The Sweetest Thing
Page 23
Cassie didn’t know if she believed him. It wasn’t like Noah to be so serious. She felt him move beside her. “What’s happening?”
Noah turned her away from her cottage. “You can open your eyes now, but don’t look over your shoulder.”
She pretended to turn around.
Noah growled.
“Okay.” She laughed. “I promise to behave myself.” A flash of light lit the backyard. At least the steady glow meant she could see Noah’s face. But how on earth had he turned on the lights? “Can you please show me why you brought me out here before we get frostbite?”
Noah lowered one knee to the ground.
Cassie was confused. “What are you—”
He took a rectangular jewelry case out of his pocket.
“I don’t understand.”
Noah cleared his throat and looked into her eyes. “I love you, Cassie. My life wouldn’t be the same without you. When you smile, the whole world seems brighter. When I’m with you, the issues weighing heavily on my mind became less important, and the dreams I’ve pushed to one side are within reach. Cassie Harper, will you marry me?”
She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.
Noah’s face turned as white as his shirt.
Cassie held his hands and pulled him to his feet. “That’s not a no.”
“Does that mean it’s a yes?”
She touched the side of his face and nodded. “I love you, Noah. I want to share my life with you. My answer is a great big yes.”
Noah wiped tears from his eyes. “I haven’t bought an engagement ring because I wanted you to choose something you liked. But what’s in this box is special.” He held it toward her.
Carefully, Cassie opened the lid. Her mouth dropped open when she saw the lovely gold, pearl, and diamond necklace. “It’s the necklace I made for The Welcome Center’s auction. I thought you bought it for the prestige store.”
“I bought it for you. I can’t imagine anyone else wearing it.”
Cassie took the necklace out of the box and placed it around her neck. “What do you think?”
Noah’s slow smile made her toes curl.
“You look amazing.”
He lifted Cassie into his arms and kissed her so tenderly that tears filled her eyes.
“Do you want to see the lights?” he whispered.
Cassie nodded. When her feet touched the ground, she turned around. “Oh, my goodness. That’s incredible.” The back of her cottage was covered in strands of white fairy lights. Set in the middle of the roof were two glowing Christmas trees.
“I couldn’t find a bride and groom, so I bought the trees.”
“They’re perfect.” Cassie couldn’t take her eyes off the display. “It must have taken hours to attach everything to the roof. When did you do it?”
“I flew into Polson yesterday and stayed with Pastor John last night. After you left for work, we started decorating the cottage. But we had other help.” Noah raised his hand and turned Cassie around.
A crowd of people poured out of Acorn Cottage. But they weren’t random strangers. They were Cassie’s friends. John, Megan and William, Caleb and Sam, and Levi and Brooke. She gasped when she saw Natalie and Gabe. “I thought Natalie was overseas?”
“She arrived home last night. Willow and everyone from the candy store will be here soon.”
Patrick came out last, holding Nora’s hand.
Cassie blew her nose and wiped her eyes. “I can’t believe everyone helped get this ready.”
“They all love you, Cassie. But there’s someone else who wanted to be here.” Noah turned her gently toward Honeysuckle Cottage.
Her eyes widened when she saw the man walking toward her. “Dad!” She ran toward her father and wrapped him in a big hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s wonderful to see you, too. Watch where you step. You don’t want to hurt your little buddy.”
Cassie frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Her dad pointed behind her.
Noah leaned down and picked a little black and white puppy off the ground. Big, brown, doggy eyes stared up at her. “Cassie, meet Louis. He’s a four-month-old Cavoodle.”
She reached out and patted his soft fur. “He’s adorable.”
“Louis and I will be going for lots of walks around the lake. Before you know it, he’ll be chasing the ducks.”
“But you need to go back to Manhattan.”
“Not anymore. I’ve decided to keep my shares, but leave the running of the company to the chief financial officer. Pastor John has offered me a job at the church, and I’ve accepted it.”
More tears filled Cassie’s eyes. “Are you sure? I know you love your—”
Noah leaned forward and kissed her. “I love you more. Now that Granddad is working permanently on the tiny homes, you’ll have to get used to both of us being around each day.”
“That will be the easiest thing in the world to do.” Cassie turned to Patrick. “Did you know about this?”
“Most of it, but this little fellow is a surprise.” He rubbed Louis under the chin. “If you need someone to look after your puppy, I’ll take him to the steamboat museum with me. Louis can be my little shadow.”
As their friends congratulated them, Cassie leaned against Noah’s chest and sighed. The sweetest thing in anyone’s life was having the people you loved around you. And tonight, at the beginning of her new life with Noah, it was even more special.
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THE END
Thank you
Thank you for reading The Sweetest Thing. I hope you enjoyed it! If you did…
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Keep reading for a sneak peak of Sweet Surrender, Willow and Zac’s story. Pre-order your copy today!
Sweet Surrender
Sapphire Bay, Book 6
Willow's sudden departure from Nashville's country music scene shocked most people. But the bright lights, fake smiles, and empty promises of the people she should have been able to trust, left her cold and empty.
* * *
Returning to Sapphire Bay has been good for her soul. She's built a new life and surrounded herself with kind-hearted people who go out of their way to make the world a better place.
* * *
Zac has spent the last ten years working as a doctor in refugee camps around the world. His last assignment in Afghanistan has taken everything from him. He returns to Sapphire Bay, hoping to find peace and solitude in the home he rarely gets to visit.
* * *
When he meets Willow, the quiet life he anticipated disappears. In its place is an emotional roller coaster that shatters the structured world he's created and makes him reevaluate what's really important.
* * *
But like most things in Willow and Zac's lives, nothing is as it seems. They both have secrets they're hiding and people they need to stay away from. Will Sapphire Bay bring them the peace they crave or make their lives even more complicated?
Click here to pre-order your copy today!
Enjoy Other Novels By Leeanna Morgan
Montana Brides:
Book 1: Forever Dreams (Gracie and Trent)
Book 2: Forever in Love (Amy and Nathan)
Book 3: Forever After (Nicky and Sam)
Book 4: Forever Wishes (Erin and Jake)
Book 5: Forever Santa (A Montana Brides Christmas Novella)
Book 6: Forever Cowboy (Emily and Alex)
Book 7: Forever Together (Kate and Dan)
Book 8: Forever and a Day (Sarah and Jordan)
Montana Brides Boxed Set: Books 1-3
Montana Brides Boxed Set: Books 4-6
* * *
The
Bridesmaids Club:
Book 1: All of Me (Tess and Logan)
Book 2: Loving You (Annie and Dylan)
Book 3: Head Over Heels (Sally and Todd)
Book 4: Sweet on You (Molly and Jacob)
* * *
Emerald Lake Billionaires:
Book 1: Sealed with a Kiss (Rachel and John)
Book 2: Playing for Keeps (Sophie and Ryan)
Book 3: Crazy Love (Holly and Daniel)
Book 4: One And Only (Elizabeth and Blake)
* * *
The Protectors:
Book 1: Safe Haven (Hayley and Tank)
Book 2: Just Breathe (Kelly and Tanner)
Book 3: Always (Mallory and Grant)
Book 4: The Promise (Ashley and Matthew)
Book 5: Coming Home (Mia and Stan)
Book 6: The Gift (Hannah and Brett)
Book 7: The Wish (Claire and Jason)
The Protectors Boxed Set: Books 1-3
* * *
Sapphire Bay:
Book 1: Falling For You (Natalie and Gabe)
Book 2: Once In A Lifetime (Sam and Caleb)
Book 3: A Christmas Wish (Megan and William)
Book 4: Before Today (Brooke and Levi)
Book 5: The Sweetest Thing (Cassie and Noah)
Book 6: Sweet Surrender (Willow and Zac)
* * *
Santa’s Secret Helpers:
Book 1: Christmas On Main Street (Emma and Jack)
Book 2: Mistletoe Madness (Kylie and Ben)
Book 3: Silver Bells (Bailey and Steven)
Book 4: The Santa Express (Shelley and John)
Bonus Recipe - Noah’s Barbecue Ribs
Try this delicious barbecue spare rib recipe made by Noah in ‘The Sweetest Thing’. It’s finger-lickin’ good!
(From tasteofhome.com)
Ingredients
1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons each garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika
1-1/4 teaspoons each ground cumin, coarsely ground pepper and cayenne pepper
12 bone-in country-style pork ribs (about 7 pounds)
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Sauce:
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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Instructions
1. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and seasonings; sprinkle over ribs. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour.
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2. For sauce, in a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 5-6 minutes or until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
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3. Wrap ribs in a large piece of heavy-duty foil; seal edges of foil. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours or until ribs are tender.
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4. Carefully remove ribs from foil. Place ribs over direct medium heat; baste with some of the sauce. Grill, covered, 8-10 minutes or until browned, turning and basting occasionally with remaining sauce. Enjoy!