Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
KINDRED
Alaugh bubbles free when Cash spins me around and pulls me back to dip me backwards.
“You’re full of surprises.” When he asked me to dance, I didn’t expect this, but clearly my man is a quick study.
More than that, I know he wants to make me happy.
I want to give him the same too. We deserve this type of happiness.
We’ve both waited so long to be together.
I mean, it’s totally his fault for being so stubborn, but that’s beside the point.
“My girl wants to dance. I'll dance because I’m not letting anyone else spin you around this dance floor.” He pulls me closer as the song changes over to another slow one, but this one is more romantic.
I probably shouldn't enjoy his possessiveness, but I do. I know it’s only because we have a trust that goes both ways.
“It all came together,” I say, seeing everyone around the room. I think most of the town is here, and if not, they are traveling to see family. This was a very last-second wedding.
“If I have learned anything about New Hope, it’s that if it’s possible, they will find a way to make it happen.” This is true. Our little tight-knit community shows up for one another. Whether it’s in happy, sad, criminal, or any other situations, there is always someone to lend a hand.
“I love that you’ve fallen in love with this town too.” I always knew I would spend my life here.
It was never a question in my mind. I wanted that small-town life with kids and fundraisers and chasing the dog down the driveway because the cat scared him. It may be cliché, but I saw it all around me growing up here.
My grandmother raised my brother and me after our parents' passing. When she was younger, she’d grown up in New Hope but had moved away. Then she got custody of my brother and me, and she moved us back here. I was too young to remember those things. New Hope and my grandmother were all I ever knew.
I would see all the families around town and want that for myself. I think I wanted it so badly I'd started to wiggle my way into everyone's lives, wanting to make the whole town a family, my family. That’s exactly how I see each and every one of them.
“It’s you that made me fall in love with it. I know you’d never agree with me, but this town is partly the way it is because of you.” Tears sting at my eyes because that’s so freaking sweet. To me, it’s one of the highest compliments anyone could give me. I love this man more than anything.
“And I know you’d never ask, but you’re the only person I’d leave this town for.” If I had to choose. That’s how I know how deeply I love Cash.
“We’re not going anywhere. This is where we’ll build the family we have always wanted to have. Together.”
“Ethan too.” I nod over at my brother, who is drinking a beer and talking to a random girl. I have no clue where he found her, but this isn’t shocking.
“He’s not house-trained.”
I snort a laugh. “Since I'm rich, or well, I will be after I get that ring, I’ll let him have the house.” We’ve shared it since our grandma passed a few years ago.
I don’t want to sell it. Not yet. I want Ethan to always have a place to come home to.
"And since you kept this whole rich thing from me and I can't trust you, there will be no prenup. "
Cash throws his head back and laughs. It's deep and rich (like him) and vibrates through me. I could live off of making him laugh.
“I’ll give you every penny right now as long as I get you.”
“Cash, are you calling me a hooker?”
“You’re not a hooker.” He shakes his head at me. I used to think that was him being annoyed with me, but now I know it’s amusement.
“Hey, I could be a hooker.” I give his chest a playful smack. “I can rock heels,” I remind him.
“You’d definitely be more of the high-priced call girl.”
“Ahh!” I laugh, always feeling like I’ve won when I get him to play along with my antics. “Why thank you. I think.”
“When we get back home, I can treat you like one if you wish.”
"Cash." His name emerges in a breathy whisper. I kind of hope that I never get used to that filthy mouth of his. "When do you think we can leave?"
"You're the wedding expert. You tell me."
The cake has been cut, and all the dances are done. All that's left is to party, and that already seems to be in full swing.
"Let me talk to Candy." I don't know if they're going to do the whole garter removal. I don't see Hollis being down with that, and Candy is so shy when it comes to those things. Cash's mouth would make her faint.
His fingers slide between mine as we head toward their table. Candy is perched in Hollis's lap. I think he might be ready to head out too.
"You're leaving," Candy says when I get to her table.
"I was thinking about heading out."
"That's okay; it's Christmas Eve. Everyone should go when they are ready."
"I'll let Tinsley know." She'll spread the word, but most already know that's the case. "I didn't know if there were any other things you wanted to do before I go."
"No."
"All right." I squeeze Cash's hand so he'll release his hold so that I can give Candy a goodbye hug. Both she and Hollis stand, and I hug them both.
"Still can't believe how this all turned out," Hollis says.
"And to think, I was engaged to you not long ago," I tease.
"Not funny," Cash growls from behind me.
"It was fake." I elbow him. I might have said it to get him worked up. Candy laughs.
"Ope, this." Candy grabs her bouquet from off the table to hand to me.
"What?"
"I'm not throwing it because I know who is next."
"There is no ring on this finger." I hold up my hand and wiggle my fingers.
"Take it, Cupcake," Cash says next to my ear.
"If you insist."
"We all do."
"Yes."
"About time."
A series of comments flood out from everyone who is in earshot.
"Thank you," I tell Candy, taking it from her and holding it up in the air. "I love you guys," I shout as loudly as I can to everyone, and the town cheers and shouts they love me back.
Happy tears sting at my eyes.
"Let's get out of here." Cash lifts me into his arms, making them all cheer again as he carries me out. Candy was the loudest of them all.
As we make our drive home, it dawns on me that this will be our life. Cash and I are coming and going home together. For so long, I didn’t think we would ever get to this point. Now it’s my new normal.
When we get home, Cash opens the door for me and leads me toward the house. I haven't been here since early this morning. There had been Christmas decorations, but more have definitely been added.
"How did you do this?" I ask, loving it all. The house could be in a Hallmark Christmas movie. There are lights wrapped around the porch railing, wreaths hanging on the doors and windows, and the soft glow of window candles.
The curtains have been pulled back, and you can see into the living room, where a giant tree is lit up. It had been bare when I'd seen it last, and now it’s picture-perfect.
"This town, and pure determination." He scoops me into his arms again, carrying me into the house.
“That’s for after we’re married.”
“I can do it then too. I enjoy carrying you.” He takes me right over to the Christmas tree for me to see. There is a giant pile of presents that hadn’t been there this morning, but I could have missed it.
A lot went on last night, and I was more shocked with all my stuff being here; I could have missed everything else.
Cash had fully moved me in yesterday. He’s a sneaky bastard, and I love it.
It's rare to get anything done in this town and for me to not know about it. I’ll give everyone a one-time pass for their secret-keeping, but that’s it.
“Thank you.” I can hear the emotion in my own voice. Everything is perfect. All of my dreams are finally coming true, and I know it’s due to the man holding me.
“I should be thanking you, Kindred. You’re the reason for all of this. The love, the joy, and the happiness. You bring them out in everyone. In me.” I feel a tear slip down my face. Cash puts me on my feet next to the tree. His finger comes to my face to wipe the tear away.
“A girl could get used to all of these compliments.”
A smile forms on his handsome face. “This next part is going to be hard for me.” He drops to a knee in front of me. Reaching under the cushions, he pulls out a red box.
“Hold on here.” He doesn’t hold on. He plucks the ring out of the box. “Why is this part hard?” He’s about to get it and not in a good way.
“Because I know you enjoy traditions, and I don’t want to ask you to marry me.” A small laugh leaves me as I start to get it.
“We can make our own traditions.”
“Hold out your hand, Cupcake.” I stare down at him. “Now,” he orders, and I do as I’m told. Cash slips the ring onto my finger.
“Holy shit,” I whisper when I see the ring. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I freaking love it. It’s unique, having two giant diamonds. One is emerald-cut, and the other is pear-shaped, nestled up against each other. It’s unlike anything I have seen before.
“I figured since I’m loaded and all, you’d want two diamonds.”
“Cash.” I want to both laugh and cry. I’m a freaking mess.
“It caught my eye when I saw it. It was different and stood out among the rest. It reminded me of you.”
“Oh my God, of course I’ll marry you.” I fling myself at him. He wraps his arms around me and turns, pinning me to the floor beneath him.
“I wasn’t asking.”
“Right.” Of course not. I love his bossy orders.
“You’re everything to me, Kindred. All the things I thought I could never have in one sweet package.”
“So I’m like the best Christmas present ever.”
“The best,” he chuckles.
“Just put me right under the tree.”
“Nope, I’m opening this gift early.” He tugs at the top of my dress, making the straps snap.
“It’s gonna cost you,” I tease him.
“How much we talking?”
“It’s a pretty hefty price tag. I don’t know if you can afford it.”
“Try me.”
“Forever.”
I know my man has that more than covered.