Page 47 of Now That It’s You (The Can’t Have Hearts Club #5)
One year later
Kyle kicked his toe through the big pile of leaves, breathing in the scent of wood smoke and pumpkin pie spice clinging to the sleeves of his wool coat. Or maybe it was in Meg’s hair. The cinnamon had kinda gotten everywhere.
Thanksgiving-morning kitchen counter sex was definitely worth scratching off the bucket list.
Meg’s mitten-sheathed fingers felt warm in his, and he squeezed her hand tight, then let their linked hands fall between them, swinging as they walked. He looked at his mother, who was smiling, albeit a little stiffly.
But it was still a smile. When had she started to do that again? It must’ve happened gradually, like a slow thaw. Kyle could still see sadness there, too—it would probably always be there—but warmth seeped into her eyes more often now.
His mom caught him staring and reached out to touch the side of his face. “You have whipped cream on your cheek.”
“Thanks,” he said as she brushed it off.
His mom dropped her hand and glanced at Meg. Perhaps sensing the gaze, Meg looked back and gave her a shy smile. “How are you doing, Sylvia?”
“Fine.” She seemed to realize her reply sounded terse, and she offered a sheepish half shrug. “Thank you, dear. I’m glad you could be with us.”
Meg’s shaky smile steadied. “I’m glad to be included. I always loved being part of this family.”
“It’s nice to have you.” Kyle’s mother paused. “How’s the show doing?”
“Very well, thank you.” Meg glanced at Kyle and the two of them shared a private smile.
Very well was the understatement of the year.
Muffins with Meg had already been renewed for a second season, with celebrity guests lined up in droves.
Next week, Meg would film episode on wine pairings with Reese Clark from Sunridge Vineyards.
The following week, she was scheduled to host Dr. Vivienne Brandt to discuss the mental health benefits of comfort food.
The week after that they’d be taking the show to an outside location, visiting a Portland bed and breakfast populated by cats descended from Ernest Hemingway’s beloved feline brood.
Meg had spent hours this past week perfecting her recipe for kitty treats. Their house smelled like herring, but Meg was happy. And if Meg was happy, so was Kyle.
Squeezing her hand, he caught her attention. “Proud of you,” he murmured.
Meg blushed to the tips of her hair. “Thank you.”
Kyle thought he’d spoken quietly, but he must have misjudged. His mother cleared her throat and stepped closer as they crunched through fall leaves. “We’re proud of you, too, Meg.” His mom touched her arm. “I always believed in you.”
He watched as tears filled her eyes and Meg blinked them back stoically. “That means so much to me. Thanks, Sylvia.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, dear.”
“You, too.”
Kyle’s dad put his arm around Sylvia. He didn’t say anything, but the gesture spoke of a deep, easy affection between them. It was something Kyle had always admired.
On the other side of Meg, Patti walked hand in hand with a tall man sporting a gray beard and a gentle smile. Meg’s mom had only been dating Glen a few weeks, but he’d seemed delighted when Patti had asked him to join their dual-family Thanksgiving celebration.
Patti caught Kyle staring at her, and gave a small wink. Right. She knew what was about to happen.
They were approaching the spot now. Kyle looked up at the overhead wire. It was bare now, but he remembered the shape of that dove. The lonely shadow teetering above while its mate lay cold on the ground below.
But Bindi pranced happily beside him, reminding him of new life, new beginnings, new paths to joy.
Kyle dug his hand into his pocket. His fingers closed around the metal circle, warm from being pressed against his leg. He felt his heart start to gallop as he stopped walking and let go of Meg’s hand. She took another step, then turned, surprised by the movement or by the sound of his voice.
“Meg Delaney.” Her eyes flashed with astonishment, then joy as he dropped to one knee on the cold, dry asphalt.
“I love you,” he said, reaching for her hand again. “The last year with you has been amazing, every single day, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He caught the tip of her mitten in one hand and gave a tug, sliding it off as she gasped in wonder.
He dropped the mitten on the ground and slid the band onto her finger—a perfect fit, beautifully snug.
She looked down at it, and he watched her eyes as she recognized the layers of Damascus steel, the glimmer of the blue sapphire at the center.
“My grandmother’s birthstone,” she murmured, her eyes meeting his. “You remembered.”
“I remember everything,” he said. “Maybe not names and celebrity gossip, but I remember the things that matter. And I want to make a million more memories with you for the rest of our lives. What do you say, Meg?” Kyle grinned, pretty sure his heart was about to burst. “Will you marry me?”
“I will.” She laughed as a tear slid down one cheek. “I’d be honored.”
Kyle felt his mother step closer and place a hand on his back. He looked up to see she was touching Meg’s shoulder, too. She moved the palm on his back in small circles the way she used to when he couldn’t fall asleep as a young boy.
Then his mother turned and smiled at his fiancée. “Welcome to the family, Meg. Again .”
***
Thank you so much for following The Can’t Have Hearts Club to the end!
I’d love to hear which book you loved best if you read all five in this series.
Did any side characters jump out at you as deserving a story of their own?
If Now That It’s You fired up your appetite for culinary-themed romantic comedy, I’d love to introduce you to Show Off .
It’s a part of my Juniper Ridge rom-com series starring six famous siblings fed up with Hollywood drama who buy a quirky piece of property in middle-of-freakin’-nowhere Oregon to start a small town with a mishmash of medics, chefs, and teachers seeking a fresh start—and maybe a shot at love.
It’s half social experiment, half television hit, and one hundred percent heartwarming and hilarious.
While Show Off and grumpy chef Dal Yang land later in the series, you can hop in here if you like, since all the books in the series are standalone.
Keep reading for a peek at the first chapter of Show Off !