When the cake had been cut and the flowers bowed from the centerpieces in wilted blooms, the lights turned on, but the magic didn’t end. Her parents were the last to leave, and Mariella felt strange abandoning the hotel staff to clean up the mess. Typically, the staff pulled together after big weddings.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Harrison said, pulling her into the hall and toward the back doors of the hotel.
“But…”
“You’re the bride, Mariella. They’ve got this.”
She reluctantly followed him out of the ballroom.
The crisp night was warm with barely a breeze. The town was decorated in splashes of gold and orange for the autumn months ahead. All the stores were closed and only O’Malley’s remained open at this hour, but even its parking lot was empty on account of most residents being at the wedding.
Harrison held her hand as they walked slowly down Main Street. A car drove by, blearing its horn and someone yelled out the window, “Kiss the bride!”
Harrison dipped her back and kissed her soundly, earning several other honks as the car drove away.
They laughed and continued on their stroll. As much as she wanted to get out of this dress, the quiet walk was nice. It gave them a moment to catch their breath after a long, busy day and let it all sink in.
“I have to grab something at the office.”
Harrison’s office looked nothing like the old hardware store. Jasper Falls wasn’t much for fancy, so this was the town’s first experience with any sort of financial advisor. Most people didn’t know what a financial advisor did, but those who employed his services benefited greatly. Her aunt Maureen had been one of his first clients.
“She’ll be your best advertisement,” Mariella had told Harrison. “Her mouth gets more miles than a billboard.”
As soon as he made the McCulloughs money, everyone wanted a piece of his advice. The people of Jasper Falls might not be as fancy as his New York clients, but Harrison was content.
She sat on the desk in the dim office and waited for him to find whatever he was looking for. There was something especially magical about sitting around in a wedding gown, and she decided she was in no rush to take it off, certain she’d never have the chance to wear it again.
Harrison closed a desk drawer. “Got it.”
“It?”
He held up a small box. “Your wedding present.”
Mariella cocked her head in confusion. “But we already did that. You got me flowers, and I got you cufflinks.”
“This goes with the flowers.” He stepped between her knees, bunching up the froth of her dress, and held out the box.
“Jewelry?”
“Better. Open it.”
She lifted the lid and a plain silver key sparkled from within. “Is it a key to your heart?”
He chuckled. “You already busted that lock wide open. Come with me.”
He pulled her off the desk and locked up the office. They walked down Main Street and turned left where the old grain factory used to be. The road was dark and in need of street lights, except for one house up ahead.
She rarely drove down this road, being that it was off the beaten path, so she wasn’t sure where he was taking her.
“Do you see it?”
She scanned the open fields and dark mountains along the horizon. “See what?”
He turned her shoulders, pointing her eyes directly at the light up ahead. “There.”
“It’s a house.”
“No.” His arms closed around her waist, and he pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “It’s more than that. It’s a home. Our home.”
Her jaw unhinged and she turned to face him, then looked back at the home. Two stories with a wraparound porch. Lights lit every window and there was even a chimney. “It’s ours?”
He smiled. “It’s all ours. Do you want to see inside?”
“Do I?” She grabbed his hand and ran up the hill, her dress frothing and swishing as she laughed into the night. Winded and panting, their footsteps thumped up the fresh wood of the porch steps.
Everything was brand new and absolutely beautiful. The siding was cedar and the porch lights were copper. It looked like something out of a storybook.
“You had this built?”
He nodded. “Your cousin Braydon was a lot of help.”
She was shocked her family had been able to keep such a secret.
“Unlock the door.” He handed her the key.
Her heart raced as she slipped the metal into the slot. The scent of cut wood and fresh paint welcomed her as the door glided open.
She gasped when he swept her off her feet and lifted her to his chest. “I heard it’s tradition to carry the bride over the threshold.”
She looked up at him, more enchanted than she ever dreamed possible. Her hand softly cupped his cheek where stubble had grown and she whispered, “Just promise you won’t let go.”
“I promise.”
He carried her into their home and her gaze caressed every molding and every detail. The rooms weren’t yet furnished, but it was clear he’d thought everything out so the house would be furniture ready by the wedding.