Chapter 28 #2
“Don’t apologize, Riley. Our lives have played out exactly how they needed to so we could find our way to this. To day. To being together.”
“I’ll never miss another moment of our lives together, Grant.”
By the time they made it back to the house, it was past noon. Thomas had disappeared to run errands in town, leaving a note on the kitchen table about picking up his suit from the dry cleaner and not to wait dinner on him.
"We should probably start getting ready," Grant said, checking the time. "Party starts at seven, but knowing your mom, she'll want us there early."
Riley laughed. "My mom has probably been there since noon, making sure the decorations are perfect."
"Probably."
They spent the afternoon preparing—Grant ironing a shirt while Riley took over the bathroom, doing her makeup in the mirror.
She'd run home earlier to grab clothes and found her mom had already packed her a bag with everything she might need: her favorite party dress, heels, jewelry, even the lipstick she always wore for special occasions.
"Your mom thinks of everything," Grant said from the doorway, watching her apply mascara.
"She's been planning my life since I was born," Riley said, meeting his eyes in the mirror. "This is mild for her."
"She's excited you're staying."
"I know." Riley set down the mascara and turned to face him. "Everyone is. It's a little overwhelming, actually."
Grant crossed the bathroom and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. "Too overwhelming?"
"No." Riley leaned into him, her hands covering his. "Just...different. Good different. I'm just not used to people being this invested in my life."
"Get used to it." Grant pressed a kiss to her temple. "You're stuck with all of us now."
Riley turned in his arms to look at him properly. He'd changed into dark jeans and a button-down that made his eyes look incredibly green, just like his trees. His hair was still slightly damp from the shower, curling a bit at the nape of his neck.
"You clean up nice, Lawson."
"So do you, Monroe." Grant's eyes traveled over her dress—deep green velvet that hugged her curves and fell just above her knees. "Really nice."
"Hands to yourself," Riley warned, even as she leaned in to kiss him. "I just did my makeup and we actually have to leave this house at some point."
"We could be late."
"We absolutely cannot be late. My mother will kill us both."
Grant groaned but stepped back, his hands sliding reluctantly from her waist. "Fine. But after the party—"
"After the party," Riley agreed, her voice promising, "we have all night."
“And I’m going to take my time peeling this dress off you,” he growled.
By the time they were ready to leave, Riley felt nervous in a way she hadn't expected.
"What's wrong?" Grant asked, noticing her fidgeting with her dress.
"It's the first time we're going to a town event as a real couple," Riley said. "Not fake. Not pretending. Just...us."
Grant took her hands. "Scared?"
"A little." Riley laughed. "Isn't that ridiculous? We've been doing this for weeks."
"But this time it's real." Grant's smile was understanding. "I get it. I'm nervous too."
"You are?"
"Yeah." Grant pressed a kiss to her forehead. "But we'll do it together. Like everything else."
"Together," Riley agreed.
The community center was packed when they arrived. String lights were draped along the walls, music played from speakers set up near the small stage, and what looked like half of Pine Valley had turned out for the celebration.
Riley spotted her family immediately—her mom waving enthusiastically, her dad grinning, Tyler and Lily already making their way over.
"There they are!" Carol pulled Riley into a hug. "How are you, sweetheart?"
"Good, Mom. Really good."
"I heard." Carol's eyes twinkled. "I'm so happy for you both."
David clapped Grant on the shoulder. "Good to see you two worked things out."
"We did," Grant said, his arm sliding around Riley's waist.
Tyler smirked. "Does this mean we have to stop teasing you about taking ten years to get back together?"
"Please stop," Riley groaned.
"Never," Lily said cheerfully. "This is too good. You two are like a Hallmark movie come to life."
Riley was about to respond when Hannah appeared, practically bouncing with excitement.
"You're here! And you're together! And you look happy!" Hannah pulled Riley into a crushing hug. "I told you the bonfire crash would work."
"It worked," Riley confirmed, laughing. "Thank you. For everything."
"That's what friends are for." Hannah linked arms with Riley. "Now come on. Emily and Jenna are saving us a spot near the refreshment table, and I need all the details about last night."
"Hannah—"
"All. The. Details."
Grant caught Riley's eye and grinned. "I'll get us drinks. You go debrief."
Riley let herself be pulled into the circle of her friends, and for the next twenty minutes, she fielded questions and shared carefully edited details while her friends alternated between teasing her and expressing genuine happiness.
"I'm really glad you're staying," Emily said, squeezing Riley's hand. "It wasn't the same without you here."
"I'm glad I'm staying too," Riley said, surprised by how much she meant it.
She was mid-conversation with Jenna when someone tapped her shoulder.
Riley turned to find Mrs. Patterson, who owned the bakery on Main Street, smiling at her.
"Riley! Your mother told me you're starting a marketing business."
"I am." Riley felt a flutter of nerves. "Just getting everything set up now."
"Well, I'd love to talk to you about working together." Mrs. Patterson's eyes were warm. "My bakery could use some help with social media and maybe a website refresh. I know I'm not some big city client, but—"
"Are you kidding?" Riley interrupted. "I'd love to work with you. Your bakery is an institution in Pine Valley."
Mrs. Patterson beamed. "Really?"
"Really. Can we set up a time next week to talk specifics?"
"That would be wonderful. How about Tuesday afternoon?"
"Tuesday's perfect."
They exchanged information, and as Mrs. Patterson walked away, Riley felt something settle in her chest. Her first real client. A local business owner who wanted to work with her. This was actually happening.
Grant reappeared with drinks, handing her a glass of champagne. "You look happy."
"Mrs. Patterson just hired me," Riley said, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice. "Well, wants to hire me. We're meeting Tuesday."
"That's amazing." Grant kissed her temple. "See? I told you people here need what you do."
"You did." Riley leaned into him. "Thank you. For believing in me."
"Always."
The crowd started to shift toward the stage, and Riley looked up to see Thomas making his way up the steps. He had a microphone in hand and was waving for everyone's attention.
"Is this the announcement?" Riley asked.
"I think so." Grant's hand tightened on hers.
The music cut off, and Thomas cleared his throat. "Evening, everyone. Thanks for coming out tonight."
A chorus of cheers went up from the crowd.
"I won't keep you long—I know you want to get back to celebrating." Thomas smiled. "But I wanted to share some news with you all. News I've been planning for a while now."
Riley felt Grant tense beside her.
"As most of you know, I've been running Lawson Family Christmas Tree Farm for over thirty years. It's been my life's work, and I've loved every minute of it." Thomas's voice was warm. "But it's time for me to step back a bit. Time to let the next generation take over."
The crowd murmured with interest.
"So effective January first—well, immediately—I'm transitioning full ownership and all operations of the farm to my son, Grant."
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Riley looked at Grant, whose face had gone pale with shock.
"Dad—" he started, but Thomas wasn't done.
"Grant's been ready for this for years. He's got a good head for business, a love for this land, and now he's found the right woman to build a life with.
" Thomas's eyes found Riley in the crowd, and he smiled.
"My son is settled. He's happy. And I can't think of a better time to officially hand over the reins of a staple in this community. "
More applause. Riley's eyes were stinging with tears.
"I'll still be around, of course," Thomas continued. "Can't stay away completely. But I'm planning to do some traveling in the off-season. See some places I've been putting off. Maybe finally take that trip to Ireland I've been talking about for twenty years."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
"So please join me in congratulating Grant and wishing him well as he takes over the farm." Thomas raised his glass. "To new beginnings."
"To new beginnings!" the crowd echoed.
Grant stood frozen for a moment, then pulled his dad into a tight hug. Riley watched them, tears streaming down her face, as father and son held each other and the entire town cheered around them.
When they finally broke apart, Thomas said something too quiet for Riley to hear. Grant nodded, his eyes bright, and then turned to pull Riley into his arms.
"Did you know about this?" Grant asked against her hair.
"Not a clue."
"The farm is ours." Grant's voice was full of wonder. "The house. Everything. It's ours."
"Yours," Riley corrected gently. "It's your family's farm, Grant. Your legacy."
"Ours," Grant said firmly, pulling back to look at her. "You're staying. You're building your life here. That makes it ours."
Riley's throat was too tight to speak, so she just nodded and let Grant hold her while their friends and family swarmed around them with congratulations.
Mark clapped Grant on the back. "Congratulations, man. You deserve this."
"Thanks." Grant's arm stayed firmly around Riley's waist. "It's a lot to take in."
"You'll do great," Ryan said. "You've basically been running it for years anyway."
"True." Grant looked down at Riley. "And now I have help. Riley's going to handle the marketing and online presence."
"Your first official client?" Hannah asked Riley.
"Second," Riley corrected, still glowing from earlier. "Mrs. Patterson officially hired me first."
"Look at you," Jenna said proudly. "Business owner. Farm wifey. Pine Valley resident. You're fully settled."
Riley looked up at Grant, at his warm eyes and soft smile, and felt her heart swell.
"Yeah," she said. "I really am."
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of celebration.
Riley talked business with Mrs. Patterson's daughter, who also wanted help with her boutique.
She danced with her dad, laughed with her siblings, and caught up with people she'd known since childhood who were genuinely excited she was staying.
The clock on the wall showed 11:58 when someone announced it was almost time. The crowd started gathering near the stage, everyone pulling out phones, finding their partners, the energy in the room building.
Grant pulled Riley close, his arms wrapped around her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder.
"Ten!" the crowd chanted as the clock struck midnight. "Nine! Eight!"
"This is really happening," Riley said softly.
"Seven! Six! Five!"
"It is," Grant murmured against her ear. "You and me. The farm. Our life."
"Four! Three! Two!"
Riley turned in his arms to face him.
"One! Happy New Year!"
Grant kissed her as fireworks exploded overhead and the crowd cheered around them. Riley kissed him back, pouring everything into it—all her love, all her hope, all her certainty that this was exactly where she was supposed to be.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Grant rested his forehead against hers.
"Happy New Year, Riley."
"Happy New Year." Riley's smile was bright. "To new beginnings."
"To us."
"To home."
Grant kissed her again, softer this time, and Riley let herself sink into it. Into him. Into the life they were building together.
Around them, Pine Valley celebrated—music and laughter filling the community center. But Riley only had eyes for Grant. For the man who'd offered to fake date her and ended up giving her everything she'd ever wanted.
A home. A purpose. A future.
Love.
"Ready to go home?" Grant asked after a while, his voice warm.
"Yeah." Riley took his hand. "Let's go home."
They said their goodbyes—hugs from her parents, congratulations from friends, promises to get together soon. And then they walked back to Grant's truck hand in hand, the sounds of the party fading behind them.
The drive back to the farm was quiet, comfortable. Grant's hand stayed in hers the whole way, his thumb tracing circles on her palm.
When they pulled into the driveway, Riley looked at the farmhouse—at the warm glow of the porch light, at the fields stretching out beyond, at the barn where this had all started—and felt something click into place.
This was home now.
Not the apartment in the city. Not her childhood bedroom at her parents' house.
Here. With Grant. On this land. In this life.
"What are you thinking?" Grant asked, coming around to open her door.
"That I love you," Riley said simply. "And that I can't wait to build our life here."
Grant pulled her close, kissing her under the stars. "Me too. All of it."
They walked inside together, and Riley knew—knew with absolute certainty—that this was just the beginning.
The best was yet to come.