Lauren’s eyes glistened. “Yes.” It seemed like she wanted to say more, but she stopped, her eyes dancing around as they studied his face.
“Why? Why go to the effort of all that?”
One corner of her mouth ticked up, and she shrugged. “I just wanted you to know that I care about you and that I want things to work out for you and the lodge. I know it was a huge risk, but you’ve come so far. And I’d hoped you would forgive me for missing dinner the other night.”
Walker reached up and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “And I hope you’ll forgive me for being a jerk that night…and on Friday. I should have let you explain. I was just worried you were leaving before everything happened, that you realized you couldn’t work here or something.”
Lauren’s full smile returned. “Are you kidding? This is the place I feel fulfilled and like my job actually matters.”
Walker took a step forward, taking in a breath as he did so. He opened his mouth to reply, but someone called out, “One hour to opening!” and several of the staff hurried around them.
Reaching down, he took Lauren’s hand, leading her out to the back porch. It was chilly, but he didn’t have much time and knew that if he waited, he’d never get this out.
“I’m sorry about everything, Lauren. I love you, and I’m sorry I hurt you. Will you please forgive me?” He met her gaze and felt as if fireworks had been set off in his heart.
“You love me?” she asked, blinking several times.
Panic spread across his chest. From the surprise on her face, she was either surprised by his admission or trying her best to find a way to turn him down.
Looking down at their joined hands, Walker nodded before looking up again. “Yes. There is so much good to you, and thinking you were moving back to Fort Collins crushed me. I thought I’d lost you.”
Lauren let go of his hand and lifted her arms behind his neck. She leaned forward and whispered, “I love you too. I always have.”
Walker paused, hoping he hadn’t just imagined the words. When she leaned back enough for him to see her face, he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers softly. The sensations he’d always felt when he touched her seemed magnified, like electricity finding conducive material. He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her to him, enjoying the warmth of her lips against the cold wind.
When they finally broke apart, he leaned his forehead against hers. “I have to get back to the kitchen. You don’t have to leave early tonight, do you?”
She shook her head. “I’m all yours. Let me help out in the kitchen.”
“Why don’t you make Preston hang all the frames? That can be his payback for keeping me out in the cold so long.”
Lauren smiled, reached up, and gave him a peck on the lips before turning and heading back inside. Whatever he’d done to deserve a girl like her, Walker didn’t know. But the excitement of a future together was something he looked forward to more than ever.
Epilogue
Two weeks later, the lodge and restaurant were booked nearly every night. Lauren had created several systems and had worked with an online tech guy to get as much automated on the website as possible, which helped cut down on all the extra phone calls and work she had to do.
Walker had been getting great reviews for his cooking, and while he loved it, he’d still reached out to a few other chefs who would be able to start after the first of the year, allowing him to take a few nights off here and there.
They’d gone up the mountain the weekend after opening and cut down the perfect Christmas tree for the great room.
Lauren sat on the couch across from it, mesmerized by the twinkling lights and beautiful decorations. It was Christmas Eve, and with the McBride family party over for the night, she’d stayed to hang out at the lodge for a bit before heading home.
“Your hot chocolate, m’lady,” Walker said, coming up behind her.
She grinned, grateful for this change in her life. If only she’d known how much real love could change her world, she would have given up on Cory after the first month of dating.
Walker sat down and snuggled next to her, draping his arm over her shoulders. She took the warm mug and sipped at the chocolate, savoring the perfect amount of flavor.
“I don’t know how you make this so well every time, but I’ll never get sick of it.” She beamed up at him and blew a little into the cup, hoping not to burn her taste buds.
“Secret family recipe.” Walker winked.
They sat in silence for several moments, and she relished this picture-perfect moment. She knew there were bound to be ups and downs in their relationship, but she was content in that moment, just basking in the warmth of the wood stove and the Christmas lights.
“Did you have fun at the party?” Lauren could feel Walker’s deep voice rumble against her cheek as he said it.
She sat up a bit. “I loved it. Your brothers crack me up with their acting skills.” She recalled the scene from one of the guessing games they’d played with his family. The twins’ gestures were always over the top, but it worked, helping their team win.
“They definitely keep life interesting. Do you want one of your presents early?” he asked, trying to keep back a grin.
“One? I thought we weren’t doing gifts, Walker McBride.” She tried to make her voice sound frustrated, but she couldn’t stay mad at him long with the cockeyed smile he was flashing her now.
“I never really agreed to that,” he said, chuckling.
Rolling her eyes, Lauren shook her head. What was she going to do with him?
Walker stood and walked toward the Christmas tree. She watched as he searched several sections of the tree and then found what he wanted. With his hands behind his back, he took a few steps toward her.
“Close your eyes.”
Lauren listened and closed her eyes, holding out her hands. He set something on her palm, light and square.
“Can I open them now?”
“Yes.” The word came out more as a whisper, and when she opened her eyes, he was kneeling in front of her, looking at the present like it might explode.
She unwrapped it to reveal a velvet box. She gasped, doing her best to keep her heart rate down as her mind raced. Was this what she thought it was?
Opening the lid, there sat a perfect round diamond in a silver band. She glanced up at Walker, placing her hand over her mouth.
“Lauren Michelle Burke, I know we haven’t been dating long, but with knowing you my whole life and after all the time we’ve spent together, I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. Would you be my wife?”
Tears formed in the corners of her eyes, and she shifted forward to wrap her arms around his neck. “Yes!” She leaned down and kissed him, feeling as though she might fly from all the excitement bubbling up within her.
As they pulled back, she grinned.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“I don’t know how many times I wrote Lauren McBride on my notebooks in school, dreaming of a day like this. You’ve made my dreams come true, Walker.”
“And I don’t want to ever be without you, Lauren.”
She pulled him back onto the couch and kissed him, grateful for the broken, mixed-up road it had taken to get here.
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About the Author
Britney Mills was born in Utah but parts of her heart lie in Boston, Washington D.C. and Germany. Her love of writing began with the third grade book her teacher assigned her to write and she spent hours hidden behind her mother's couch writing pages and pages about knights and castles. Now she writes about romance. Go figure.
When she's not mothering her four small children, writing or reading, she's probably out playing a sport, going on a hike, or binge watching a murder mystery series. The way to her heart is through homemade chocolate
chip cookies and five minutes peace.
Also by Britney M. Mills
International Billionaire Series
The Australian Billionaire
The French Billionaire
The British Billionaire
The Vegas Billionaire
The Italian Billionaire
Love Austen Series
Love, Austen
Austen, Party of Two
Austen Unscripted
Matched, Austen
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