Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
ASHLEY
Carter and I spend the day after our fight in my bed while the snowstorm creates havoc for the rest of the area.
It must have stopped some time overnight because when I roll over and look out the window, it’s clear out. Mistletoe Falls is used to snowstorms, so the roads will be cleared by lunch, and everyone will go about their business as though the blizzard never happened.
Today would have been my sister’s wedding. I mentally note to call her and see how she’s doing, though I suspect better than most since yesterday evening she sent me links to tropical resorts, asking me which one would be better for her wedding.
I roll over to Carter’s side of the bed to see if he’s awake, but it’s empty.
I sit up, holding the sheet to my naked chest and looking around the room, listening for the shower.
This is the first morning he hasn’t been in bed when I’ve woken.
My hand falls to his pillow and lands on a piece of paper.
Ash,
Have a few things to do. Probably won’t be home until late afternoon. See you then.
- C
What does this cryptic message mean? What does he have to do?
Carter is supposed to leave the day after tomorrow to fly to Oregon and spend the holidays with his family.
I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could since I don’t have any guests arriving until after New Year’s.
I’m all caught up in my feelings until I wonder why he’s going to be gone majority of the day.
What could he possibly be doing?
I slump back in bed. What am I going to do with my day now?
Then it dawns on me that for the first time in years, I won’t be spending my holidays catering to guests and making sure they’re taken care of.
Sure, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will probably feel a little lonely, but I’ll be sure to FaceTime my sister and my parents, and Carter.
Excited about the possibilities, I bound out of bed for the shower. Once I’ve showered and dressed, I head to the basement to get a box of Christmas crafts I bought years ago, intending to make them but never having the time.
Rather than picking through the box in the unfinished basement, I bring the box upstairs into the great room. I set up another one of my favorite Christmas movies, Four Christmases, and go to the kitchen to make hot chocolate.
By late afternoon, I’ve turned the movies off and have Christmas carols ringing through my speakers. I’m singing along as I try my best to get the hang of the embroidery, attempting an ornament.
I’m feeling light as air, singing at the top of my lungs.
I spoke with my sister earlier and she seems to be more interested in moving forward with new wedding plans than dwelling on the failed one.
I have some unexpected time on my hands to do what I want, and I’ve unexpectedly fallen head over heels for a new man.
When the song comes to an end, clapping rings out, and I look to my right. Carter’s leaning against the doorframe, smiling wide.
“I didn’t hear you come in.”
My stomach flutters like a thousand little snowflakes falling to the ground because Carter looks good.
He’s wearing a pair of jeans that fit him perfectly and a blue sweater that makes his eyes pop.
But more than that, it’s the way he’s looking at me, as if maybe he feels the same way about me as I do for him.
“I know.” He pushes off the doorframe and steps into the room. “I wasn’t about to interrupt such a wonderful performance.”
I roll my eyes.
“Are you hungry? I come bearing gifts,” he says, and I tilt my head. “Wait here. I took it into the kitchen so I could grab some cutlery.”
When he leaves, I turn the music down to a conversational level and tidy up all the embroidery floss and needle. He returns holding a large paper bag in one hand, cutlery in the other.
“What’s this?”
“I called your favorite restaurant in town on my way back.” He sets the bag and the cutlery on the coffee table.
“You know my favorite restaurant?”
He shrugs. “You told me about it on our date in New York, and I committed the name to memory. Remember you were comparing the burrata there to the one you order from the place here?”
I didn’t remember, but now I do. I can’t believe he remembers that, especially after the way that night ended. “That’s so sweet of you, Carter, thanks.”
“I didn’t want you to have to cook tonight.” Before I can ask why, he’s taking everything out of the bags. “I also got some Caesar salad as an appetizer and a few pasta dishes since I wasn’t sure which one you liked. The owner said you order a few off the menu when you’re there.”
My chest warms, and my smile grows. “You talked to Andy? I’m speechless. Thank you.”
“You being speechless tells me that all the other men you’ve had in your life haven’t treated you right. I’m going to show you what you’re worth.” He sits on the couch beside me, and with his thumb and forefinger on my chin, he pulls me in for a kiss.
I sink into his touch, feeling with my whole body how much I missed him today.
When he finally pulls away before things get too out of hand, he says, “Let’s eat.”
We decide to both have a little of everything, and by the time we’re done eating, I can’t imagine eating another bite.
“That was delicious.”
Carter hums his agreement. “I can see why you love this place.” He gets up from the couch, and I go to do the same, but he gently sets his hand on my shoulder. “You relax. I’ll clean up.”
“I can help.”
“I know you can. But you’re always waiting on other people. Let me for once.” He kisses the end of my nose before collecting the cutlery and containers and leaving the room.
While he’s gone, I turn off the music system, assuming he’ll want to watch TV or something.
I can’t believe how far I’ve fallen and how fast. It seems insane to think that just a short time ago, I thought of him as the world’s biggest jerk, but now…
now the thought of him leaving makes me feel physically ill.
“What’s wrong?”
Carter’s voice startles me, and I watch him walk toward me. There’s no reason to pretend nothing is wrong. If we’re going to have a successful long-distance relationship, good communication is key.
“I was just thinking about how you have to leave soon.” I frown. “I know we’re going to keep seeing each other, but I’m going to miss having you here.”
He draws in a deep breath, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say he looks nervous. “I’m so glad to hear you say that.” He closes the distance, setting his hands on my hips, pulling me in. “I feel the same way. I don’t want this to end, and last night I thought, maybe it doesn’t have to.”
My forehead wrinkles. I’m not sure what he’s talking about, but I assume it has something to do with the reason he was gone most of the day.
When I asked him while we were eating what he was up to today, he told me I would find out later.
At the time I thought maybe he was out looking for a Christmas present for me, but now I’m not so sure.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“What I’m about to say is going to sound insane, but all I ask is that you hear me out, all right?”
“Okay…”
Carter cups my face. “Ashley, we had a connection the moment we met, and yes, when I say the moment, I mean New York. I know I freaked out and everything, but it wasn’t because I didn’t feel an immediate draw to you.
I just thought it was because of my long-standing friendship with your sister.
But it didn’t take long for me to figure out after coming here that the connection I felt was all because of you.
You are the most thoughtful, caring, and selfless woman I’ve known, and you’re gorgeous on top of it.
You’re sexy, but at the same time you have no idea just how much.
I love how you embarrass so easily and the way your cheeks get pink.
I love how you care about your community and your neighbors and always strive to do your best no matter what the task is.
There’s so much I already know about you, but there’s also so much more I want to discover.
” He swallows and releases a shuddering breath.
“I know you don’t think of yourself as a spontaneous person, but I would disagree.
You bought this B&B in a different state, away from everything and everyone you’ve ever known, and took a chance that it would work out.
What I’m asking you now is to take another big chance—on us. ”
He drops onto one knee, and all the air leaves my lungs in a whoosh. He pulls a gorgeous antique art déco ring from his pocket, and I gasp. I know exactly where it’s from—the jewelry store in town. It’s been in their window for months, and every time I walk by, I admire it.
“Ashley, I love you, and I don’t want this to end.
Ever. I know it’s fast, and I know people will have their opinions, but I already know I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
I don’t need to spend another year enduring a long-distance relationship to know you’re it for me. You’re my person. Will you marry me?”
My stomach swoops as if I’m charging down the track of a roller coaster in the last car. “But you live in New York.”
I don’t know why that’s the first thing out of my mouth and not immediately the word no. But it’s the first thing that pops in my head, that we can’t be married and live in different states.
He shakes his head. “I’m quitting my job. Starting my own business like I’ve wanted to for years, the same way you did when you bought this place. I can do that job from anywhere, so I can stay in Mistletoe Falls, with you.”
Excitement bubbles in my stomach and fizzles in my veins. Am I really considering this?
God, yes. Yes, I am.
Since the moment I met Carter, something just felt right about him.
Solid. As though he’d finally taken his place in my life as he was always meant to.
Maybe that’s why I was so upset after our first date when he rejected me outright.
I questioned how I could be so wrong about the connection between us.
Carter doesn’t pressure me for an answer while I stand silent. He just looks up at me with a hopeful expression on his face while I work it out in my head.
But it doesn’t take me long to know my answer. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Tears fill my eyes as he slides the ring onto my finger. It’s a perfect fit as if he measured my ring finger. He stands and takes my face in his hands, pulling me in for a kiss. We both laugh and cry happy tears while our lips mingle together. It’s much too short when he abruptly pulls away.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He cringes. “I practiced my speech all day in my head, and I can’t believe I missed the second most important part.”
“What?”
“I want us to get married tonight.”
My mouth drops open. “Tonight?”
“Today was supposed to be Steph and Doug’s day, so everything is already in motion for there to be a wedding this evening. I want it to be ours. I don’t want to waste any time starting my life with you.”
His request is the single most romantic thing I’ve heard in my life. Maybe a little insane, but romantic, nonetheless.
It doesn’t take me more than half a second to think about it before I blurt, “Yes!”
We crash together in another kiss, and when we pull away this time, he rests his forehead on mine, his hands holding my face to his.
“Are we crazy for doing this?” I ask.
“Probably, but it doesn’t make it wrong.”
“It doesn’t feel wrong.”
He smiles at me. “No, it doesn’t.”
“What am I going to wear? It’s not like I have a wedding dress lying around.”
He arches an eyebrow. “Actually, you do.”
“There’s no way I’m wearing my sister’s wedding dress.”
He laughs. “Wear your bridesmaid’s dress then. You’ll look beautiful in whatever you wear, Ash. I just want to marry you.” He runs a hand down my arm.
“That’s actually a good idea. I’ll wear the bridesmaid’s dress, and you can wear the suit you have for the wedding.”
“Perfect. You don’t have to do anything other than get yourself ready. I have a couple calls to make now that you’ve said yes, so meet me at the altar in three hours.”
I nod. “In three hours, you’ll be my husband.”
He smiles, and it feels like the warmth of sunshine on my face after a long winter. “I promise you won’t regret this.”