Page 35 of Belonging: KT & Lolo (Good Hope: The Next Generation #2)

Snow flurries danced in the glow of the lights lining Main Street, and Lolo tightened her grip on KT’s gloved hand as they strolled past the festively decorated storefronts.

Twinkling lights outlined every window, wreaths hung from every lamppost, and the scent of cinnamon and roasted nuts wafted from Blooms Bake Shop.

“The Christmas Stroll is even better than I remember,” she murmured, smiling as a group of carolers launched into “Joy to the World” across the square.

KT glanced sideways at her, his blue eyes crinkling with affection. “I still can’t believe I had to bribe you with a peppermint mocha to get you out of the house tonight.”

She nudged him gently. “I wasn’t resisting. I was savoring my early Christmas gift.”

Yesterday, when they’d arrived at the log home KT had purchased several months earlier, Lolo’s gaze had immediately been drawn to a covered painting on the wall.

The moment replayed in her mind—the hush in the room, the way he’d carefully removed the drape to reveal his latest masterpiece and how she’d stood there in stunned silence.

The painting pulsed with layered emotion, a cascade of bold strokes and softened edges that drew the eye and refused to let go. Vivid cobalt and sun-washed golds moved in deliberate tension—opposites somehow in perfect harmony, the way she often felt with him.

He’d pointed to a sweep of shadowed green curved low across the canvas. “See how it anchors it? It’s how your presence anchors me.”

Lines bled and blurred, but at the center, a single form emerged—suggested, not defined. Not a portrait, not exactly. More an echo of a woman—a shoulder, a lifted chin, a presence in motion and light. A brush of violet near the core gave it breath. A whisper of life. Of something deeply loved.

Then he told her he hadn’t just painted her likeness—he’d painted the way she made him feel. Undaunted. Inspired. Like he belonged.

It was her spirit, rendered in pigment. A virtual heartbeat, he’d called it. And standing in front of it, Lolo had felt her own heartbeat respond.

She cleared her throat now. “It was the best Christmas gift you could’ve given me.”

“Mmm, maybe.” He grinned, eyes alight with mischief. “Let’s see how you feel after you see your other gift.”

She bumped him lightly with her shoulder. “I’m telling you now, it’ll be impossible to top the painting.”

His eyes twinkled. “We’ll see.”

Their pace slowed as they passed the Good Tea, its window display showcasing various holiday tea blends tied up with tartan bows.

“I love this,” Lolo said. “The whole town dressed up like a Hallmark movie.”

“Seeing it through your eyes makes me remember the good times. But it doesn’t just feel like my hometown anymore. It feels like ours. ”

He said it simply, but the words settled deep.

Lolo glanced up at him, heart full. “I suspect you’d have rather been here or in the city, but you’ve been a trouper the past six weeks. Getting to know my family, learning all the Lexington quirks…”

“I love having you show me your favorite stores and restaurants, the places that make you light up when you talk about them. It’s made me see why it’s so special to you.”

Emotion swelled in Lolo’s chest, making it hard to swallow. Introducing the man she loved to her family, friends and colleagues had shown her how well he fit into her life.

He chuckled. “Though having your dad introduce me to Malcolm and every other person he knows as his ‘daughter’s friend, the famous artist,’ took me by surprise.”

“He’s proud of you. Seeing you every day allowed them to know the man you are and to love you as much as I do.”

“Your mom and dad are great.” KT squeezed her hand. “And speaking of family, you flying to Denver to celebrate Thanksgiving with mine meant a lot.”

“I think your dad was sizing me up at Thanksgiving.” Lolo shook her head, but she couldn’t help but smile. “So many questions.”

“He just wanted to be sure the woman I love sees me clearly. And that I see her clearly, too.”

They passed the fountain, where someone had tucked holly around the base, and KT slowed, his expression thoughtful.

“Though it hasn’t been easy, we’ve made the last three months work,” he said, tugging her closer. “You needed time to ease into working remotely. I needed time in New York to finish up those commissions. I’m telling you, though, that first month apart was brutal.”

“And now here we are.” She leaned into him, lifting her face for a kiss.

KT stopped and faced her, brushing a snowflake from her cheek with the back of his gloved hand before leaning in to kiss her gently. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever.”

She slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart for several long, quiet heartbeats. “I’m glad we have this time for just the two of us before my parents arrive next week.”

“Me, too.”

They stood for a moment, watching the families walk by, the little ones pointing excitedly at the lights and window displays. It felt like a chapter closing and another just beginning.

She looked up. “You think we’ll always be able to come back here for Christmas?”

“I think we’ll always want to.”

After the holidays, their plans were open-ended. First, back to Lexington. Then, New York. And then back to Good Hope. Maybe to stay.

Keeping their options open was how they’d framed it when sharing their plans with her parents and his family. But deep down, Lolo knew that home wasn’t a place—it was a person.

The future still held questions, but standing here, surrounded by holiday lights, hand in hand with the man she loved, Lolo felt something settle deep and sure inside her.

As long as she was with KT, she was home.

Lolo and KT ended their stroll at the fountain. With hands clasped, they paused beneath the watchful gaze of the three matriarchs. The glow of the lamplight danced off the snow-dusted bronze, and the nostalgia of the moment wrapped around her like a well-worn quilt.

When she glanced at KT, his expression mirrored her own—full of quiet reflection and something more…

“When I tossed that coin into the fountain,” he began, his voice low and rough-edged with feeling, “I asked for clarity. In my work. In my life. ”

He paused, his gaze finding hers, steady and full of love. “And now I have it. About you. About me. About us.”

Tears stung the backs of her eyes, but she held them back, not wanting to miss a single detail.

“I love you,” he said, each word a vow. “I know that what we’re building is real and lasting.”

He bent down, gloved hand sweeping across the powdery snow, and drew a heart with deliberate care. Then, inside it, their initials: KTS + LK.

“When we walked the beach,” Lolo said, her breath hitching, “y-you said?—”

“—that I was saving the initials for later,” he finished, standing again, brushing the snow from his glove. “For when we were ready to make it permanent.”

His eyes locked on hers. “I’m ready, Lolo. Ready to build a life with you. Not just as your good friend,” a smile tugged at his lips, “but as your husband.”

Before she could speak, he pulled off his gloves, reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. With a quiet flick, he opened it.

Her hands flew to her mouth, heart thudding. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, tears finally spilling.

KT’s thumb skimmed over her knuckles as he took her trembling hand. “Tell me you’re ready, too. Will you marry me, Lolo?”

A laugh bubbled up—breathless, bright, full of joy and surety.

“Yes,” she whispered. Then again, stronger, steady as her heart. “Yes. I’ll marry you. And I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”

With a reverent smile, he slid off her glove and slipped the ring onto her finger.

She looked down and gasped. “It fits.”

His grin turned tender. “Just like us.”

He wrapped her in his arms, holding her close like he never meant to let her go. And when his lips met hers, soft and searing, Lolo melted into the moment.

Because this… This was it .

Home wasn’t a city.

It wasn’t Lexington, or New York, or even Good Hope.

It was this .

It was him.

And no matter where life took them next, as long as they were together, she was exactly where she belonged.

Snowflakes began to drift down again, soft as whispers, settling into the grooves of the heart he’d drawn. Their initials glinted faintly in the lamplight, a quiet promise etched into winter’s canvas.

Lolo leaned into KT, her cheek against his chest, as the bronze figures behind them looked on—Gladys, Katherine and Ruby—silent witnesses to yet another story unfolding at the heart of Good Hope.

Thank you for coming along on KT and Lolo’s journey. From the moment KT and Lolo first met as young teens in Say I Do in Good Hope , I felt that these two would be a perfect match…someday.

Seeing those early connections come to fruition is only one of the many reasons I’m enjoying writing this series, which is set ten years after my Good Hope series ended.

Reviews are incredibly beneficial, especially when launching a new series.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you!!

Cindy

PS- If you’d like to see KT and Lolo as children, grab a copy of Say I Do in Good Hope or keep reading for a sneak peek.

The next book in the Good Hope Next Generation series, Promise: John & Zoe , a heartwarming small-town romance full of love, friendship, and second chances, is now available for preorder. Reserve your copy today!