Page 40 of Waiting for You (Balsam Cliffs #3)

A year ago, Evelyn moved in with me. And now this Christmas, I’m ready for one more milestone.

Ash jumps on us, trying to find feet and hands to attack. He’s a year old but he hasn’t left the playful kitten phase yet. Looking over I see Evelyn still curled up under the blankets.

“Come on, Ash. We’ve got to get Mama’s present ready.” Scooping up the cat, I quietly get out of bed and head downstairs.

Getting Ash ready and dressed up, I let him go back to terrorizing the house while I heat up the cinnamon rolls from Violet.

“Mmm what smells so good?” Eve’s sleepy voice comes down the hall.

“Just a couple Christmas cinnamon rolls.” I lean over to kiss her.

“Best decision ever.” She swipes her finger through the icing, running the sticky sugar over my lips before she licks it all off.

I love this woman. Every day with her is an adventure.

She abandons me to get the cat food like she does every morning, Ash comes running with the sound of the opening can.

The jingle bell I attached to his new Santa collar jingles with every step.

“Good morning my handsome little love.” She nuzzles into the cat’s forehead. Sometimes I wonder if she loves the cat more than me. As she continues to scratch his little head, she gets closer to her gift.

Taking my moment, I spin to face her, dropping to one knee.

“Oh my goodness, look at this adorable little collar. Did you…” She stops talking and looks closer at the clasp. “Hunter, what is this?”

When she turns to ask me the question, I’m already down on one knee as she holds Ash in her arms, the diamond engagement ring between her fingers.

“Evelyn Thomas. The years we lost together had me lost in life, scrambling to find a purpose. But when you came back it felt like everything was right with my world. My heart was complete. I’m not a whole man without you.

Loving you gives me purpose, and it’s a purpose I’m happy to fill.

Worshiping you and loving you is the best thing I’ve ever had the pleasure to do.

” Reaching up, I take Ash from her arms and unhook the ring from his collar.

“Will you please let me love you and worship you for the rest of my life?”

She drops to her knees, cupping my face in her hands with tears streaming down hers. “Nothing would ever make me happier! I love you so much, Hunter Keaton!”

“I love you more, Peach. Forever.” Wrapping my arms around her we both fall onto the kitchen floor with Ash trying to get between us. She kisses me with her salty tears falling on our lips.

I pull back, taking her left hand in mine and slip the antique ring on her finger. It’s a perfect fit.

Just like us.

“Are you sure you’re ready to tell everyone we’re engaged? They’re going to be all over you. The girls are going to steal you from me and I won’t see you.” I pout.

“Oh stop. You’ll be fine. I think you had plenty of me this morning.”

I did. On the kitchen floor. The shower. The bed.

“I guess I could always steal you away. I bet there are some open rooms upstairs. Or there’s always the office.” Winking at her, I mentally go through the spots that could be available to us.

“Uh, no. The office has cameras. Just ask Liam.”

I park the truck outside the inn and we gather up all the bags of presents.

“Now or never,” a final warning, hoping she’ll change her mind.

“Now. I’m ready for all of it now.” She kisses my cheek and pushes open the front door. “Besides, I already texted the girls a photo of the ring this morning.”

“OHMYGOD! Show me now!” Willow runs to us before we can even walk through the door.

The other girls swarm around us, taking her left hand in theirs and inspecting the ring.

“Congratulations!” Anna pulls Eve in for a tight hug. “I can’t wait for you to officially be my daughter!”

“Well I guess any of the gifts we bought today won’t be that great, huh?” Emma jokes.

“Oh stop. You brought my baby niece. There is nothing better than that.” Eve tries to assuage Emma.

Violet grabs her finger. “Really? Not even a…” she inspects the ring. “One and a half carat diamond set in a vintage deco setting?”

“Well. That might be just as good.” Eve looks over at me, a smile playing on her lips.

Winking at her, I leave the girls alone and take all the presents over to the tree, scooping Olivia up on my way to sneak her a little gift from Uncle Hunt.

Watching Evelyn gush over her engagement ring, and taking in my family around us, I can’t wait for everything our future has in store for us.