by Leah Atwood
The sound of a single person clapping interrupted their kiss, offering an instant reminder that they were still in public. She abruptly broke apart from Jase and felt a hot blush creep up her neck at being caught in a display of affection. When she realized their audience was Lanie, the embarrassment lessened a bit but didn’t evaporate completely.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’m parked right beside you.” Lanie pointed to the spot next to Cara’s car. “I’ll just be on my way.” Lanie took Kenzie and buckled her into her seat. When her daughter was secure, she turned to Cara and leaned close to whisper in her ear. “Don’t fight love. Men don’t get much better than Jase, and he clearly adores you.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Cara whispered in return, low enough so only Lanie could hear.
Lanie gave a subtle wink before getting into her vehicle and exiting the parking lot, leaving Jase and Cara alone again.
Cara slid into the driver’s seat of her car. No traces of the earlier warmth remained, and a blast of cold air hit her when she first turned on the engine.
Jase stood at her open door. “I’ll follow you home. The roads are slickest when it first starts snowing.”
The Cara of a week ago wanted to protest that it was unnecessary for him to waste his time, and that she could make it home fine on her own. However, the new Cara, enlightened to the fact people in Weatherton did care for her, basked in the knowledge that she had someone here who cared about her well-being. She’d been blind not to realize it before winning the crown.
The typically short drive home took longer than normal. There was enough snow that it was melting then freezing on the road, making for unexpected hazardous conditions. Driving well below the speed limit, she inched along, not willing to take any safety risks
When they made it to her house without incident, Jase met her at her car and walked her to the house. This weekend had been one of the best she’d ever had, and she didn’t want this night to end. Was this how Cinderella felt when the clock struck midnight? She didn’t want the carriage to turn back into a pumpkin. Figuratively speaking, of course.
Behind Jase, a light glowed in the lantern, illuminating the flurries, setting a romantic and charming scene.
After they stood silent for several moments, she asked, “Want to come in for coffee?”
His lips twisted, and his eyes reflected regret. “I want to say yes but have to say no.”
“Oh.” She drew out the word into two long syllables. His answer took her by surprise because he seemed as reluctant as she did to end the evening.
“Tate asked me earlier to go with him tomorrow to look into purchasing some used equipment in Rock Springs, and wants to leave no later than four in the morning.”
Her head did a slight jerk backward. “Why so early?”
“It’s an auction that starts at eight, and he wants time to look at the offerings in detail first.”
“I don’t envy you.” She recalled her schedule. “I don’t go in until noon tomorrow, and have every intention of turning off my alarm and sleeping until I wake up naturally.”
Jase laughed. “My problem whenever I try that is that my body wakes up before my alarm. If I sleep past five, that’s a good day although in winter months I do sleep an hour or two later if I don’t have to be awake.”
“Five is entirely too early. The first few times I was scheduled for the early morning shift, I messed up too many orders to count, so now the earliest they schedule me is eight o’clock.”
“You’re a great waitress at any time of the day.” His voice lowered. “I wish I didn’t have to leave right now.”
“Me too.”
“Could I have a rain check?” His eyes locked on hers, steady and unmoving. “I have off on Tuesday.”
“I do, too.” Her heart lightened, knowing he wanted to see her again so soon. “What time do you want to come over?”
“You said coffee, right?” He watched as she nodded. “I can be here at eight-thirty and bring breakfast.”
“That time works for me, but you don’t have to bring breakfast.”
“Yes, I do. The new cook makes these incredible French toast breakfast sandwiches that are amazing. They are worth every calorie, and everyone should try at least one in their lifetime.”
A short giggle escaped. “I never knew you could be so passionate about food, Mister Odd-shaped-burgers-are-weird man.”
“Hey, I ate them without a single complaint.”
“And I appreciate that, but you have to admit, they were delicious regardless of their shape.”
“Okay, I’ll grant you that.” His eyes darkened. “I really should leave now.”
“Drive safe tomorrow.”
“I will.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll call you the first chance I get, probably when we first get to the auction.”
“I should be up by then.” She joked about not waking up early—and her definition of early absolutely differed from Jase’s—but she rarely slept past seven, six being a more accurate timeframe.
“See you then.” Bending his neck, he lowered his head, giving her a final kiss for the night.
She wished it never had to end, but alas, it did. Tuesday couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter Ten
Jase fought the nerves brewing in his stomach. He made a detour on the way to Cara’s house, needing the extra time to compose himself. Breathing in, he let the air fill his lungs, then slowly exhaled while silently counting to ten. He’d never had the chance to have the talk with Cara despite his resolve. They’d left the Extravaganza later than he’d anticipated, and Tate’s trip to Rock Springs had thrown a wrench in his plans. Yes, he’d finally told her he was interested, but he hadn’t told her the true depths of his feelings.
Would it scare her off? Despite his nervousness, his gut instinct told him Cara felt the same as he did. The way she would lean into him, the subtle touches on his arm, the disappointment in her eyes Sunday night when he couldn’t stay. Man, he’d been tempted to have a cup of coffee with her. He’d gladly give up the sleep, but he couldn’t risk driving, especially a commercial vehicle, on a few hours of sleep.
Most importantly, he’d prayed about Cara’s role in his life, and he had a clear direction. That offered comfort as well. All he could do now was tell her and let nature take its course. He couldn’t hold it in any longer.
Get a grip, then. Stop driving around and claim your girl.
His mom was outside, retrieving her daily paper from the box when he pulled into Cara’s driveway. She glanced over at him, smiled, and offered a thumbs-up.
He laughed and rolled his eyes. No doubt, she’d be watching for him to leave and then immediately call for details. Goodness, he loved her, but since he’d confessed to loving Cara, his mom had been persistent about making a relationship happen. Which, to be fair, hadn’t been much longer than a week, but enough to drive him crazy.
The red poinsettia in the passenger seat toppled over when he braked. Dirt splattered over his seats and on the floor. He grimaced, then proceeded to scoop what dirt he could back into the planter. Fluffing the flowers the best he could, he tried to make the plant appear as fresh as it had before the fall, but two leaves remained bent. They wouldn’t reshape no matter what he did. For a brief second, he considered leaving it in his truck and not giving it to Cara. She deserved the best.
No, that was his pride speaking. She would appreciate the thought and understand why the poinsettia wasn’t perfect. He lifted it and wrapped one arm securely around the green foil covering the pot to prevent any more accidents.
Cara must have been watching for him. The front door opened before he made it out of the truck. With his free hand, he grabbed the bag Cook had given him that morning. He slid out of the truck and bumped the door closed with his hip.
“Good morning.” Cara stood at the door, wearing a long sweater wrapped around her midsection. “Need any help?”
“I’ve got it, thanks.” When he rea
ched the porch, he handed her the poinsettia. “This is for you. I’m sorry it got a little crumpled.”
She took the plant and held it close. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Once inside, he followed her to the kitchen and set the sack on the counter. He settled at the kitchen table while Cara made the coffee. Minutes later, she set two steaming cups on the table, along with the sandwiches, and took a seat across from him.
The scene was all too familiar, but everything had changed. How many times had he sat at her table as a friend, sitting with his chair pushed slightly away from the table, leaning back casually with his arm stretched over the table and his hand wrapped around the coffee cup?
How many times had they sat here before, talking? More than he could count, but this time was different. How could Cara sit there looking completely at ease when his entire world had been jolted by a kiss? Had it not meant the same to her? I know it’s just a kiss. Everyone kisses now without it meaning anything. But not me, and I doubt Cara does either. He had to believe it meant much more. When he looked at Cara again, he noticed her fingers tapping the cup. Maybe she wasn’t as relaxed as he’d first assumed.
“I had fun this weekend,” he told her, letting his lips turn into an easy smile.
“Me too. Thanks for sharing it with me.” She picked up her sandwich and took a bite, chewed it slowly then swallowed. “The last several days, especially last night, made me realize a few things.”
“Care to share them?”
“The last few months have been rough for me.” She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth and was silent for a second. “I was having a pity party for myself, missing my family, being stuck in a dead-end job, and not having any marriage prospects.” Pink dotted her cheeks when she said the last part.
He wanted to move next to her, envelop her in his arms, and tell her how much she meant to him, but he sensed she needed to finish.
She sucked in a quick breath. “Last night, I realized how much I have to be thankful for in my life. This town is my family, and they’ve always looked after me.”
“What about your job? Could you be content at the diner?”
“I didn’t tell anybody, but I applied for a job in Cheyenne, a manager’s position at a bakery. It’s the closest I could get to my dream job, short of owning my own bakery.”
His heart froze. This added a new twist. “Sounds like a great opportunity.”
“It is. They called yesterday and offered me the job.”
“Oh.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say in his disappointment.
A smile spread on her lips. “I turned it down.”
“But you just said it’s perfect.” He tilted his head, confused.
“Weatherton is my home. It’s where I belong.” She cast her eyes downward, her lashes tipping her brows. “And I had hoped there might be another reason to stay.”
His heart beat again. This was his opportunity.
“There’s something I should tell you.” His fingers flexed and tapped against the ceramic coffee cup.
“What’s that?” Her smile faltered, suddenly unsure.
“I don’t date.”
With those three words, he saw Cara’s confusion multiply, her eyes asking, What had this weekend been about then?
He spoke quickly to clarify. “Do you remember Laura?”
“Yes.” She glared at the mention of his ex’s name.
Laura hadn’t kept many friends in Weatherton, once details started leaking out of the havoc she’d left behind.
“From the time I started dating her, I knew something wasn’t right. Our values and morals didn’t match, and I never saw a future with her. However, we had fun together, and I ignored every gut feeling I had about her.”
“She fooled a lot of people into thinking she was a good person.” Cara’s tone was harsh, and her scowl deepened.
“I still should have followed my instincts, but instead, she ran off with a big chunk of my bank account, along with the guy whom she’d cheated on me with.”
“I’m sorry.” Cara’s eyes clouded. “I’d heard she’d stolen from some people, but I didn’t know you were one of them.”
He shrugged. “Laura taught me a harsh life lesson, but I vowed to myself to never make the same mistake again.”
“Which is why you don’t date?” Creases formed above her brows as she waited for an answer.
“I should clarify that statement.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose, easing away the tension that Laura’s name brought. “After that episode, I decided that I wouldn’t date again, not unless I felt the strong possibility the woman was someone I could marry.”
She gave him a quizzical expression. “You said our time this weekend was a date.”
Jase rose to his feet and moved across the table to sit next to Cara. He reached for her hand on the table. “I want to date you, Cara. Ever since I moved to the Bar M, I’ve missed you like crazy. It took moving there to realize I love you.”
At first, Cara was speechless and stared at him with wide eyes. Finally, she squeezed his hand, giving an indication of her feelings. “I’ve missed you, too. I became so accustomed to having you around, and now I only see you once a week. Distance does make the heart grow fonder.”
“Would it scare you if I tell you that you’re the woman I want to marry? I know it seems so soon to tell you, but it’s the truth.” He clasped his other hand around hers.
“It wouldn’t scare me.” Her voice was low and soft, full of emotion.
“If you want that job in Cheyenne, we’ll find a way to make it work. I love you, Cara Scott, and I want you to be happy and every dream of yours to come true.” His words all spilled out in a single breath.
“My dream is here. I’ve come to realize that everything I’ve ever wanted is right here in Weatherton. Including you. I love you too, Jase. I have for longer than I probably ever realized.”
He slid off the chair and lowered to one knee, pulled the ring from his pocket. “We can make our dreams come true together, for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”
Her lip quivered, and hands trembled. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Standing, Jase held out a hand to Cara, and she rose into his embrace. She smelled of cinnamon and spice, and he breathed in deeply. He wanted to treasure this moment forever, wanted to stay wrapped in Cara’s love for all of time.
Locking eyes with her, he saw shimmering tears in her eyes. He didn’t wipe them away, for they were tears of joy. Instead, he lowered his head and sealed their engagement with a kiss to carry them into the future.
Epilogue
Christmas Eve
“Are you sure you don’t want time alone with your mom when she first gets here?” Jase shifted his feet, scuffing his boots against the floor. “I don’t mind hanging out at Mom’s for a while.”
“I’ll have plenty of time with her tonight and during her visit.” Cara tugged on his pocket to bring him closer and planted a brief kiss on his lips. “I want you here when I tell her we’re engaged.”
“Do you think she’ll say it’s too soon?”
He was cute in his uncertainty. Not about marriage but in telling her mom.
“My mom adores you, she always has.” She pressed a palm against his cheek. “So do I.”
The freedom to express her feelings for Jase at any time never wore thin. Granted, they’d only been together a short time, but they’d known each other a lifetime. She couldn’t imagine ever growing weary of loving him and showering him with affection. And they weren’t even married yet. How much better would their relationship deepen and grow once they joined lives?
“Besides,” she said, backing away, “she’ll probably ask us why it took so long to admit we care for each other. Now that we are together, I can look back on my conversations with her and pick up where she dropped hints.”
He laughed, his charming smile in place. “My mom, too, although she wasn’t so subtle in the weeks before us dating.”
The purr of a diesel engine pulling into the driveway tore their attention away from each other.
“Expecting anyone other than your mom?” Jase started toward the foyer.
“No, just my mom and she specifically said a car, not a truck.” She followed him to the front door, wondering who would stop by on Christmas Eve.
Jase opened the door, then stepped away, leaving a gaping space between the cold outdoors and warm interior of the house. “I think you’d better go outside and see who it is.”
“Huh?” Confused, she grabbed a coat off the coatrack, slipped on the only pair of shoes she had below the small bench, and went outside.
She saw her mom unloading a suitcase from the backseat. A shadow came around the front of the truck, and its owner was soon revealed.
“Jared.” She squealed her brother’s name and ran toward him.
He picked her up and swung her in a bear hug. “Merry Christmas, Cara.”
“What are you doing here?”
Jared grinned, reminding her of all the times growing up that he’d used his charm to get out of trouble. “I talked my friend Brody into changing block leave with me.”
“Remind me to thank him if I ever meet him.” She looped her arm through his and dragged him to the house.
“Doesn’t your mother get a hug?” Her mom had set the suitcase on the ground and held her hands in the air, sent a teasing wink Cara’s way.
“Of course.” Bubbling over with excitement, she let go of her brother and ran to her mom, hugging her tight. “I missed you so much.”
“Me, too, honey. I thought the plane would never land, and your brother has forgotten how to drive on the open roads.”
“I heard that,” Jared yelled from the other side of the truck where he withdrew another set of luggage. “You told me to get you here safe, which meant driving the speed limit.”
“Come on in.” She tugged her mom’s elbow. “Jase is here.”
