Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Chris clapped me on the shoulder. “We did good. This looks great.”
“It does. I feel like I’m leaving a lot of work for Maggie to put things back in cupboards, though.”
He shook his head. “Nope. The girls are right—she’ll want to pick where things go. I’ll come help when she decides.” He nudged me in the ribs. “She’s gonna be busy with the thank-yous for a bit.”
I shook my head even as I bit back my grin. I had missed her terribly. I missed the sound of her voice, her teasing laughter, and the way she nestled into me at night. I missed making love to her before going to sleep, and waking up without her beside me felt lonely and odd. I wanted her home.
“You’re so going to marry this girl, aren’t you?”
“Yep.”
“You plan on staying here? No more wanderlust or chasing a music career?”
I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. “Maggie asked me the same thing one day. I had that, Chris. I lived in a big city, surrounded by people and things. I was invisible—I wasn’t happy. I loved playing music, but all the BS that went along with it? Hated it. Here, people wave and know my name. I can breathe. I feel welcome. And what we’re doing? Our construction business? Some people, like my father, would find it beneath them—considering it grunt labor. But I like it. I get to work with my best friend every day.”
He grinned widely at my words. “I know. I’m pretty great.”
I chuckled, then became serious. “I get to play my music, so I still have it. I have everything I never knew I was searching for right here. Most importantly, I have Maggie. Wherever she is, is where I will be. For the rest of my life, I want to be with her.” I blew out a long breath, trying to find the right words. “I feel as if I’ve come home now. She is my home.” I shook my head. “It’s been a long time since I felt that way.”
“I get that.”
“We can build a life here. A simple one to some people, but to me, it’s exactly what I want.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“How’s it going with the fair Mandy?”
“Slow.” He smiled, but his eyes were soft. “But she is going to be worth it—I can tell.”
“Then I guess we’re set.”
“Yep.”
He waved as he left, hurrying back to Eleanor and Patrick’s. He and Patrick were planning on surprising her with dinner for when she got home. The two of them loved to use the outdoor grill as much as possible.
I smiled, thinking about the conversation. I had a wonderful life here. Maggie made it wonderful. And I hoped what I had done in her house—our house—made her happy.
Headlights flashed across the window, and I stood from my chair.
I guessed it was time to find out.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SEBASTIAN
Maggie never made it past the steps before I had the door flung open and her wrapped in my arms. I held her tight, dropping my face to her neck, breathing in her scent. She huffed out a long exhale of air, her body relaxing into my embrace. I bent and grabbed the small bag she had dropped, stepped back into the house, kicking the door shut behind me. My lips sought hers, and I kissed her deeply. Moments passed as I savored the feel of her mouth under my lips.
“Fuck, Angel, I missed you,” I groaned.
She smiled up at me, her eyes wide, face beaming. “If that’s how you are going to greet me, I may have to go away more often.”
“No. No more trips for a while. I missed you too much.”
Reaching up, she stroked my cheek with her fingers. “Okay. I missed you too.”
“Yeah?”
“Very much.”
“But you had a good time with Eleanor?”
“I did. It was amazing.”
“I don’t see any bags.”
“They’re all in her trunk. We have to sort it out tomorrow, and I’ll bring my stuff home then.” Color collected under her skin, and she smiled shyly. “I think she knew how anxious I was to see you.”
“Smart woman.”
“Did you get everything done while I was gone? You didn’t work all weekend, did you? Did you eat?”
I set her down with a grin. Her need to look after me was still so new and amazing.
“Yes.”
“Your customers were all happy?”
I sucked in a deep breath. “Well, you’ll have to tell me.”
“What?”
I held out my hand, nerves kicking in. It was showtime. “Come with me.”
I didn’t know what I expected when Maggie saw what I had done. I’d hoped she would like it. I wanted to see the joy on her face when she saw her new kitchen.
What I didn’t expect were the tears.
She stood in the middle of the room, her hand over her mouth as she turned in a circle, not making a sound. She did that twice, then walked over to the new counters, ran a finger along the smooth surface, reached up, opening a cupboard door, letting it close on its own.