“Oh, you guys didn’t have to do this,” she said, but smiled as she opened the gift to find a beautiful scarf.
“Bug, get the one from my bag,” Brandon said as Joy reached under the tree. She paused, then her eyes lit up as she realized what he meant, and she hurried to the hallway where they must have left their suitcases. She returned bearing a small black box.
Brandon took the box and slid from the couch to his knees in front of Presley. Her eyes widened as she realized what he was about to do. “Presley Elizabeth Hays, I’ve loved you from almost the first moment we met, but I let my fear of losing you keep me from telling you. I didn’t realize how much you meant to me until you came back into my life. I was a fool for not realizing the strength of what we have, and those few days apart from you in New York were the longest days of my life. The thought of losing you again ate me up inside, and I don’t want to go through that again. I love you, and I’m asking if you will make Joy and I the happiest pair on Earth.”
“Please Presley,” Joy added.
Presley’s eyes teared up, and her voice stuck in her throat, but she managed to nod. Brandon opened the box to showcase a beautiful diamond ring with a large carat in the middle and three smaller stones on either side. He slid it on her finger and then leaned forward placing his lips on hers. The rest of the family erupted in clapping, and as Brandon pulled back, Presley saw pink on his face as well, at least what could be seen above his beard.
The rest of the present opening flew by, a blur to Presley as her mind was focused partly on the ring on her finger and partly on the man beside her. She was still having trouble believing this was real as just yesterday she had resigned herself to possibly never seeing him again. When the presents were all opened, Brandon grabbed her hand pulling her up beside him.
“Take a walk with me?” His voice was low and throaty in her ear. The vibration of his whisper sent a shiver down her spine. She nodded and followed him to the front door to grab their coats.
“I’m so glad you found it in your heart to forgive me,” Brandon said as they stepped onto the porch.
“I wasn’t mad, more confused. Seeing Morgan was a shock. I’m sorry I didn’t call you back that night, but I couldn’t figure out why you didn’t say anything about her on the message. I guess I know now.” Brandon’s fingers intertwined with hers. It was a fit that felt like perfection.
He shook his head. “That woman has some nerve. I can’t believe she didn’t think I’d find out or that I’d be okay with her trying to dictate my life.”
“Is she gone out of your life for good?” Presley wasn’t afraid of Morgan anymore, but that didn’t mean she wanted to have to deal with custody battles or her coming into their life.
“Yeah, I think so. Joy kind of told her off. I don’t think she was used to that.”
Presley’s eyes widened. “She did what?”
He laughed and turned toward the park. “I’ll tell you about it sometime. It was amazing.”
“So, what are you going to do now? You’re out of a job, right?”
The large intake of his breath told her he didn’t have it all figured out. “I don’t know for sure, but I thought maybe I could use some of my promotion skills to put Sweet Treats on the map.”
Presley stopped in her tracks, pulling his arm so he was forced to stop as well. “Are you serious?”
His brows knitted together in confusion. “Well, yeah. I think you could get online. Have orders to go, that sort of thing.”
Her eyes filled with water, and her lips pursed together. “That would be amazing. I’ve been hanging on by a thread, and if I don’t get some new customers soon, I’m not sure how much longer Sweet Treats will last.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. “I could have helped sooner.”
Presley rolled her eyes at him. He must have no idea how focused he was on his job. “You wouldn’t have listened Brandon. You were too ready to get out of here.”
His eyes clouded for a minute, and his teeth pulled on his bottom lip. She hadn’t meant for the words to hurt him. “You’re right. I was. I had tunnel vision and was only thinking about myself. Promise me that you’ll help me keep from doing that in the future.”
“I’ll try, but you’re a stubborn man, Brandon Scott.” Her hand brushed through his curly hair and trailed down his beard.
“You’re stubborn too, Presley Hays, but I’m glad of it.”
As his hands tightened against her lower back and pulled her forward, her arms slid behind his neck. His lips were soft and warm against hers. She had always thought people who said they saw fireworks when they kissed someone were full of it, but she could almost hear the explosions as his lips explored hers.
“Are you planning to stay here?” she asked when they parted.
“Of course. In fact, I was hoping you’d go house hunting with me this week. I know you have your place until we get married, but I’d like to only buy one house and it makes more sense to have your input on it.”
“I’d love that.”
“Good, it’s a date.”
Chapter 27
The parade of visitors began promptly at seven the next morning as Presley opened the shop. Paula, true to form, was the first one there.
“Is it true?” she squealed. “You must let me see it.”
Presley held out the ring as Paula oohed and aahed over it. “Paula, one day you will have to tell me how you always have the information before everyone else.”
She smiled. “I can’t tell you that sweetie. It’s a secret that will have to die with me, but I wonder if it will turn into a double wedding. I hear your brother and Anna are getting quite close as well.”
Presley laughed and shook her head. “Whatever will you do when we all get married off?”
“Oh, there will be new people. Don’t worry. If you succeed in getting this place noticed, I see many newcomers in our future. By the way, Shane at the realtor office asked me to drop these flyers off. He thinks some of these might be exactly what the two of you are looking for.”
She placed the papers on the counter and then headed for the exit, passing Brandon on his way in and issuing her congratulations to him as well.
“How does she know?” he asked as he set his laptop bag on a table. He had offered to take pictures of the shop and begin working up a promotional website.
“I have no idea, but she even dropped these by.” Presley handed him the flyers as they traded a quick kiss over the counter. She would love for it to be longer, but she had a lot of baking to do today. Brandon wanted pictures of all the pastries she could make for the website and some of them were out of stock.
Shaking his head, he skimmed the papers, nodding at a few and frowning at others. She left him to his work and began grabbing the ingredients she would need from the back. The bell jingled as she returned, arms laden with sacks and Tupperware containers.
“I’m so happy for you guys.” Layla’s voice carried in the small room.
“Thank you,” Brandon said, and though he meant it, Presley could hear the discomfort in his voice at being the center of everyone’s attention.
“What’s on your list today, Layla?” After freeing her arms from the load, she turned to the counter to get the list.
“Same as yesterday except for one thing. I want to see the ring.”
Presley held out her hand and enjoyed the light that danced in Layla’s eyes.
“It’s a good one,” she said with a wink.
“He’s a good one,” Presley said winking back. She filled up Layla’s order and waved goodbye as she exited.
“Is it like this every day?” Brandon asked from his chair.
“No, but it’s not every day I get engaged either. You better get used to it. By my calculations, we have at least four more intrusions and that’s not counting the non-regular patrons.”
He sighed and rolled his eyes before turning back to his screen.
/> Her estimations were nearly correct as by the end of the day Trudy, Max, Ned, Barnard, and Pastor RoNed had all stopped in. She sank down in the chair next to Brandon, exhausted but happy.
“Let me show you what I’ve done.” He pivoted the screen, so she could see it better and showed the webpage he had built. It was colorful and sweet and exactly what she would have wanted if I knew how to ask for what she wanted.
“It’s amazing.”
“Yeah, and here’s the best part.” He clicked off the webpage to some sheet filled with numbers. “If we can drive one hundred people to your site every month, and that’s pretty small, you should see double the income you have coming in now.”
The words and numbers on this page meant nothing to Presley, but she smiled and nodded as this obviously meant something to him. His entire face lit up as he talked about the numbers, and she could see why he had done so well in this job.
“So, shall we?”
“Shall we what?” Her mind had zoned off as he was talking, and she had missed his last question.
“Shall we go and check out this house?” He placed the page in front of her. The picture showed a quaint rambler with a wraparound porch. The siding was painted a pale blue and trimmed in white. A white rocker sat on the porch. She scanned the details. 2200 square feet, four bedrooms, two and a half baths.
“It’s amazing, but do we need something so large? There are only three of us.”
His smile was mischievous as it stretched across his face. “For now, but you once asked me if I wanted more kids, and I can honestly say with you Presley that I hope we have a dozen.”
She didn’t know whether to laugh or blush, so she did both. “Yes, let’s go see it then.”
They bundled up, and after locking the door, headed home to grab Joy. After all, this house would be hers as well and they wanted her input. The house was a little farther from the shop, but still a walkable distance.
The yard was large and fenced in with a white picket fence. “Daddy, look, there’s a swing set in the back.” Joy’s voice rose in excitement as she dropped their hands and ran to get a closer look.
Brandon’s hand filled the void left from Joy’s, and he smiled over at her.
The front door opened as they approached, and Shane, the local agent stepped out on the porch. He was older than Brandon and Presley with a Friar Tuck hairline but kind brown eyes. His long brown trench coat covered up whatever suit he was wearing underneath. Shane always dressed to impress. “Brandon, Presley, good to see you. Come on inside, and I’ll show you around.”
The front room was large and homey, painted a soft tan color that complemented the brown in the hard wood flooring. A large cream-colored couch sat against one wall underneath a colorful painting. An overhead fan held three light bulbs surrounded in frosted glass casings. Two ornate chairs sat on the other side of the room with a brown table between them. At the far end of the room was a large fireplace with a brick mantle.
“The furniture doesn’t come with the place,” Shane said, “but it helps you get the idea.”
He led the way out of the front room and into the kitchen. The colors were bright and airy, soft beige and cream. A travertine floor in a soft brown with silver specks ran throughout the room. The appliances were stainless steel, and a glass door opened to a large backyard. A slide and swing set stood in the yard.
“See, Daddy? See the swing set?”
“I see it, Bug.”
The dining room sat next to the kitchen and down the hall lay the bedroom and a hall bath as well as another living room. At the very back of the house was the master bedroom, painted a soft rose color with beige carpet. A queen four poster bed took up a large part of the real estate in the room, but there was still room for a dresser and two nightstands. A large walk in closet and a master bathroom with a soaking tub completed the room.
“It’s beautiful.” Presley squeezed Brandon’s hand.
“Yes, it is, but I’m afraid I need to get some money coming in first before going farther into debt. How long do you think it will stay on the market Shane?”
Shane pursed his lips and scratched his balding head. “Don’t rightly know. It’s been up for a month, and I’ve only shown it twice. Best guess’d be another couple of months.”
“Wonderful. I’ll start crunching some numbers and looking for work, and we’ll let you know.”
The two men shook hands and they made their way back to the front door.
“Daddy, are we going to buy this house?” Joy asked, once again grabbing each of their hands.
“I hope to Joy, but we have to get some money coming in first. Now that I’ve quit my job, I’ll have to find something here.”
He was quiet as they walked back to his house to drop off Joy, and Presley knew that not being able to provide for his family was weighing on him. She sent a quick prayer heavenward for something to materialize for him soon.
Chapter 28
Brandon closed his eyes and then opened them on the screen again. It couldn’t be true. It just wasn’t possible. “Presley, when you get a second, can you come here?” He leaned back in his chair which sat just under the Eiffel Tower picture covering one wall in Presley’s store.
“What is it?” she asked as she appeared around the corner. Her hair was piled loosely on her head, and her purple streak – that adorable purple streak – had once again fallen out of place and hovered over her right eye. She blew it off her face and tucked it behind her ear as she approached.
“I want to show you something.” He turned the computer to face her, and she sat down in the other chair. Her eyes scanned back and forth across the page, but when she glanced up, he could tell she didn’t understand what she was seeing.
“Those are the orders that came in on your website this morning.”
Her eyes returned to the screen and widened as she took in the page of emails. Her lips parted, and her hand – nails painted a sparkly purple today – touched her mouth. “There’s so many of them.”
Brandon laughed. “Yeah, thirty to be exact. You’re only seeing the first twenty-five. There is another page.”
“Thirty orders? How on earth am I going to bake that much?”
“Well, you have me, but I have the feeling you are going to need some help as well. If the orders keep coming in like this, and I have a good feeling they will, you are going to need a full-time helper.”
“Brandon, this is incredible. I don’t know what to say.” The shock was evident in her voice as she struggled to find the words, a rare trait for Presley.
“For right now, I suggest we start baking. I’ll be your help today. Just tell me what we need to do.”
A laugh escaped her lips. “Okay, let’s get you an apron, and we’ll start mixing.”
While she headed to the back to grab an apron, Brandon took the laptop and set it up on the table behind the counter, so they could see the orders while working. They spent the rest of the afternoon that way, mixing and baking and cooling and boxing up orders. Every once in a while, she left him to man the counter, but the customers were slow today, at least the in-store ones. The online orders continued to fly into the inbox faster than they could fill them.
“Do you think Anna would help? I know she’s only home till school starts again, but we could sure use her help.” Presley wiped her forehead with the back of her hand leaving a white mark of flour in its wake.
Brandon smiled at her exhausted appearance and complete lack of knowledge of the smudge. She was so beautiful. “I’m sure she will as long as Mother can handle Joy alone.”
Presley sighed. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot she was helping your mom out during the day. I’d ask Ryan, but he burns toast. I suppose I better put out signs or take out an ad.”
“I’m sure Ned could help you with that.” It was meant as a joke, and Presley caught it, joining in laughter as the image of Ned either baking with her or going door to door to find her a helper filled their heads.
&
nbsp; “I’ll talk to Rita at the Gazette tomorrow,” Presley said when she managed to calm her laughter. The Star Lake Gazette was not a big newspaper, but Rita was a perfectionist and always put out an amazing copy, and since it was the only newspaper in town, many of the residents still read it.
“That’s a good idea. For now, I’m starving, so can we call it a night?” The clock on her wall read six fifteen, past closing time, but he hadn’t had the heart to stop her in the middle of a batch of cookies. The oven timer dinged, signaling the last batch was ready.
“Let’s box these up and get out of here,” Presley said and while Brandon took the cookies out of the oven, she locked the front door and turned the sign to closed. They finished packing up the cookies, performed a quick cleaning of the kitchen, and headed over to his mother’s house for a late dinner.
Ryan met them at the corner of Cooper Street. He and Anna had begun hanging out together quite regularly and while they were not officially dating, Brandon would give his blessing. He had always liked Ryan, not only because he was related to Presley, but because he always seemed genuine. It would be interesting to see how their story worked out.
As they reached the porch, Joy came out hollering. “Daddy, Presley, come see. Come see.”
Unsure of what had her so excited, they followed her into the living room to see his father slowly walking circles around the room, using only a cane. He looked up and smiled. “I’ve been practicing.”
They hurried to embrace him, and Brandon heard Presley whisper, “Praise Jesus” as her arms encircled his father. Brandon had never been as big of a believer as she was, but he was starting to wonder if there was something to it all. The bakery, his father, even his coming back all seem precipitated by prayers.
He asked Presley about her faith on the walk back to her apartment after dinner that night. She smiled and squeezed his hand as she told him the entire story he only knew bits and pieces of.
“I don’t think I was doing the best I could,” she said, “I wasn’t practicing faith, but when you left, I knew I had to give it to God. Then I prayed for your father and for your job. I know you like to see things in person, but for me just seeing the things I prayed for come true is enough to make me a believer. I think if you would truly give your life to God, you would see amazing things happen as well.”
When Love Returns Page 17
