He smiled full-out and she returned his expression. “I will. Happily. But will you be mine?”
“Yes.” She kissed him, quick and with a giggle at the giddy dance of butterflies fluttering in her core.
He let out a breath. “Am I dreaming?”
“I hope not. I want this to be real.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “Why? You’re so young and full of life, beautiful, smart, creative, fun and funny. Why this crusty old bachelor?”
“Because this crusty old bachelor is a big softie.” She gently poked his side and he kissed her nose. “Because this old bachelor makes me feel safe and wanted and heard. Because this bachelor is a deep, caring, interesting man. Because this man is mine, and I’m his. And I want to know him more and more for as long as that takes.”
He kissed her again, this time on her lips, with such tender tentativeness that she blinked away tears of joy.
“That may take a long time. But not longer than I want to be with you, Ana, and your caring and delight in all things.”
She caressed his jaw, laughing at the roughness of his beard contrasting with his soft look and words. “You’re good for my self-esteem.”
“I speak the truth.” He gazed at her, a smile playing on his full lips. “You’re beautiful. Radiant.”
“You won’t be saying that when we’re covered in mud and dirt in those gardens.”
“I don’t want to disagree with you, mein Liebling, but I will say so, especially then, always.”
Her knees jelled, making her lean into him more. He sounded, and kind of looked, like Prince Albert in Victoria. And Brandon made her feel like a queen, in the best ways.
“Danke,” she said, speaking one of the few other words of German she knew. “You’re a surprising man. I like that.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He linked his hands on the small of her back, tugging her even closer. “Now, about that tour...”
“Let’s do that. Lead on, my gentleman.”
He released her but clasped her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed her fingers, each one in turn before he entwined their fingers together. They walked, hand in hand, into the hall, where shafts of light shimmered with all the hope of spring in their flashes and rainbows. An answering hope unfurled in Ana as she and Brandon ambled into the living room. She’d found another new beginning, one full of budding feelings and sweet promises.
“What do you think?” he asked, gesturing to the room.
She didn’t look around, yet, but only at this man, her man. “It’s beautiful.”
Life was: beautiful, wonderful, full. She tugged Brandon closer and went on tiptoe to kiss him. They embraced before turning to explore the room, and their future.
Epilogue
BRANDON FINISHED WATERING the huge swath of daffodils and spiraled up the hose. Turning to seek Ana, he spotted her kneeling by the gazebo, weeding under the lilac bushes. He walked to her. Swiping her arm across her forehead, she streaked dirt on her glowing face.
“May I assist you, beautiful?” He held out his hand to her.
She pulled off her gloves, smiled that sunshine smile of hers, and took his hands. He lifted her up and into his arms, his body heating as she slid down slowly, until she stood on tiptoe gazing up at him.
Chuckling, he took his handkerchief and dabbed the dirt from her face.
“I’m a mess.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. Her hair came loose from the bun she wore when she gardened, and her jeans and denim work shirt, striped with mud and plant matter, clung to her.
“A beautiful mess.” This woman had become his partner, comfort, true love, all in a few months. It was too soon to move to the place in their relationship that Cutler and Nora were, but he hoped it wasn’t too soon for some token of their growing affection and commitment.
She kissed him and certainty grounded him, from his feet to his head. Holding her close, he marveled that he’d found such love twice in a lifetime.
“I love you, Ana. Te amo.”
She gazed up at him again. “Ich liebe dich. I love you so much, Brandon.”
“Your German is coming along.” She liked to be praised for her accomplishments, and so he’d become more a man of words with her than he was with others. She pushed him out of his comfort zone, and he liked it. He liked making her happy. Her smile showed he’d done just that.
“Danke.” She gave a little curtsey.
He chuckled and lifted the box from his pocket. “Will you wear this?” Opening the box, he presented her with the antique gold daffodil locket sparkling with a few tiny peridots—her birthstone—he’d had put in the empty setting.
“I love it. It’s perfect!” She handled it carefully, holding it up to the bright summer sun. “But I’ll only wear it on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“You give me a lock of your hair to keep inside.”
He kissed her nose. “You’re a surprising woman.”
“Need to keep you on your toes, dearest.” She planted a peck on his nose then snuggled into his side, keeping the necklace in her hand.
“Nora is going to love this garden setting and the house,” she continued. “Thank you.”
“Teamwork.” He squeezed her to him.
“Team wedding.” They held hands, twining together. “It’s been a lot of work.”
“You need some time off. You’ve been doing double duty with your work at the bakery and making this garden ready.”
“I’m with the people I love. It’s all good.”
“As long as you’re happy.”
“I am. I had that long talk with Nora, and we’re closer than ever. I’m going to miss her, though. It’s been fun, las tres hermanas all together again.”
“You won’t be far apart.”
“True. I’m glad Cutler bought the house down the road from Maya’s. I think it’s less grand and modern than he’d like, but Nora thinks it’s great.”
“He just wants to be with the woman he loves.” Brandon could relate. But unlike his brother, who’d had to wait twelve years to be with his love again, Brandon knew he wouldn’t let Ana go, and they’d be together in due time.
Ana tucked her head into his shoulder. The sun moved behind a fluffy cloud, but they were warm in each other’s arms. The garden bloomed with color, still soft pastels before the vibrant riot that summer would bring.
“And you’ve given them the perfect wedding venue. It’ll be even better in a year or two, for an outdoor ceremony and reception.”
Her words filled him with the light of hope, that she too saw the future for them that he did. “Right, as usual, mein Liebling.”
They kissed again and walked, their arms entwined behind each other’s backs, toward the house. He hoped someday they’d marry here, make a life here, continuing the happiness that had started in this sweet spring.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this book, please help by leaving a review and recommending it to others. You are appreciated!
Special thanks to: Jessica McBrayer and Marik Berghs for reading and sharing stories of Montana; Marilyn for the Montana tips; my family and friends for their support; Cheryl for the beta reads; and Salt & Sage Editing for their helpful comments.
About the Author
REINA M. WILLIAMS WRITES heartwarming, cozy fiction. When she's not writing, editing, or spending time with her sons, you're most likely to find her watching a period drama or classic movie, walking in a park or library, baking, or reading with a cup of tea nearby. A California native, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Get the ten-book Montana Matchmakers series from your favorite book retailer!
Other sweet contemporary romance:
North Beach Bakery series
Escape in Love series
Petals, Pride, and Persuasion: A Jane Austen in California Collection
California Fairy Tales series
Sweet Historical Romance:
A Gentleman’s Daughter trilo
gy
Love at Pemberley (four novellas of Pride and Prejudice)
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Also by Reina M. Williams
A Gentleman's Daughter
A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Choice
A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Folly
A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Love
Escape in Love
Greek Getaway
Paris Interlude
Italian Honeymoon
Jane Austen in California
Petals, Pride, and Persuasion: A Jane Austen in California Collection
Love at Pemberley
Most Truly: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Miss Darcy Decides: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Miss Bennet Blooms: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Misunderstood: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Love at Pemberley
Montana Matchmakers
Sweet Christmas
Sweet Valentine
Sweet Spring
Sweet Summer
Hello Dolly
Sweet Fall
One Moment
Sweet Winter
Sweet Easter
Sweet May
North Beach Bakery
Valentine Kisses
Spring Kisses
Chocolate Kisses
Autumn Kisses
Mistletoe Kisses (Coming Soon)
Christmas Kisses (Coming Soon)
Sweet Spring Page 4
