Livvy’s throat went dry.
“Jolene is setting up a three-week book tour in January for me,” he said. “It’s been a few years since I’ve done one, and she thinks it will reconnect me to my readers. I’ll be going to all the major cities in the nation. My new book will be on preorder, and we’re depending on the preorder sales to make or break future book contracts.”
“I think that’s... great,” Livvy managed to say. “It sounds like a really smart marketing push.”
Mason rubbed at his chin and looked away from her. It felt as if there were a million miles between them instead of a few steps. When he met her gaze again, there was an intensity in his eyes that made Livvy wish she’d stayed seated.
“Here’s the thing, Livvy... I’m in love with you.” He exhaled, and all she could do was stare at him.
“We knew from the beginning that we were on different tracts in life,” he continued, “and I didn’t mean for things to get complicated. And I especially don’t want to hurt you. But the reality is that once this book tour is done, I’ll be writing the next book. Then the launch will come for my new book. The cycle is vicious, and I can’t keep hiding out here in Pine Valley, avoiding what I’ve been avoiding.”
Livvy wiped at the tears that had fallen onto her cheeks.
“I have a little more than a week left here,” he said. “I’m going to write the final chapters, read through the whole manuscript, then send it to Jolene. By then it will be time to return to San Diego and prepare for my book tour. It’s not fair to ask you to follow me around the country or to relocate to San Diego. Despite my feelings for you, I am new to all of this. I can’t guarantee anything, so it’s better to not make any promises in the first place.”
Livvy stepped back and sank onto the couch. She hated that she was crying, but she hated more that Mason’s honesty was breaking her heart. He was right... of course he was right. It wasn’t like he was going to propose marriage and sell his house, or ask her to find a librarian job in San Diego. No, they both had their own careers, their own lives. Their paths had just intersected at a strange time in Mason’s life.
She took a deep, steadying breath and looked up at Mason. His gaze was still on her. “I’m not asking for any promises, Mason,” she said, “if that’s what you’re worried about. And I know the risks as much as you do.” She rubbed her hands over her knees, trying to warm up the cold trembling. “I’m still trying to get used to the idea that I’ve fallen in love with a man who’s not a doctor.”
Mason reached her in three strides and tugged her to her feet. He crushed her against him, and she clung to him, feeling his heart beating as fast as hers.
“We’re both fools, then,” he whispered.
She laughed, although the tears had started again. He pressed his lips against her neck. She closed her eyes and let her senses become lost in the smell of him, the soft fabric of his shirt against her cheek, his warm arms encircling her.
She knew that if he asked, right now, for her to leave Pine Valley with him, she’d say yes. But that wasn’t what he was asking. She’d both seen and heard the hesitation, the uncertainty in his voice, the questions he had... She didn’t want him to ever regret his decisions. So she would wait. As long as it took.
“Livvy,” Mason murmured against her ear. “I’m going to miss you.”
Three Months Later
Livvy opened her mailbox, grateful that the snow was finally starting to melt. It had been a long winter—especially after Mason had left Pine Valley. She pulled out the padded envelope from the mailbox. Her eyes widened at the sight of Mason’s return address scrawled in the left corner of the envelope. By the weight of the package, she guessed it was his new book.
It wouldn’t come out until June, but he had said he’d send her an ARC—which she’d learned was an Advanced Reader’s Copy. ARCs went out to reviewers, journalists, bloggers, and select marketing contacts.
Livvy nearly skipped to the front door of her house. Thankfully Mallory was working the evening shift at the library, so Livvy had the house to herself. She set the package on the kitchen table, where the light from the late afternoon sun turned the tan envelope into a rectangle of gold.
She shed her jacket, then sat down and picked up the package. First she gazed at the handwriting. A small thrill ran through her as she thought of Mason penning her name, then writing out her address. She looked at the return address again. She’d sent a Christmas card to his San Diego address after he left Pine Valley. Then she’d sent a New Year’s card and a Valentine’s card.
Mason had thanked her for all of them, then had informed her that he wasn’t a card writer.
“That’s probably because you use up all your words in your books,” she told him.
Since Mason’s departure, Livvy had run into Slade a handful of times. She’d said hi but hadn’t left any room for conversation. He’d called on Christmas Day, which she’d ignored, and then again about two weeks later. She’d ignored that call, too.
With or without Mason in Pine Valley, Livvy had no desire to return to her former fantasy of becoming a doctor’s wife. She and Mason had talked on the phone almost every night. Sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for hours. He’d tell her about his grueling schedule, and she’d tell him her library adventures. He’d finally told her why he didn’t like turkey, and Livvy had never heard a more heartbreaking story. Once in a while he’d tell her about his current plot—those were the conversations she loved the most because she felt honored that he trusted her in such a way.
And always, at the end of every conversation, he’d say he missed her.
Livvy always held back her tears until she’d hung up the phone with him.
Now she turned the padded envelope over and opened the sealed flap. Mason had told her that the final cover wasn’t usually on the ARCs, so when she pulled out the book, she wasn’t surprised to see that the cover was a plain blue, with simply the title and author name.
Bruise
Mason Rowe
A well of warmth filled her chest. He’d done it. He’d finished his book. He’d broken through his block.
Livvy had no doubt she’d be up all night reading about Pilot. She opened the cover, careful not to open it too far since she didn’t want to crease any pages.
The title page was much the same. Then she turned to the next page.
The words in the middle of the page stopped her. She didn’t recall him putting in dedication pages before. But he’d added one this time.
For my favorite librarian.
Livvy laughed. Then she hugged the book against her chest and closed her eyes. She’d never felt so much joy and anguish in the same moment. Joy because she was so happy for Mason, and anguish because he was so far away. After a few moments, she wiped her tears, then she went and changed into comfy clothing to prepare for her reading binge. She fixed a bowl of trail mix and grabbed a water bottle, then continued into the living room, curled up on the couch, and began to read.
She wouldn’t be able to call and thank him until later tonight because he had some sort of library event, he’d said. Which was ironic because his agent had never approved him doing one at the Pine Valley Library.
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
She began to read.
Although Pilot was being put through the wringer, Livvy smiled as she read, remembering the plot points that Mason had discussed with her. It was as if he were whispering in her ear as she read. She could hear his voice, his turn of phrase, his likes and dislikes, his moods, his passions throughout the scenes.
Livvy hadn’t realized how much time had passed until she was forced to turn on lights. She moved about the living room, switching on lamps just as Mallory walked in the door.
“Hey, there’s some mail for you,” Mallory said.
“What?” Livvy frowned. “I already got the mail.”
Mallory handed over a business-sized envelope, and Livvy’s breath caught when she recognized the handwriti
ng. Mallory continued into the kitchen and started rummaging through the fridge.
Livvy didn’t move for a moment. The envelope had no stamp on it, yet it was from Mason. She closed her eyes, realizing that the padded envelope with the book hadn’t had any stamps on it either. Had... Mason come to Pine Valley?
She ripped open the envelope and withdrew a folded piece of paper. There were three lines written on it.
My new address:
582 Cedar Road
Pine Valley
Livvy let out a yelp.
“Are you okay?” Mallory came out of the kitchen.
“I—I’ve got to go.”
“What’s going on?” Mallory asked.
“I’m not sure, but I think everything is going to be fine.” She hugged a confused Mallory, then grabbed her keys from the hook by the door. Livvy hurried outside and jumped into her car, then she drove toward the Pine Valley ski resort, where the familiar address was located.
She tried her best to drive at a reasonable speed, and she forced herself to take steady, deep breaths so she wouldn’t hyperventilate. When she pulled up at the cabin that Mason had rented in the winter, she could hardly believe she was here again.
This had better not be some horrible joke.
She jumped out of the car and took deliberate steps along the walkway leading to the front door, when in fact she wanted to run.
She hadn’t been here since Mason had left; she couldn’t bear to drive by the place. Nothing looked disturbed and no lights shone from the windows. She took a deep breath and rang the doorbell instead of pounding on it like a crazed woman.
The chimes sounded from within, so stately and melodic.
Then the door opened.
And he was standing there.
Just like he had so many times before. His hair was shorter, his jaw clean-shaven, and he wasn’t wearing layers. His pale blue button-down shirt matched his eyes.
“How long have you been here?” she whispered.
“Three hours and twenty minutes,” he said in that low voice of his that was so much better in person. His eyes made a slow perusal of her, and she realized she was wearing her oldest yoga pants, with bleach stains, and a T-shirt with at least three holes in it. His mouth quirked. “I thought you’d never come.”
Livvy stepped through the doorway and into his arms. He drew her against him and buried his face into her hair. Livvy had so many questions, and her stomach was fluttering like mad, but all she could think of was that Mason was back. She didn’t know why or for how long, but right now she didn’t care.
“I got the book, but I guess I missed the letter,” Livvy said, drawing away, still not believing Mason was here in the flesh. She ran her hands over his shoulders just to be sure. “Mallory brought it in after work. And I guess I missed the fact that there was no postage on the package either.”
Mason’s blue eyes were intent on hers as he lifted his hand and ran his thumb along her jaw, then down her neck. His touch was like a trail of fire along her skin.
“I read the dedication,” Livvy said, her voice catching. “I never imagined that you’d dedicate the book to me.”
The edges of Mason’s lips curved just before he leaned down and kissed her oh-so-gently. “I think it was a given.” He reached past her and shut the open door, then he cradled her face with both hands. “I missed you like crazy.”
Then he was kissing her for real, and as his mouth explored hers, she thought she’d combust into a thousand tiny pins of light. He was real. More than real.
She skimmed her fingers up his chest, then along his neck at his open collar. His skin was warm and smooth, and his pulse was beating as fast as hers. “So . . .” Livvy breathed, when Mason allowed her to. “Are you renting this for another writing stint?”
Mason tucked her hair behind her ear, then let his hands linger on her shoulders. “I bought it.”
Livvy blinked. “What? How? I mean... I thought—”
He pressed a finger against her lips and scanned her face. “My beach house in San Diego sold for about twice what I expected.” He lowered his hands and grasped hers. “I had planned to get one of the condos that Jeff Finch had sent pictures of, but then I kept thinking about this cabin. And all the memories. And how it kind of felt like my cabin already, or our cabin. Jeff called the owner and made an offer, and we closed on it yesterday.”
Livvy couldn’t move, couldn’t speak.
“So unless you object, I’m here to stay in Pine Valley.”
She laughed. “I... I can’t believe it.”
Mason grinned. “Good, because I’m buying you something with all-wheel-drive, too. I don’t like you driving that little car up the canyon in the winter. Maybe a CRV or a 4Runner.”
Livvy’s mind couldn’t keep up. “You can’t buy me something like that. I mean, that would be a serious-girlfriend gift.”
Mason released her hands and set his hand on her waist. “I was thinking of it as more of a wife gift.”
“Mason,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “What are you saying?”
He kissed her forehead, and his clean scent seemed to encompass all the space around her.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about everything,” he said. “About you. About us. There’s nothing I want more in this world than to share everything I have with you. You already have my heart.”
Livvy blinked back her tears. “Well, if you’re asking me to marry you, then I kind of wish I would have at least gotten dressed for the occasion.”
Mason chuckled. “I don’t mind.” His gaze scanned her attire, and his mouth quirked, then he pressed a kiss just below her jaw, lingering. When he lifted his head, he whispered. “Marry me, Livvy Harmon. Be my happily ever after.”
She stared into his blue eyes and saw the man she had missed so deeply and loved so completely. She’d known her answer for months. “Yes, Mason Rowe. I will marry you.”
As Mason drew her into a long, slow kiss, Livvy knew that she wouldn’t change the rocky path that had brought them together. Because this ending was the best Happily Ever After she could have ever dreamed up.
Want to read more stories set in Pine Valley?
Want to know more about Dawson Harris’s story? Read SAY YOU LOVE ME
What about Jeff Finch? Check out WORTH THE RISK
Will Felicity get a Happily Ever After, too? Read FINDING US
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Heather
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Heather B. Moore is a four-time USA Today bestselling author. She writes historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore; her latest thrillers include The Killing Curse and Breaking Jess. Under the name Heather B. Moore, she writes romance and women’s fiction. Her newest releases include the historical romances Love is Come and Ruth. She’s also one of the coauthors of the USA Today bestselling series: A Timeless Romance Anthology. Heather writes speculative fiction under the pen name Jane Redd; releases include the Solstice series and Mistress Grim. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.
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Until We Kissed (Pine Valley Book 6) Page 16
