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“Taye.” Coop gulped air, his eyes on the verge of tears.

She waited patiently as he dipped into the promise box, coming out with the note and something else rolled up inside.

He unrolled it and read the words without hesitation. “It says, ‘You’re one of a kind, Taylor, and I promise to love you forever.’” Then he laid a delicate gold brooch designed with tiny roses into her palm and closed her hand around it. “This was my mother’s. It’s very special to me and I’ve always wanted you to have it. Because I love you, Taylor. I loved you then and I love you now.”

“You do?”

“Took me a while to realize it, but I do, Taye. I love you. Cassie was right to snoop. She was right to bring out the promise box. That girl may not even get grounded. And Dad, well, he’s quite a fan of yours. He said I’ve been a jerk to you. I know I have. I’ve fought my feelings for you since you got here. You know all the reasons, but I was wrong to deny us a second chance and I promise to make it up to you if you can ever forgive me.” He took hold of her hands, and his eyes filled with so much regret she didn’t doubt his sincerity for a second.

“For being cautious with your heart and protective of your daughter? I get that, I really do. Yes, Coop. I promise you’re forgiven.”

“Thank God.” He closed his eyes briefly and then when he gazed at her again, she saw love on his face, in his eyes. It was a beautiful thing.

“And will you stay in Last Stand, Taylor? With me, us? Do you think you could be happy here?”

She clutched the rose brooch to her chest and answered without hesitation. “Yes, Coop. IknowI’ll be happy here.”

“But your job?”

“Doesn’t matter. I once promised my mother I’d pursue my dream and never give up on it. But what I found is that dreams change. And this dream, this promise, is the most important one in my life. That’s all my mom wanted for me. To be happy in whatever I do.”

“I love you, Taylor. With all my heart.”

His words sank in and planted joy in places that were once hollow and empty. “I love you too, Coop. With all my heart.”

Coop took her face in his hands, looked into her eyes and then lowered his head to brush his lips to hers. She slipped her arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss.

It was the kind of kiss a girl could only dream about.

And the kind of kiss that promised a lifetime of happiness.

*

Six months later…

Autumn leaves coloredthe earth and gentle breezes whisked away the humid remnants of summer. It was a perfect day for a wedding. Only this time, Taylor was the bride. She faced Coop in his backyard in front of the pristine new gazebo he’d constructed for her, for them. It was a symbol of their love and commitment. It was their childhood and their future. Maybe one day, their children would commandeer a pirate ship or set up a restaurant inside the white lattice walls of the gazebo.

Oh, how she loved the man she was to marry today. Dressed in an elegant black suit and string tie, he was a stunning groom.

Grandpa Joe stood by his side.

Julie stood by her side.

And little Cassie once again displayed her super flower girl powers wearing a dress that sparkled in the sunlight, her blond curls draping over her shoulders, a look of pure joy on her face.

Their friends and family were all here, Simone and Brenda making the trip from New York and her father standing on the steps of the gazebo, ready to marry them.

She wore her dream dress, an ivory gown of her own design with layers of delicate lace at the bodice gathered together by a very special golden brooch of tiny roses. Coop had noticed it and approval gleamed in his eyes.

“You look beautiful,” Coop whispered for her ears only. “I can’t wait to make you my wife.”

“And I can’t wait to call you husband.”

And when the ceremony began, Coop took her hand and faced the minister as they spoke their promises to one another.

She was where she belonged, with Coop and their expanded family. She was doing the work of her heart’s desire. With the help of Blake Charles, she was now the owner of a one-of-a-kind bridal salon, previously known as the Purple Pansy, on the corner of Bluebonnet and Laurel newly named Promises by Taylor.

But mostly, and more importantly, she was the proudownerof Coop’s loving heart.

The End