Winter nights in the village were magical. “I’m so happy I moved here.” With her wool gloves, thick, soft scarf wrapped around her neck, and puffy parka, Della skated alongside Micky on the rink. She’d been so wrong about being a third wheel in her friend’s life. This woman would always be her family.
“Me, too.” Cheeks red from the cold, Micky kept her eye on her stepdaughter, skating just ahead with Rhys. They’d left the newborn at home with her grandmother.
Strands of white lights wove around wrought iron lamp posts, wreaths hung off the doors of all the charming boutiques, and horses clopped by on the cobblestone streets hauling festive carriages. Wild Wolff Village felt like living in a storybook.
Best of all, she got to live here with the love of her life.
As Christmas music played, groups of teenagers, families, and sweethearts glided around the rink. Her heart squeezed because Bex wouldn’t be home for another week.
After holing up in their Wild Wolff Village home for the past five months to write songs, he’d sent a demo to his old A&R rep at the label. It wasn’t the right sound for her, but she’d passed it along to a colleague who was absolutely blown away.
He’d be home as soon as he finished up his meetings in New York, and then they’d spend their first holiday together.
Bliss.
All at once, Micky’s stepdaughter stopped skating and looked up at her dad. As he bent over to talk to her, Addi pointed to the clock tower. He nodded, and the little girl pulled something out of her coat pocket and skated over to Della. With glittering eyes, she said, “I have something for you, Auntie Della.”
“For me?” Christmas wasn’t for another three weeks, so she had no idea what it could be. But she happily took the pale pink envelope.
“It’s a scavenger hunt.”
“Oh. Okay. That sounds fun.” The four of them glided to the side of the rink where she unfolded the pretty stationary and read the first line. “I almost bought a house, thinking it was a home.” Recognizing the writing, she looked at them. “Is this from Bex?”
Addi nodded vigorously.
“He arranged this for me?” A low hum of excitement kicked up in her belly. He was the sweetest, most thoughtful man. No matter how busy they both were—him in the studio, and her doing schoolwork—he always made time for her. He was the best at coming up with romantic things for them to do.
She just loved him so much. She missed sleeping in his arms, cooking meals together, and curling up on the couch where they’d talk about any random thing that entered their minds.
Addi tugged on the hem of Della’s coat. “Read the whole thing. It’s a poem.”
She was a little anxious because she wasn’t sure where it would lead. Was there a cute present waiting for her at the end? Could it be her dad, coming early to spend the holidays with them? Chill out and just go with it. “I almost bought a house, thinking it was a home. I could picture myself at the table, daisies in a glass jar, a mug of coffee in my hands.” Confused, Della looked up at them. “That’s it? I’m not sure he knows how a scavenger hunt works.”
Everyone burst out laughing, and Addi pointed to the espresso kiosk. “Coffee, Auntie Della.” She clapped her hands. “Go, go.”
Hugging the notecard to her chest, she laughed as she made her way off the ice. “Are you guys coming with me?”
“Nope,” Micky said. “This hunt’s all yours.”
Sitting down on a bench, Della removed her skates, put on her boots, and headed for the kiosk.
Even before she arrived, an older man in a red and green apron stepped out and handed her a paper cup. “You must be Della.” He pulled an envelope out of the apron pocket. “And this is your second clue.”
“Oh, my goodness, this is crazy.”
As he stepped behind the counter, he said, “In the very best way.”
Della took a sip of the creamy, warm cocoa and headed away from the crowd to read the note in private. But first, she couldn’t help pulling out her phone and calling Bex. Unfortunately, it went right to voicemail. “I don’t even know what time it is.” She glanced at the big clock in the center of the square. “Oh, it’s only nine in New York. I guess you’re out to dinner? All right, you nut, so I’m in the middle of this scavenger hunt, and I’m drinking my cocoa, and everything is perfect…except you’re not here.” She lowered her voice. “I know it’s only been a week. I know I’ve lived without you for twenty-six years, but my God, Bex, I notice every single second that we’re not together. I miss you.” She sighed. “Deep in my bones. Like a piece of my soul is missing when you’re not with me.” Which, of course, was why he’d created the hunt. To keep her close to him. “But okay, whatever. I’m going to read my next clue now.” She took another sip, not wanting to disconnect from him. “I love you. I love you so, so, so much. Call me when you get back to your room.” Setting the cocoa down on a brick wall, she pulled the card out of the envelope.
I almost bought a house, thinking it was a home.
I pictured myself at the table, daisies in a glass jar, a mug of coffee in my hands.
The lawn freshly mowed, and the fence painted white.
And yet this feeling…this feeling follows me everywhere. I’m alone.
Inside the house, I’m alone, and I’m restless. And there’s no song I want to play.
There’s no show I want to watch. There’s no sound I want to hear.
It’s like a Christmas tree, all lit up, the limbs heavy with ornaments.
And no gifts under the tree. No cat napping on the rug.
That’s it? It just ends like that? She read it again, looking for clues. And the only thing that stood out was the Christmas tree. Micky’s house had one, but she didn’t think he’d want her to go there.
Was there a tree lot nearby?
No, the hunt would be limited to this area. She turned around to take in the village, her gaze falling on the impressive lodge-like resort. Inside, the lobby held a massive Christmas tree.
She grinned and struck off to find her next clue.
The moment she entered the hotel, she saw it. How could she not? Her name was spelled out in blinking red lights. Hurrying across the gleaming hardwood floor, she pulled out her phone and called Bex again. “You’re unbelievable. How did you get them to do this?” Hanging off a hook was another pink envelope. “Ah, the benefits of dating a rock star.” She laughed. “I’m going to read the next clue now, so can you just call me, for God’s sake?”
I almost bought a house, thinking it was a home.
I could picture myself at the table, daisies in a glass jar, a mug of coffee in my hands.
The lawn freshly mowed, and the fence painted white.
And yet this feeling…this feeling follows me everywhere. I’m alone.
Inside the house, I’m alone, and I’m restless. And there’s no song I want to play.
There’s no show I want to watch. There’s no sound I want to hear.
It’s like a Christmas tree, all lit up, the limbs heavy with ornament.
And no gifts under the tree. No cat curled up on the rug.
I almost bought a house, thinking it was a home.
And then I met you. And it happened. I found what I was looking for.
Your arms are the walls, and your smile is the jar of daisies.
The universe is in your eyes, perfect and complete.
My home is with you.
Your heart is my home.
“Oh, my God,” she whispered, heart bursting with love. Blinking back tears, she had to read the last section again because she had no idea where to go next. Was home a clue? No, he said I’m his home. So, he didn’t mean the house they lived in. Then, it must be the universe.
She scanned the lobby and found the concierge at his desk, grinning at her. She pointed the card at him. “You’re the one who set up those lights?”
“Guilty.” Getting up, he chuckled. “I’m Mauricio.” He held out his hand. “And you’re the lovely Della.”
“Thank you for doing this. It’s blowing my mind.”
“Do you know where to go next?”
“I have no idea. But he said universe, so I’m wondering if there’s rooftop access here?”
“Indeed, there is. That’s where we view the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve fireworks.”
“Ah, okay. So maybe that’s where he wants me to go next…?”
Fighting a grin, Mauricio clamped his lips shut.
“I mean…” She read the last stanza again. My arms, my smile, jar of daisies. “It has to be the universe, but it’s not like there’s an observatory in the village.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“Wait, there is?”
“It’s small, but because the village sits against the mountains, we have the very best viewing in the valley. It’s on the penthouse level.” He reached for a keycard on the desk. “Enjoy.”
“It’s open?”
“Normally, it’s only open on Wednesday and Sunday nights.”
Her spirits plummeted. “Then, I don’t understand.”
“We’ve made an exception for you.”
“Thank you so much.” Breathless, she found herself racing toward the elevators. What had Bex planned for her in an observatory? She didn’t know about cell service in an elevator, but she shot him a text.
Della: What is happening right now? I’m heading up to the observatory.
Della: I miss you so much, and I love you love you love you.
Della: Also, I’m sorry for saying you don’t know how to do scavenger hunts. You rock at them!
Slipping her phone into her coat pocket, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirrored walls. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled. Her heart clutched with love for this man. How did I get so damn lucky?
The elevator landed, the doors parted, and she stepped into a quiet hallway. An arrow on the sign in front of her pointed left for the observatory.
Excitement danced under her skin like champagne bubbles. No one was around, but the door to the observatory was ajar. She stepped inside. “Hello?” It was a small space with a domed ceiling. About a hundred seats made a semi-circle around an enormous telescope.
The door closed behind her, and she whipped around. “Hello? Hey, I’m in here.”
But then a single light blinked on like a star in a night sky. One after another, bulbs lit on the ceiling, and then she sat down when she realized the stars spelled out the word Will. “What is happening right now?”
More lights flicked on in rapid succession. You.
Marry.
“Oh, my God.” She popped out of her seat, looking around. “Bex?”
Me.
“Yes. Are you freaking kidding me?” And then out of the corner of her eye she caught movement. She turned to the end of the aisle to find Bex on bended knee. She screamed and raced toward him.
He stood in time to catch her around the waist, hugging her so tightly he lifted her off her feet. “Della.” Her name came out on a rush of breath loaded with relief.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.”
His hand cupped the back of her head. “You’re gonna marry me?”
“Yes. Oh, my God, yes. I love you.”
He kissed her, a hungry claiming of her mouth. “I love you so much.”
Setting her down, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a red velvet box. Flipping it open, he presented her with the most stunning ring she’d ever seen. Four emerald-cut rubies surrounded the fifth and largest gem in the center. It was a showstopper.
With both their hands shaking, he had a hard time slipping it on her finger. Her heart beat like hummingbird wings in her chest.
She took in the stars, the ring, and him. “Bexley Sinclair, you are my soulmate. I’ve never been happier in my entire life.”
“Until I met you, I didn’t know what happiness was.” His voice was filled with marvel. “I didn’t know life could be like this. I almost settled for ordinary because I didn’t know it could be spectacular. Della, I want to marry you and love you and make babies with you and sleep beside you and fuck you and laugh with you and fight with you—I want it all. Every single thing, I want it with you.”
“I can’t believe this is happening. This whole night is magical. Best proposal ever.” She threw herself into his arms. “I’m going to miss you so much when you’re on tour.”
“You don’t have to miss me. Can’t you do your schoolwork and write lyrics on the bus?”
“I can totally do that. I want to do it.”
“You and me, whatever we do, we’re doing it together. Because…you’re my home.”
Thank you for reading ANYWHERE WITH YOU! If you love a grumpy, tatted hockey player and want to see him fall head over heels in love with the spoiled princess he’s forced to live with for a month, you’re going to love THE DEEPER I FALL!
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