Chapter 15 #3
The way he smells like winter air and cedar, like hope and home.
When he pulls back just enough to look at me, his green eyes are bright and sparkly, filled with happiness.
I know without a doubt that whatever happens next, we’ll face it together. This accidental husband of mine, who’s become the most intentional thing in my life, is my future.
He rests his forehead against mine, both of us breathing raggedly, and he whispers against my lips, “I love you, Nina.”
I smooth my hand down his chest. “I love you, Lane.”
I am certain that the smile that spreads across my face could power the entire Ice Palace Arena, but the warmth radiating between us tells me there is nothing chilling about it.
Our mouths crash together again as we kiss under the winter sky and snowflakes drift slowly from above.
When we finally part, I tell him about my morning, starting with the coffee maker prank. He woke up to little snap cap firework novelties hidden under the bathmat that he stepped on and nearly caused him to have a heart attack.
We both laugh and then abruptly stop, remembering that we’re technically Mya and Kai’s guardians and that kind of behavior isn’t acceptable.
Then Lane says, “But Nina, we’re not our parents. We’re not our fears. We get to choose who we become, and I choose this. I choose us. All four of us.”
I step off the ice and into his arms, skates and all, and after he kisses me again, he says, “This is like the victory of a game and homecoming all at once.”
His hands are steady at my waist, holding me secure even though I’m wobbling slightly on my blades. Kissing him here, surrounded by the crisp air and the unique scent of ice, feels like we’re in our own private snow globe moment.
When he deepens the kiss, I completely forget about my injured ankle and fears and what I lost, and it’s replaced by how much I’ve gained.
I can feel him smiling against my lips—celebration and relief and something that feels like forever all wrapped up together. When we finally break apart, both of us are grinning like fools. Our breath creates little clouds between us in the cold air.
Gaze capturing mine, he asks, “Do you think you might want to do this skating thing more often?”
“I thought you were going to say kissing.”
He smirks. “That too.”
I laugh. “With you? I think I could get used to both.”
He shakes his head. “No, I think every time will feel like the first time.”
“I choose us, too,” I whisper against his lips. “I choose to rise to meet this occasion, whatever it brings.”
Holding me tight, he says, “Good. Because I have a feeling Mya and Kai are watching from a nearby hideaway.” He jerks his head slightly to the left. “And if we don’t get this right, they’re going to escalate their ‘Matchmaking efforts.’”
Sure enough, when I look over my shoulder, I can see two small faces peering at us from the bleachers, giving us enthusiastic thumbs up.
“We should probably send their teachers a weekly box of pastries.”
We both laugh and Mrs. Rice’s comment this morning echoes in my ears as I practically hear Papa and Bibi joining in with encouragement.
Two weeks later, I’m staring at an envelope from my landlord with the kind of dread usually reserved for root canals and tax audits. I’ve been so caught up in family life and relationship revelations that I completely forgot to worry about the lease situation.
Except when I open it, instead of an eviction notice, I find a new lease contract with Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan listed as the property owners.
My pulse accelerates. There must be an error. I can’t imagine Lane Senior and Sabrina bought the building. Then again, some of my early morning regulars have mentioned that investing in Cobbiton is wise, with the way the arena draws so many visitors.
I’ll have to contact the agency and bank on Monday.
As far as I know, Lane’s father hasn’t made any other comments about me being a money-grubbing gold digger, but he and I aren’t chummy yet. It probably didn’t help that I’ve become a Knights superfan and have been vocal about how the Mustangs stink.
That afternoon, while I finalize order totals for the Valentine’s Day special menu, my husband walks into the kitchen wearing a massive grin.
I lift onto my toes to kiss him. “What are you smiling about?”
“I was, um, just hoping the mail came. It’s the mid-semester report week for the kids.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Those are available in the parent portal online.”
Looking at me with an all too innocent gaze that I know well, given the kids’ shenanigans, he adds, “Oh, well, did any other mail arrive?”
I narrow my eyes and then wave the paper with the lease on it. “Maybe you can explain this. It shows that my lease agreement for the Busy Bee was paid. No funds due. Do you know anything about a Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan buying the building?”
“Maybe?”
“Maybe?” My jaw lowers. “Did your father get some hot tips on investing in town?”
Now Lane’s grin just looks mischievous. “Let me see the document.”
Hand on my hip, I hold it out for him. I don’t want Lane Sheridan Senior’s charity. This looks terrible and I’m sure he’ll hold it over my head. I mean, I’m grateful, but still.
Lane says, “Ah, yes. I see Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan listed as the new landlords.”
“I didn’t need help. Lane, you do realize your father is going to have a field day with this. I adore Sabrina, but your dad and I have some work to do in order to go from just barely civil to friendly. That said, I can’t rent from Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan.”
He rocks back on his heels, suppressing laughter. “My father received a strongly worded monologue about not meddling in my ‘affairs’ until he cleans up his own side of the street.”
“Affairs?” I frown.
“I mean my business. My relationship with you, a woman who is my world. Who isn’t after me for my status or money. Who is good and true and very, very beautiful.” He slides his hand down my arm and clasps his hand around mine.
Happiness fizzes inside and the butterflies queue up to take flight. I feel as warm as Bibi’s best dr?mmekage, aka dream cake, straight from the oven.
Continuing, Lane says, “As for the change of ownership for the Busy Bee Bakery building, actually, you’re renting from the other Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan.
“Who?” Then it dawns on me. “You?”
“Us. We bought your building. And before you get all independent on me, I have it on good authority that Bibi would have wanted us to. To keep you here, doing what you love in a place you consider home, along with all the deliciousness and joy you bring to this town.”
I stare at him, then at the lease agreement, then back at him. “You bought the building,” I repeat.
“We bought our building. For our family. For the life we’re building together.”
I fling my arms around him as joy doesn’t just rise, it explodes inside. “Lane Sheridan Junior, that’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me. Ever.”
“Good,” he says, pulling me closer. “Because I’m your husband and I love you.”
He spins me around and we both laugh.
Pausing, he says, “Also, since I don’t typically think of myself as a romantic guy, I have a question to ask you.”
Before I can wonder what Lane means, he drops to one knee in the middle of the bakery and pulls out a square velvet ring box. “Nina Bruun, I didn’t get to ask you this properly on New Year’s Eve, but will you be my wife?”
I gasp. “The ring is lovely and sparkly and this is such a shock and yes! Yes, I’ll be your wife!”
“I was going to plan a special dinner and tell you about the building, but then we wouldn’t have an audience and I figured we don’t have to do everything differently.”
Not sure what he means by audience, I tilt my head in question.
Then I spot two small faces pressed against the bakery window with excitement and hope.
Lane slips the ring onto my finger—right next to the one that appeared there on New Year’s Eve—and when he stands to kiss me, cheering comes from outside.
Not just the twins, but what sounds like half of Cobbiton.
“I gave Mya and Kai special permission to walk here after school if they promised not to take any detours. Looks like they rounded up a crowd.”
“Those kids are going to be trouble.”
“The best kind of trouble,” Lane agrees. “Looks like we get a happily ever after.”
My heart and smile grow in equal measure. “A family ever after.”