“Nope. And for the record—your kiss did bowl me over.” She scooted closer, and his eyebrows rose. “Your niece also just passed on some astute wisdom. She said flowers aren’t the same as family, that love is better than lonesome . . . and that maybe the three of us should make a happy place together.”
“She’s a smart kid.”
“Yes, she is.”
“Are you telling me you agree with her?” His tone was cautious.
“Yes.” She watched an ember spark to life in the depths of his cobalt irises. “But while I agree with you that words are important, I do think they have to be backed up by action. Like this.” Jeannette leaned close and pressed her lips to his.
He was all in the instant he got over his shock, pulling her tight against his solid chest, one hand cupping her head.
Somewhere in the background, above the sound of the breaking surf and the caw of the gulls, she heard Toby’s happy yip of approval and Molly’s giggle.
But her focus was on the man expressing his pleasure at her decision in a most delightful fashion.
And Jeannette held nothing back as she responded to his kiss.
It was possible, of course, that somewhere along the way their paths would diverge. That her instincts could be wrong, and Logan and she weren’t destined to create the happy place together that Molly had mentioned.
Yet in the waning light of day, as the setting sun painted a glorious canvas on the western horizon, she was as certain as she could be that someday down the road, she’d look back at this moment with sweet remembrance as the start of something big.
Epilogue
“Sorry to leave?”
As her new husband crossed to the sliding door of their Kauai beach cottage, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and bent to nuzzle her neck, Jeannette sighed. “Yes—and if you keep that up, we’ll miss our plane.” She shimmied against him.
“You keep that up, I guarantee we’ll miss it.” His response came out in a low growl, suggesting he was only half kidding.
“In that case, I better stop—or we’ll have to forego phase two of our honeymoon.”
He groaned. “I’m not sure how I let you talk me into that plan.”
“Like you said that night on the beach in May, you’re a package deal—and I don’t want Molly to feel excluded right at the beginning of our new life together.”
“I think I’m regretting that comment.”
“That’s your hormones talking.”
He went back to nuzzling her neck. “Guilty as charged.”
“Hey—Disneyland will be fun. Think of it as an extended honeymoon.”
“With a five-year-old in tow?” He lifted his head and gave her a get-real look.
“Oh, I have a few ideas that could stimulate some romance. And since you splurged and booked us a two-bedroom suite, we’ll have plenty of alone time after Molly goes to sleep—which should be early after a full day at the park.”
He gave her a slow smile. “I like how you think, Mrs. West. Still . . . Disneyland won’t compare to this.” He swept a hand over the palm trees and blue horizon that dominated their view.
“I know. It’s hard to believe this is the same ocean we see at home every day, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” He shifted next to her, draping an arm around her shoulders. “Just shows how a different perspective can alter your view of the world.”
That was true—about many things.
Including love.
And in every case so far since she’d taken a leap of faith and dismantled the barricades around her heart, the view had been better.
“The current landscape is hard to beat.” She leaned against his solid strength.
“True. Sunny skies, tropical foliage, and warm sand between your toes aren’t too shabby on a December day.” He stole another kiss.
“I was speaking more broadly. Like the landscape of my life.”
“The landscape of my life has improved too. And this past week has been—” His voice rasped, and he traced the line of her jaw with a finger that didn’t feel quite steady, all traces of levity gone. “Being here alone with you has given me a glimpse of paradise.”
Jeannette’s vision misted, and she turned into his arms, resting her hands on his chest as she regarded him, this man who’d brightened her world with his kindness and understanding and integrity and trustworthiness. Who wasn’t afraid to show—and tell—her how he felt. “Thank you for saying that.”
“I meant every word.”
“I know you did—and I feel the same.”
He fingered a lock of her hair as two faint creases appeared on his brow. “You’ve made a huge number of changes because of me, though. You know I would have been happy to sell my place and move into your house. You didn’t have to upend that part of your life too.”
“I wanted to. I like the idea of putting some physical distance between my business and personal life—and the Shabos were thrilled to rent the house. Plus, now that we’ve cut a walkway through the hedge, Molly and Elisa can go back and forth whenever they want. What’s better than having your best friend live next door?”
“Having her live in the same house.” His eyes softened as he leaned close to brush his lips over her forehead.
Her heart melted as she leaned into the kiss—which quickly intensified.
Hmm.
At this rate, they might miss their plane.
One of them should put the brakes on, but—
A knock sounded on the door.
Logan ignored it.
When the interloper rapped again, however, he eased back. “It’s probably the porter, come to get our bags.” He was close enough for his words to leave a whisper of warmth on her skin.
“We better answer.”
“Yeah.”
After a few beats, he released her. “I’ll take care of this. Meet me on the lanai for one last moment with our beautiful view?”
“And maybe one last Hawaiian kiss?”
“That could be arranged.”
She watched him walk to the door, then slipped outside, where the sweet scent of plumeria perfumed the air.
Leaving this magical place would be hard.
But as she waited for the man who’d banished the shadows from her life, she smiled.
Anywhere would be magic with him.
And no matter what tomorrow held, she had today—and the abiding love she’d found with Logan was a blessing that would sustain her all the days of her life.
Logan tipped the porter, accepted the man’s best wishes on his marriage, and closed the door so he could rejoin his wife.
Wife.
The corners of his mouth lifted.
It was still hard to believe.
But there was plenty of proof it was true. A marriage certificate. Wedding photos. An amazing honeymoon. And a large number of witnesses. Half the town of Hope Harbor had shown up at Grace Christian to watch them exchange vows.
Thank goodness he’d had the foresight to build optional unpaid leave into his contract with the urgent care center. He hadn’t needed it for Molly, as he’d half expected, but it had definitely come in handy for a two-week honeymoon a mere seven months into his tenure.