Page 73 of Hideaway

“I went in for a meeting with my new boss this morning before I left Boston,” she told me. “Because it’s a financial consulting firm, I’ll be contracted out to various companies in the area to perform financial assessments. I asked if there was a possibility to work remotely, and it turns out…there is.”

“Really?” I asked, hardly daring to hope.

She grinned as a tear broke free, slipping down her cheek. “I’ll be able to complete a good portion of my work remotely. I only need to go into the office in Boston a few times a month, and sometimes I might travel to other cities in the area, depending on where my clients are located.”

“Working remotely?” I repeated. “As in, here?”

She nodded. “I can sell my condo in Boston and move here with you, and I’ll just get a hotel room or an AirBnb when I go down for a meeting. I’ll still get to see my friends and visit the city regularly. Maybe I can even convince you to come with me from time to time.”

“I think you could do that.” I pressed my lips to hers, drowning in emotion, because suddenly, it felt like I had everything I’d ever wanted, and maybe she did too.

“I do have one condition,” she said, glancing down at Violet, who was standing beside her, too tangled in her leash to step away. “Actually, two.”

“Okay,” I said.

“First, I want to buy this cabin with you. We’ll go in jointly so it can beourhome, not just yours.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “I love that.” Owning a home together felt permanent and wonderful.

“And second,” she said. “I want to adopt Violet.”

“Oh.” The tears that had been brimming in my eyes spilled over. “Yes, please do.”

“And the four of us will live happily ever after,” she said, radiating happiness as bright as the sun shining overhead. “Right here in the cabin where we first met.”

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