Chapter 76
True to his word, Nate booked a flight and showed up on McKenna’s doorstep the first chance he got, which happened to be the first weekend in August. “Couldn’t have the school year starting up without seeing you first.”
“You’re here.” She shook her head, her eyes filling with both pleasure and wonder as she stepped out onto the porch and touched his face as if needing to convince herself he was real.
“Of course. Didn’t I warn you I’d be coming for you?
” He kissed her palm, then dug into his messenger bag.
“And on that slightly stalkerish note, I have something for you. It’s the type of thing that will either endear me to you or convince you to put a restraining order against me for good. I guess we’ll see.”
Since he only had so much time with her, he was pulling out the big guns.
She bit her bottom lip, staring down at the notebook he handed her. “Isn’t this the notebook you had the first time we met?”
“Only now you’ll see the lines aren’t blank.
All that pondering paid off.” Before she could flip open the cover, he stopped her with a hand.
“Mind saving it for later? I’m only here for today.
I don’t want to miss a second with you. Plus there’s so much I need to tell you.
Starting with Mom’s emu. She named him Harry, of course. ”
The next time Nate arrived it was early October. They drove to a corn festival taking place a few towns over and held hands all afternoon as they caught up on everything going on in their lives, as well as the lives of everyone back in Bugle.
McKenna leaned into his shoulder. “I heard from Georgie that they’ve finally started remodeling the children’s library wing with all the donations from the concert.”
“They did,” Nate confirmed as he bought a bag of popcorn to share. “And Gus told me to be sure to pass along to you that their cheese budget is alive and thriving.”
McKenna laughed, making Nate’s quick trip worth it right there alone. “And Evie’s baby? Still doing well?”
“Yep. Mom said she’s a happy little chunk, and they already consider her a regular member of their committee.
Poor soul. Oh, that reminds me. Lottie told my mom to tell me to pass along to you that in case you were wondering, yes, the potholes in front of her house are still worse than the ones in front of the Piggly Wiggly. ”
“Oh,” McKenna said, clutching her chest. “You have no idea how much that had been keeping me up at night.”
“Figured you’d sleep better knowing the pothole status in Bugle.”
“Who wouldn’t? By the way . . .” McKenna leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“I’ve been waiting until I saw you again to tell you how much I love the notebook.
Nobody’s ever given me anything like that before.
I love it. I love . . .” She swallowed and nodded her head, obviously not quite ready to finish that sentence.
But that was okay. Because Nate loved her. And he’d wait as long as it took for her to be ready to accept that love. “So tell me about the photography studio. Have you officially accepted Mr. Sullivan’s offer to take over yet?”
She offered him a sweet smile. “Let’s just say that’s one of the things I’m still pondering.”