After a month of having help, I wondered how I had ever run the shop alone.
I parked outside the main house at the ranch and carried bags of doughnuts into the dining hall. The ranch hands had agreed to taste test for me. And I knew they’d be honest about it.
After unloading the bags, I opened the boxes in the middle of the table. “All right, guys. Thank you so much for doing this. Since Layla is helping me run the counter, I’ve had time to train my new hire. She’s kind of a natural when it comes to making doughnuts, but this is the real test. She made all the doughnuts in two of these boxes, And I made all the doughnuts in the other two. Taste test away.”
The ranch hands and Mason all grabbed doughnuts.
“Make sure you know which is which.” I folded my arms, waiting rather impatiently for the verdict.
Still chewing, Archer nodded. “They’re good.”
“Good?” I needed more than that.
“They taste the same.” He picked up another one. “And whoever it is that makes doughnuts as good as you, I want to meet her.”
“That can be arranged.” I could give Cami another matchmaking project. “She’s new in town, so I’m sure she’d love to meet new people.”
Parker nudged Archer. “Hear that? She’d love to meet you.”
“Hey, tag-along, leave Archer alone.” I tossed a wadded-up napkin at Parker. “Be nice.”
He feigned shock. “I’m always nice. Ask Mason. Right?”
With a doughnut in each hand and one in his mouth, the kid grinned and pointed at one of Lettie’s boxes. “I like those better. Who made those?”
Now I was satisfied. If I went on vacation, my customers would still get the doughnuts they loved.
Garrett hung his hat on the hook as he walked into the dining room. “Verdict?”
I scanned the group. “Everyone agree?”
Dag gave a thumbs up. “They’re all great. I agree with Archer that they taste the same.”
One at a time, they all said the same thing . . . except Mason. “Those are better . . . because I found a sprinkle in that box. And I like sprinkles.”
“I cannot argue with that logic.” Garrett tousled the kid’s hair. “Sounds like success to me.”
“Me too.” I picked up a doughnut out of Lettie’s box. “These are great!”
“Of course they are.” Garrett picked up a doughnut and took a bite. “You made this one, I think. Am I right?”
I shook my head, then kissed his cheek. “And I’m thrilled you can’t tell.”
“Whew. Want to take a drive with me?”
“Lead the way, cowboy.” I motioned to the boxes. “Enjoy, but don’t let Mason have too many more. He might explode.”
Parker laughed. “I’m pretty sure he’s had more than two. Isn’t that what your dad said was the limit?”
“Three is close to two. I just lost count.” Mason licked his fingers. “They’re really good.”
Garrett laced his fingers with mine, and it dawned on me that I hadn’t seen him shove his hands in his pockets once since that night at my shop.
“You used to have your hands in your pockets when you were around me. Now you don’t.”
“I don’t now because I’m usually holding your hand. I did then because I wanted to hold your hand.”
I kissed him before buckling my seat belt. “Mom called. She wants us to come for dinner.”
“Tonight?”
“Tomorrow. Are you free? If you don’t want to go, I understand. I’ll try to schedule it for a different day, or maybe just go by myself.”
He squeezed my hand. “Tomorrow night is fine. I’ll let Dad and Clint know.”
We turned out of the ranch and drove toward the goat farm, but he continued past Joji’s gate. A half mile past her place, he turned left and punched a code into a small box.
A large gate swung open, and Garrett shot me a side glance as he pulled through onto what looked like a new gravel road. “It’ll be paved, but we can get up there in the truck now.”
“The hilltop?”
“After talking to Dad and getting feedback on cost and possibilities, I decided that up there was the perfect place to build.”
He didn’t add ‘our home’ to the end of his sentence, but I heard it just the same.
As soon as he stopped rolling, I jumped out. “I love it. It reminds me of the rooftop.”
He slipped his arms around me. “It does. But it’ll take a while to build a house, so I’m trying to be patient. It’s not easy though.”
“You not patient? Whatever.” I rested my head against his chest. “This will be worth the wait.”
The shop was extra busy for a Tuesday morning. Lilith, Joji, and Ava had come in for an early sweet snack. Cami and Delaney sat at the table visiting with them even though Delaney’s store was supposed to open in twenty minutes.
When I had a free minute, I stopped at their table. “Can I get y’all anything else?”
“We’re good. Just enjoying the yummy doughnuts and conversation.” Joji smiled.
“Holler if you do. I’m going to make a fresh pot of coffee.”
It was a luxury to have someone manning the counter, and Layla did a great job interacting with customers.
The door opened, and I turned to offer a welcome. “Welcome to Sweets—Nico, hi!”
He waved, but his gaze was fixed on Layla. And Layla—who was never shy—flushed pink and looked down at the counter.
“Good morning.” He leaned down to catch her eye. “How are you today?”
“Really good. Thank you.” Her smile brightened as her gaze met his. “What can I get you?”
Clearly there was a story there, and once I had a chance to talk to Layla alone, I’d gather information. I was surprised they even knew each other.
When the door opened again, I gave up watching Nico and Layla and turned toward the door. “Garrett, this is a nice surprise.”
“I had a craving . . . for this.” He cupped my cheek and kissed me like he’d done a month ago in the middle of the night.
Grinning, I shot a glance at the table I knew was watching. “Wow.”
His fingers threaded with mine. “I know you’ve heard jokes about being the best girl, but of all the women in the world, you are most definitely the best one for me.” Still holding my hand, he dropped to one knee, and the hum of conversation halted as everyone watched in hushed silence. “Tessa Best, will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Henry? I could search the world over, and I’d never find anyone more right for me. I want to spend my life with you, to laugh with you, and even cry with you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” I launched toward him, nearly knocking the ring out of his hand.
But skilled as he was, he managed to hang onto it and still catch me.
Cheers broke out all over the room. I was too busy kissing Garrett to see the smiles at one table, but I knew those ladies were all happy for me and in on this surprise.
With me perched on his knee, he slid the ring on my finger. “If you aren’t busy right now, I’d like to go to the courthouse.”
“Let me grab my purse.” I started to get up, then turned and kissed him again. “I said yes already, didn’t I?”
“You did, and everyone here heard you.”
Laughter echoed off the walls.
Layla handed me my purse. “I’ve got this place covered. Have fun.”
Garrett smiled all the way to his truck. “I’m hoping we can convince a judge to waive the three-day wait. Because dinner with your parents has been moved to the dining hall, and I booked the house in San Antonio for the next five nights.”
“The house?”
“Yep. I’ve been waiting until you didn’t have to close the shop to have a getaway. But if we can’t get a waiver, the guy handling reservations said he’d make an exception and let me shift the dates.” Garrett parked in front of the courthouse.
There were benefits to living in a small town. It didn’t take us long to drive here, the judge knew the Henry family, and we walked out of the courthouse with a marriage license and a waiver.
By the time we pulled away from the courthouse, everyone in the county had probably heard that Garrett and I were engaged.