Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 132834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Less than three weeks later, I was walking up the makeshift aisle in the library to Finn, standing beside Nicky, both of them in tuxes, both of them beaming.
I never thought I’d have another chance at love. And more than that, I’d never dreamed I’d have a love like this. Finn took my hands as we faced each other and said our vows. Griffen barely got out the words, “You may kiss the bride,” before Finn pulled me close and kissed the life out of me.
I faintly heard Nicky say, “Oh, gross,” over August and Thatcher’s laughter. A giggle caught me, and I pulled my face back, framing Finn’s in my hands. “I love you, Finn Sawyer, and I’m so glad I’m your wife.”
He managed one more kiss, and we were dragged off for photographs, then our wedding dinner. Finn had cooked our wedding feast, but he wasn’t allowed to serve. This time, Finn and I were seated side by side at the head of the massive table, our family spread out down its long length. I couldn’t have imagined a more joyful wedding dinner than this one.
My mother glowed with happiness. She’d adjusted my veil just before I walked down the aisle, telling me, tears in her eyes, “Your father would be so proud of you. I wish he were here to see this.” I did too, but the wish wasn’t a sad one. Not that day. I was so happy, I couldn’t stop smiling. Nicky was running around, too excited to sit still.
The next morning, Finn and I left for the airport. I didn’t know where we were going, just that I needed a passport, and the weather would be roughly the same as it was in Sawyers Bend. I’d had to get the passport renewal expedited. I hadn’t left the country since before Nicky was born.
When we got to the airport, Finn still hadn’t let me see the tickets. It wasn’t until we got to the gate that I saw our destination.
“Paris! We’re going to Paris! I’ve never been to Paris. London once after college, but that was it. I’ve always wanted to go to Paris.”
“I know. Your mother told me. I have a friend who’s out of town for the month, and he lent us his place. It’s in a great spot. We can walk everywhere, and I can show you a Paris you’d never see with anyone else.”
And he had. He took me to his favorite restaurants, where he was greeted like a returning hero by his friends and former coworkers. Everyone had missed him. Everyone loved him and clearly respected the hell out of him, which made me happy on multiple fronts. Not only because he deserved it, but it was wonderful to get a glimpse into the life he’d led after he left Sawyers Bend all those years ago.
He brought me to see Chef Guérard, who cooked us an amazing dinner, Finn at his side, taking orders from his mentor with a meek compliance that had me staring in wonder. It was obvious how much he loved and respected the older man and how much Chef Guérard cared for Finn in return. At the end of our night together, he’d slapped Finn on the shoulder and said, “You’ve done well, mon fils. Come back and bring your new son. We will see what he can do in the kitchen, eh?”
One night toward the end of our trip, when the owner of a bistro stopped by our table to talk, he ended up offering Finn the head chef position at his new restaurant. I could tell by Finn’s response that it was an honor and a great opportunity. We both knew he couldn’t take it, not without jeopardizing his inheritance, but that wouldn’t be an issue forever.
“Are you sure about staying in Sawyers Bend?” I’d asked later when we were alone. “I don’t think I fully realized what you’d be giving up.”
Finn had smiled and kissed me on the tip of my nose. “Why? Did you suddenly decide you want to live in Paris?”
For a moment, pictures flashed through my head of me and Finn and Nicky living here, in a city I was coming to love. Then I shook my head. “Maybe someday,” I said. “For now, I’m too happy at Heartstone to think about leaving.”
“Me too,” Finn said. “And Laurent is a fun guy to have a drink with, but I’ve worked in his kitchen before. He’s a nightmare of a boss. Micromanaging everything and throwing fits when things don’t go his way. Been there, done that. I’d rather run the kitchens at Heartstone and plan events with my sisters. It doesn’t matter that they’re grown up. If they get annoying, I’ll just tickle them until they shut up.”
We’d laughed and put aside Laurent’s offer. Paris was wonderful, but it wasn’t home. We spent our honeymoon like that. Eating fabulous meals and laughing with Finn’s friends. We drank a lot of wine and went to bed early every night, sleeping late and making ample use of the privacy and the very comfortable bed.