“You didn’t let the coffee cake burn, did you?”
Mandy jerked back and whirled to face Angel, who watched them with a smile as big and bright as the Star of the East.
Cart’s arm came around Mandy’s waist and snugged her up against him. He didn’t pretend they weren’t doing exactly what they were doing.
Instead he said, “I think I’ve convinced Mandy to stay. I kissed her until she was putty in my hands.”
Shocked, she whipped her head around, and he smiled so wide a dimple popped at the corner of his mouth. His other arm came around her and he hoisted her right off the floor and swung her around in a circle. It was the same way he’d said hello.
And that smile! She hadn’t seen it since that moment when she’d walked in the door.
That first day, for one perfect moment, he’d been honestly and fully delighted to see her and he’d given her this smile. The one she remembered from when they were kids.
And then she’d talked about closing the inn and even though he’d smiled since then, even had fun with her, he’d never been fully happy.
She laughed and flung her arms around his neck.
Angel clapped her hands. “Are you really staying, Mandy? I have missed you so much.”
She flew at Mandy, her arms spread wide in her long, brightly colored shirt. It was like a Christmasy peacock swooping down on her. And then Mandy was in Angel’s arms. Held tight.
Cart’s arms came around them both. In his arms Mandy felt happiness, comfort, support and love. Most of all love
He kissed her on top of the head and the warmth swept all the way to her toes.
“And now, I’m going to take one of these pans of coffee cake and head over to my daughter’s house and give you two youngsters a chance to talk.”
Angel was gone so fast Mandy didn’t have time to offer to help.
Or to insist Angel didn’t need to leave.
Mandy feared there’d have been no conviction in her voice when she said it, because she really wanted time alone with Cart.
And a lifetime with him, too. Which reminded her, “I didn’t say it, because I didn’t get a chance, but I love you, too, Anthony Carter. I love you with all my heart.”
He bent and kissed her again. When he lifted his head, he said, “I’ve had an image of you and me for years; come here.”
He wrapped one arm around her waist and swept her out of the kitchen, through the dining room, across the foyer and into the parlor, which glowed with the embers of a waning fire and the bright twinkle lights of the Christmas tree. The room was over-decorated, in the best Victorian style, and there were ornaments and wall hangings, shining displays and precious Nativity sets, something on every surface.
It was the most beautiful room in the house. Cart stopped square in front of the fire, the Christmas tree right beside them, and turned her to face him.
He took both her hands and held them to his chest. “I’ve imagined you here.”
She brushed her fingertips through his thick, soft hair. “I know now that the real reason I never came home was because Dad said you were married. I just couldn’t stand to see you with someone else. And that was all buried under Dad not wanting me here. But that’s why I put up with it. Because it hurt too much to come home and see for myself. I think I’ve loved you all my life.”
“How would you like to hold a New Year’s Eve wedding right here at the Star? Right in front of this fireplace, with the tree lit up and the memories of all that your parents built surrounding us. Right in the same spot I proposed to you.”
The smile couldn’t be contained. “Is that what you’re doing?”
“I most certainly am.” Cart dropped to one knee, holding both her hands, and kissed her fingertips, slowly, for long moments.
Finally he raised his head and his eyes met hers. “Mandy Star, whatever your father did, I do know he loved you. And I know he wanted you to be happy. And if you will do me the great honor of being my wife, I will spend my life making sure you know how deeply and completely you are loved. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man who ever lived?”
She pulled her hands away from his and rested them on both sides of his face. Tilting his head up, him looking like a man begging, she leaned down and kissed him. She eased away just enough to speak. “Marrying you would be the answer to a thousand prayers. The answer to my most heartfelt dreams. I love you. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
She gave him a smile that got him to his feet. Looking up into his perfect blue eyes, she loved how much her life was about to change.
His smile dimmed a bit, not to sadness but to serious concerns. “You know I live out at the ranch. Will you be all right with just coming in here to run things?”
She smiled and kissed him again.
“It will give me just enough space from work that it will be perfect.”
“I heard Lorrie complaining about her apartment out by the high school. I know she’s not happy there, lots of noise and traffic day and night. She and her husband are newlyweds and aren’t settled there for long. You could see if she’d move into your rooms; then Angel wouldn’t have to handle late-night emergencies single-handedly.”
Nodding, Mandy said, “If she wants to live here that’ll be perfect. If not, we’ll figure out what we need to do all in good time, but it won’t stop me from moving out to the ranch.”
“We can decide all these details later. For right now, let me hold you in the lights and warmth.” His arms came around her and pulled her close, holding on to his future with both hands. “I had gotten used to the loneliness until it was almost an old friend—it was all I had left of you. But you in my arms is the best Christmas present of my life.”
She lifted on her toes and touched her lips to his.
The room was beautiful, but she only realized now that her true home wasn’t this inn; it was in his arms.
When the kiss ended, he drew her down to the Victorian love seat and sat with his arm around her as they watched the fire and talked of the future, planning, laughing, loving.
And through it all, he held her tight.