking about the drinks and cookies, but I thought he was my something sweet.
When I'd first met him, he was all hard edges with rules about relationships.
But I'd reached his soft center. It wasn't that he was incapable of love; he just wasn't sure how to show it without fear of getting hurt.
But over the last few months, he'd really leaned into expressing his feelings, at least when it came to me. He was still gruff with other people, and that's exactly how I liked him. Gruff with a sweet center.
The carriage began to move, and the steady clip-clop of the horses' hooves beat a steady rhythm in my chest. I settled against Beck's side, his arm around my shoulders. I was cozy and warm, sipping the warm drink.
The crowd cleared for us as the carriage made its way slowly down Candy Cane Lane. Most of the tables were still set up outside their respective shops, and a few people waved as we went. I was content to be here with Beck.
"This was a good idea." I snuggled with him.
"I thought you could use a break. It's been a long day."
"You made me take breaks throughout the day, so it wasn't too bad." He'd stopped by at various times of the day with coffee and food. Each time, he urged me to take a walk with him or to eat by the tree so we could admire the lights.
He smiled. "You work so hard."
"You don't miss the traveling that you used to do?
" He'd only gone out of town a few times since he'd started working with Rowan on the renovation.
Each time had been short, and he'd said he couldn't wait to get back to me.
I looked forward to a time when I could travel with him and see new cities and towns.
"My favorite thing in the world is coming home to you." He kissed me softly.
The carriage lurched, and when I looked up, we were off the main road, following a path into the woods that was now lined with twinkling lights. It was magical, and we were finally alone, with the exception of the driver. "You're happy staying in one place?"
"I want to be wherever you are."
That was a great answer, and I believed him because he hated traveling now.
It had been nice coming home to him every night, either at his place or mine.
It didn't matter. And my brothers had come around once they got over the shock.
They couldn't believe that we'd done it behind everyone's back. "Everything feels right."
"You don't feel stuck anymore?"
"Not at all. I'm excited about the online shop. It's been the challenge I didn't know I needed. And I'm enjoying making over Gran's house." I was planning on renovating it because it was a good investment whether I lived in it or ended up selling it.
He kissed my temple. "I have something for you."
I moved so I could see his face.
His pensive expression was illuminated by the twinkling lights hanging from the tree branches.
The carriage came to a stop. There was a lake ahead, shimmering under the moonlight. I'd never been here before. But the trails around the town led here, and then around it. I'd only heard about it when customers mentioned it.
He shifted. "Are you up for a walk?"
"I'd love to see the lake, " I said as he helped me out of the carriage.
"I'll be back," the driver said, and he turned the carriage and headed back the way we came.
"You planned this?" I asked Beck, and he put his arm over my shoulders.
"I hope it's okay."
"The lake is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for bringing me here." The trail around the lake was illuminated with solar-powered lights.
We'd walked a short way when we reached a bench. He motioned for me to sit. But he didn't join me. Instead, he remained standing. "I wanted to ask you something."
I wasn't in any rush to move in with him or to take any more steps in our relationship. I was conscious that this was new to him. So I wasn't sure what he wanted to ask. Did he want to officially move in together?
"I've heard that it's customary to be on one knee for this."
My mouth dropped open when he sank to one knee and took my hand in his.
"Clara, you opened my eyes to a new world.
One where love and light were possible. I never thought I was built for something like this, but it turns out I was, even if it's only with you.
I want to be by your side, supporting you in everything you choose to do. I want to build a life with you."
My mouth was suddenly dry. "What are you saying?"
He took a deep breath, his hand squeezing mine. "Will you marry me?"
The words felt like a shock to my system because I hadn't expected this at all, at least not anytime soon. I figured he might be the sort of man who didn't want or need a piece of paper to declare his commitment. "I would love to."
He pulled a ring box out of his pocket and opened it. The diamond shone in the lights.
The setting was so familiar. "Is that Gran's ring?"
"When I asked your father for his blessing to marry you—"
My brain tripped on that because I wouldn't have thought Beck was the kind of man who would do something so traditional.
"He said your grandmother would want you to have her ring."
I knew Mom had gotten some of her personal effects, but I figured she'd want to keep the ring, not pass it on to me.
"I had it cleaned and sized for you."
I couldn't speak over the tightness in my throat.
"If you want something new, we can get something else," he rushed to add as he slipped it on my finger.
"No. This is perfect." I blinked against the sting of the tears. Then I pulled him toward me so I could kiss him. Then I broke away so I could look at the ring.
He sat next to me, taking the hand with the ring on my finger.
"I didn't think you'd want to get married."
"I never thought I'd want all of those things either, but it turns out I was shoving those desires down deep. Maybe I was waiting until I met you. Once I opened up to the possibility of us, I wanted everything.
I touched his face. "I love you so much."
He let out a breath. "I love you too."
We kissed under the twinkling lights with the sound of the water moving around us. It was the perfect proposal, and the best way to start our lives together. We didn't need to discuss the details. Not yet. We had the rest of our lives to do that.
I hope you loved Clara and Beck’s romance! Read more about their happily ever after in their bonus epilogue.