Her body stiffened.
“Arabella, don’t you think it’s time to tell him? It’s so clear to me that he still has feelings for you. I know you don’t want to see it, but after the other night at the sleepover…the way he looked at you. Everyone saw it.”
“I thought everyone was noticing how you and Bishop looked at each other.”
“And now look at us.”
Arabella lifted her head off my shoulder. “It’s been too long, Abby. So much has happened between us that I’m not even sure I can tell him. I don’t even want to think about it myself, let alone tell Hunter.”
“Who says it’s been too long? Arabella, you’re miserable. You love him. He clearly has feelings for you. I know it’s scary—believe me, I know. I thought for sure Bishop would never forgive me, and look at us. I’m so over-the-moon happy right now, I can’t think straight.”
She grinned. “It’s not about me right now. It’s about you. I still can’t believe you asked him to marry you!”
With a slight chuckle, I replied, “I know. But it just felt so right.”
“When do you want to get married?”
I glanced around for Bishop and saw him standing with Kyle and Hunter over by the barn. They were helping Bishop’s folks load a Christmas tree onto their car.
I looked back at Arabella and leaned in closer. “I need your help with something.”
“Okay,” she said in a cautious tone. “What do you need my help with?”
After another quick look around, I said, “I need your help planning our wedding without Bishop knowing.”
Her brows pulled in. “Wait…what?”
I stood and took her by the arm, casually walking us a bit farther away from everyone. “Bishop once told me he wished we had gotten married on Christmas Eve, and he suggested that someday we renew our vows then.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
Nodding, I said, “Yes. I know it’s only a month away, but I’d love to surprise him with a wedding on Christmas Eve. Would you help me plan it? I want it to be simple. Nothing big, just our closest friends and family.”
Arabella’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to help you plan your wedding!”
“Shh, we have to keep it between us.”
“Okay, but how will we get everyone to show up?”
“I was thinking we could host a Christmas Eve lunch or dinner here, in the greenhouse. We can set up the tables and decorate them for the reception, but Bishop will think it’s just for the lunch or dinner.”
Arabella did a little jump and clapped her hands together. “This is going to be so much fun! I’ve already got some ideas for the food swirling around in my head. Would you mind if I asked Candace to help with the food? I’m sure you’re going to be busy with the flowers and such.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
“What are you two whispering about over here?” Bishop asked as he walked up to us.
“Abby just had a great idea! A little Christmas Eve luncheon in the greenhouse.”
Bishop looked at me with raised brows. “Can we get the greenhouse cleaned up by then?”
“Yep!” I said, my excitement clearly visible. Except he thought I was excited about a luncheon, when really, I was screaming inside that I was planning our wedding.
“I’m not sure how much I can help clean since we’re about to be so busy,” he said.
I took his hand in mine. “Don’t you even worry about it. Arabella and I will take care of everything.”
Bishop smiled. “If hosting a luncheon makes you happy, then it makes me happy.”
My heart melted. How had I ever been so damn stupid to leave this man? After everything I’d put him through, all he cared about was making me happy. I couldn’t possibly love him more.
I reached up onto my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, waggling my brows at him. “Do you want to know what really makes me happy?”
Arabella groaned. “Ugh, seriously?”
Bishop and I both laughed. He slapped me on the ass—or as best he could, since I was wearing a coat—and said, “Later, baby.”
Arabella rolled her eyes, but I saw the smile she was attempting to hide curling the corners of her mouth.
“Everyone’s starting to leave,” Bishop said. “I thought you might want to say goodbye to your folks.”
“Yes!” I took his hand and glanced back at Arabella.
“I’m going to start cleaning up a bit,” she said as she picked up cups and plates.
“Leave it, Arabella, I’ll get it.”
She waved me off. “No, go say goodbye to your folks. I’m not in a hurry to leave just yet.”
Bishop chimed in. “Arabella, just sit down and relax.”
She motioned with her hands for us to go, and Bishop and I both shrugged.
“Be right back!” I called to her.
After my folks left, we said goodbye to everyone else. Greer and Hudson, Willa, Aiden and a sleeping Ben all left together. Candace and her boyfriend, Rick, who was a firefighter for Boggy Creek, left with Kyle and his puppy, Cat.