I scanned my apartment. There were a few items of furniture that needed to go into storage and a few that needed to be sold, but everything else was either at the cabin or in the bed of Garrett’s truck.
He eased up behind me and circled his arms around me. “Everything that’s left goes to the storage unit?”
“Mostly. I’m selling the couch. What about the table and chairs?” I didn’t want to store something I wouldn’t want when I emptied stuff from storage.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s okay, but it’s not something I’d put in my dream home. If that makes sense.”
“Sell it.”
“Let me take some pictures. I’m not posting anything until Delaney gets back. Because she’ll see the posts, and then my surprise will be ruined.”
Garrett squinted and cocked his head. “What are you planning, Tessa?”
I flashed what I hoped was an innocent-looking smile. “A surprise.”
“Details.” One eyebrow lifted. The man had no clue how hot he was.
“I’m going to leave a post-it note on the door that says MOVED-Call Me. That’s it. Nothing bad.”
He laughed. “I hope I’m around when Delaney and Eli find you.”
“They are supposed to be back tonight. I don’t figure they’ll show up at my apartment until tomorrow.” I locked the door and followed him to the truck.
“How did today go at the shop?”
“Good.” I waited until he slid behind the wheel to share my other surprise. “I interviewed someone today.”
He snapped his head to face me. “You did what?”
“I can’t work every single day like I used to. Even if I just train someone to run the store and only have to show up to make doughnuts, that’s better than what I’ve been doing. It’s not healthy.”
He grabbed my hand. “How’d it go?”
“She starts Tuesday. Now I just need to find someone who likes to make doughnuts. Oh, I also decided that I’m going to start closing on Mondays. The weekends are busy, and being closed that day just makes sense.” I’d looked at the books and knew that hiring two people and closing one day a week wasn’t going to put me in the red.
Squeezing my hand, he backed out of the parking spot. “You amaze me, Tessa. I’ll do my best not to let work—”
“Stop. I know you are learning about the ranch and that it takes time. I also see the role model you have. It may have taken your dad more than a year to take Lilith on an exotic honeymoon, but he made it work. And the best part, it’s not just you running the ranch. One day, when Clint decides to retire, you’ll find another foreman who will run things with the same skill.” I rubbed his arm. “You’re a rancher. Hours may vary. I know that, and I’m totally fine with that.”
He pulled my fingers to his lips. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“I love you. I love that you’re Mr. Henry now, but you’ll always be my Mr. Right.”
“You’re the best.”
Eli pulled open the door to the shop, and Delaney ran up to the counter.
She held up the note in front of my face. “Does this mean what I think it means?”
“I’m surprised you found that already.” I pulled two doughnuts out of the case, one of each of the newest additions. “Want to try my new flavors?”
Eli leaned over Delaney’s shoulder. “Yes. What kind are they?”
“Taste them.”
She shook her head. “First I want to know the answer.” She glanced at the few people sitting at tables, then grabbed my left hand. “I had to check.”
I rolled my eyes. Her reaction made my news seem anti-climactic.
“Leaning forward, I whispered, “I moved to the ranch . . . into my own cabin.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You didn’t break things off with Garrett?”
“Of course she didn’t.” Eli licked his fingers. “Didn’t you see the way she looked at him when they posed for pictures at the reception? I like both of them but the cinnamon one is my favorite.”
Delaney’s jaw dropped open. “You ate both of them? Did you leave me even a bite?”
As he pulled out his wallet, Eli flashed his get-out-of-trouble smile, which usually worked on everyone except his mom. “Tessa, could I get two doughnuts? The new flavors.”
“Coming right up.” I set them on the counter. “Do y’all want coffee?”
Delaney nodded. “I want a cup, but none for him.”
“I have to figure out how to sleep today so I can work tonight.”
“Go soak in the hot tub. It’s very relaxing.” I handed Delaney a to-go cup. “Then you’ll be able to sleep.”
She pressed a kiss to Eli’s cheek. “Maybe I should open late and come join you.”
“No hanky-panky in my hot tub. Get your own if you want to do that.” I laughed as Eli spun around and walked right out the door.
“The two of you crack me up. Y’all are more like siblings than cousins.” Delaney took a bite of a doughnut and gasped. “This is amazing.”
“I’m glad you like it. Garrett inspired the new flavors.”
“Interesting. Since you didn’t argue with Eli, I’m guessing he’s right. And I want to hear all about it. You free tonight?”
“I’d love to get together. Text me.” I ran around the counter and hugged her. “And I want to hear about your week. But only parts of it.”
She grabbed the other doughnut. “Noted. I’m off to the store . . . to order myself a few new things.”
I covered my ears. “Don’t want to hear it.”
Laughing, Delaney waved over her shoulder as she strolled out. “I like the chocolate chip flavor best.”
I watched as Delaney settled herself in the hot tub. “It’s perfect, isn’t it? I’m in love.”
“With him or with the hot tub?” Delaney splashed me.
“Yes.”
She waved her hands. Start at the beginning. “Eli and I left the reception, and . . .”
“And Garrett asked if I wanted to talk in the hot tub after he finished up with ranch chores. I told him no because I wanted time to think.”
“Tessa! That poor man.”
“Yeah. And then I snuck away to the shop and made doughnuts all night. With my phone off. I knew the gist of what I wanted to say to him, but I wanted it to be more than words. I wanted to show him like he’d shown me.”
Her eyes widened.
“Garrett pounded on the door at three in the morning. I felt bad that I’d worried him, but his coming after me in the middle of the night was just another confirmation that he’s what I want.” I smiled as a figure walked around the privacy screen.
“Knock, knock. Garrett’s wine delivery service.” He tipped his hat. “I’m not going to crash your party, but I thought y’all might be thirsty.”
“See what I mean. He’s perfect.”
Garrett winked as he handed me a mug. “Holler if you need anything else. I can’t promise I’ll be awake more than five minutes after sitting down, but you can try.” He blew me a kiss before strolling away, whistling as he went.
“I’m so happy for you.” Delaney sipped her wine. “And this is the part where I get to say I told you so. Garrett completely swept you off your feet.”
“Yep. And it all started with dragging him to my car. Not exactly the typical once upon a time.”