Page 39 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove (Jonathon Island #5)

O ver the snow drifts and up the hill, under white-coated pines, and atop Sunset Cove, the snow drifted past the frosted windows of the Barrett house. It had been nearly a week since Daisy had come back to him, and now the house burst with warmth and laughter, filling it to the brim.

Hunter leaned against the doorjamb, looking in at the ongoing engagement party.

Asher stood near the Christmas tree, regaling Vera with a recent tale from the stables while Sadie sat on the nearby couch, Augo’s dog, Lucy, in her arms. Augo, Roger, and the rest of the gin rummy crew were huddled nearby, arguing animatedly over a recent game.

Or maybe it was a future game. They didn’t seem to need much of a reason.

Beyond them, the Barrett brothers—minus Miles—had taken over the sunroom, their booming laughter mixing with the Christmas music playing softly through the house.

In the corner, Dani and Liam were deep in conversation with Seb Jonathon, while Mia was perched on the arm of Cody’s chair, both of them stealing bites from identical plates of Lily and Declan’s famous fudge. And across from them stood his fiancée—his real fiancée.

She was beautiful. Her honey-brown hair was pulled up into some sort of bun, wrapped up impossibly into itself. Her lips tugged upward at the corner, hinting at some inside joke as she conversed with Cody and Mia. Her gaze drifted and found his.

Aw, she caught him.

Pushing away, he sifted through the crowd.

“Two plates?” Hunter asked low in her ear as his arms slid around her waist. “Who brought the fudge?”

“Lily and Declan. Separately.” Daisy laughed, leaning back against his chest.

Hunter let out a satisfied breath, his hand curling around her delicate fingers. His thumb brushed over his grandmother’s ring, perfectly set on her finger. He’d never get used to that.

Suddenly, a muffled knock sounded from the front door, barely audible over the din of conversation and music.

Daisy frowned, glancing around. “Who would that be?”

“Let’s find out.” He tugged her toward the door, fighting to keep the smile from his face. He’d been checking his phone all evening, waiting for this moment.

“Hunter?” She glanced up at him, suspicious now.

He gave her hand one more squeeze and reached for the door.

Outside, the snow had created a winter wonderland, and standing on the porch, with snow in her hair, was a woman with Daisy’s smile.

The woman did a little jazz hands. “Surprise!”

“Mom?” Daisy’s hand flew to her mouth as she launched herself into her mother’s arms. “I can’t believe you’re here!”

Daisy’s mother held her for a long moment before pulling back. “Of course I’m here. I wouldn’t miss my own daughter’s engagement party!”

Hunter grinned, watching the moment play out.

Daisy pulled back just enough to look at him, her eyes shining with tears. “Did you do this?”

He shrugged, trying his best to play it cool.

Clasping her mother’s hand, Daisy dragged her into the house. “Come in! You need to meet everyone…”

They vanished into the crowded parlor, Hunter trailing behind. He posted himself on the edge of the fray, leaning against a wall as he listened to Daisy gushing out introductions, beaming.

Mia worked her way through the crowd, Cody in tow.

“Well, well,” Mia said with a knowing smile. “Look who’s a big ol’ softy now.”

Hunter shot her a sideways look. “No idea what you’re talking about.”

She suppressed her smile. “Sure you don’t.”

Hunter’s phone vibrated, pulling his attention away, and he pulled it from his pocket. His screen lit up with a text from Jonah White, Holland’s brother and his oldest friend from Jonathon Island.

Jonah

Hey, man. Sorry this is last minute, but I’m standing on the docks and it looks like I missed the last ferry. Would you be able to come grab me?

Cody, who leaned against the wall next to him, gave his shoulder a nudge. “What’s wrong?”

Hunter grimaced. “It’s Jonah. Apparently, he’s come by for a surprise visit. And missed the ferry.”

“Oof.”

“Yeah.” Hunter angled the phone toward Cody. “And now he wants a ride. Except he doesn’t know I sold my MasterCraft.”

Cody glanced at the ongoing party. “Let me take care of it.”

“Thanks, man,” Hunter said.

“Don’t mention it.” Cody turned and gave his girlfriend a quick peck on the cheek before pushing away from the wall. “I’ll make sure he gets home.”

Hunter waited for Cody to step out the front door, and then shot a quick text back.

Hunter

Ha! Just missed it. Hang tight, we’ll get you here.

Hunter watched as Daisy introduced her mom to his brothers, who had the pair completely surrounded, before making his way toward the sunroom, where he’d last seen his dad.

He found him standing beside the fireplace, his eyes running over the room he’d built for the love of his life, the one he’d repaired for the love of his son’s life.

“Hey, Dad,” Hunter said, stopping in front of him.

“Hey, Hunt.” His dad glanced at him, the lines of his face not so deep tonight. “You should be real proud of the renovations. The house looks great.”

Hunter followed his gaze, tracing the memory of the damage that had been fixed. “Thank you.”

His dad released a relaxed breath, a smile tipping on his lips. “Just had an interesting chat with Seb and Liam,” he said nonchalantly.

“Yeah?”

“They were admiring the mantel.” He glanced back at the beautifully carved family tree. It really was his best work. “Got to talking about custom work.” He took a sip of his drink, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Looks like I might be taking on some local projects. Maybe slow down a little bit.”

Hunter’s brows drew together. “What happened to ‘it’s too risky’?”

His dad smiled, a peace settling over his features. “You know, son, I think I’m gonna try letting God take the reins for a change.”

The words hit Hunter square in the chest.

“Just like that?” Hunter asked.

“Just like that.” His dad’s gaze drifted to where Daisy and her mother were laughing with the rest of Hunter’s family. “Sometimes the best things in life come when you stop trying to work it out yourself. I think you know a little about that.”

He glanced over at Daisy. Smiled. “I think I do.”

* * *

This night had been…everything.

Daisy’s feet were tucked up into a cozy blanket as she curled up on the couch in the sunroom.

A fire crackled in the new mantel. Her mother, sitting at the other end, brushed her fingers over Daisy’s hand, examining the ring in the soft lamplight.

The house had finally quieted, the last of the guests trickling out into the winter night.

“It really is beautiful, sweetie.” Her mother smiled, letting the ring catch the light.

“It was Hunter’s grandmother’s.” Daisy touched the delicate setting. “Can you believe it?”

“I can, actually.” Her mother squeezed her hand.

Daisy beamed again. Her cheeks were going to be sore tomorrow from all this smiling.

Her mother’s gaze trailed through the house with a familiar look, as though she’d been here before. “You’ve done such a wonderful job with this house, Daisy. You really do have such a gift.”

Daisy glanced over her shoulder to where Hunter was dutifully cleaning in the parlor. “I didn’t do it alone.”

They fell quiet for a moment, the Christmas lights twinkling across the windows.

“When do you find out about that renovation contest?” her mom asked.

“Couple of weeks.” Daisy’s heart fluttered at the thought.

“The prize money would help a lot with finishing the renovations. Or…” She bit her lip, letting the idea she’d been tinkering with slip out.

“Maybe even starting a design business. Hunter and I have been talking about it. We could put a couple of desks in the parlor, some comfortable chairs for meeting with clients…”

Her mother’s eyes lit up. “I can see it.” She glanced around the sunroom, taking in the carefully restored details. “I think God’s going to have a lot of fun watching you and Hunter turn houses into homes.”

Daisy leaned back. “I think maybe you’re right.”

Her mother’s gaze flickered toward the door, a smile tugging at her lips. Hunter leaned against the door, hands in his pockets. “I’ll give you two a moment.”

She exited, giving Hunter’s shoulder a soft pat on her way out.

The room fell into a warm quiet, the Christmas tree lights and the crackle of the fire enveloping them as Hunter sank on the floor next to her, laying his head in Daisy’s lap.

She brushed the hair away from his forehead, placing a soft kiss above his brow.

Hunter’s eyes drifted shut, a smile sliding across his lips.

She leaned back again, stroking her fingers through his hair. Her gaze wandered again, over the room where it all began. “You know, I knew this house was special the moment I saw it. But…I had no idea just how special it would be. This house…it’s like family to me.”

Hunter glanced up at her with those dark eyes.

She brushed her fingers over his brows and cheekbones, tracing the glow of the fire against his skin. “It’s funny, isn’t it? How God knows what we need, even when we don’t?”

“It’s a little exciting,” Hunter said, turning to look at her fully now. “To know we can trust God with the planning from now on. And to know He’ll be present in the good times and the bad.”

She grinned. “Exactly.”

Daisy Decker said goodbye to the girl with a plan.