Her dad would always be her dad. Her sister lived in Florida and they were all still close. As for Harper? Her best friend in the entire world would understand. Emily just hadn’t been brave enough to even let herself consider the idea, and now she was knee deep in architectural plans and she owed Parker money that she could only pay back by building the property and making the shop a success.
God, what a mess she’d made of her life.
She was alone here for the afternoon. Her father was at lunch with Dr. Carlysle in town. As for the inn’s future, they had plans in place. Emily had chosen the wallpaper, carpet, and furniture through an online site that offered decoration help and they should be up and running within a few months.
Once they were ready, they’d place an ad with the local paper in their print edition they left at all businesses and their online site for housekeeping and cooking help. They anticipated the renovations to continue through the summer, then a slow fall season with more of a soft opening until they could get a website up and running and word out about their accommodations.
As for Emily and Harper, the architect brought them plans they’d loved and approved. With the town being small, permits should be approved quickly and construction should start soon. Harper would be able to keep the coffee shop open for a good part of the work. Meanwhile they were doing research on what they wanted for décor. It was exciting. Invigorating. Or should be, if she could share it with Parker.
She blew out a deep breath and began to cut the dough into the right size when the front door opened. “Hello?” she called out.
Now that Rex had been arrested and because he was considered dangerous, not given bail, she was comfortable going back to the unlocked, visitors-welcome policy they’d had before.
Nobody answered, so she wiped her hands on her apron and started for the entryway, stopping short when she laid eyes on Parker. She let out a startled gasp, then blinked a few times to make sure she wasn’t dreaming or conjuring him up because she wanted it to be him so badly.
“Parker?” He’d trimmed his scruffy beard, keeping the overall effect that he’d achieved while not shaving during his time in Colorado, and he wore a navy Henley and a pair of jeans, and the red light down jacket he’d bought at Caleb Benson’s.
“In the flesh.”
She tipped her head to the side, her heart pounding hard in her chest. “Why?” she asked, that damned lump that was always in her throat still there, only bigger.
“Because I missed you.” His blue eyes sparkled with mirth and happiness.
They still stood feet apart but she needed to know more before getting her hopes up. “So you came for a visit?”
“Actually I packed up my car and drove across the damned country. I’m back for good.” He shook his head. “I’m back for you. Forever.”
She finally let herself believe.
Breathe.
With a squeal, she ran for him, jumping into his arms and peppering kisses all over his face. “Oh my God, I missed you. I didn’t know how I was going to get through losing you. I was contemplating moving to New York, but I was so entrenched here with the coffee shop and renovations–”
“Emily?”
“Yes?”
“Shut up and kiss me,” he said with a grin.
And then her lips were on his, her tongue in his mouth, and all was right in her world. He kissed her until she was dizzy and gasping for air. It was only when she lifted her head and looked into his eyes that she realized something important.
“I never told you,” she said.
That blue gaze held on to hers. “I know.”
She pressed her hands against his cheeks and said, “I love you, Parker Knight. And I never want to be without you again.”
Something akin to relief crossed his face as he slid her down his body. He reached into his pocket, then to her utter shock, he lowered himself to one knee.
“Emily Ann Stevens, will you spend the rest of our lives making me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me?”
She gasped as he revealed a very large ring by her small-town standards, but a tasteful and gorgeous ring with a round stone and two rubies on either side.
“The rubies are for your mom. So you’ll always know she’s with you.”
She blinked, forcing the tears that had been welling in her eyes to fall. “I can’t believe you thought about that. I love it.”
“Well?” he asked. “Before my bad knee gives out?”
“Yes!” she squealed, pulling him to a standing position before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him hard.
“Did she say yes yet?” Her father’s voice sounded from outside.
Laughing, Parker pulled her against him as they turned to face the front door. “Come in, James. Harper.”