“You meant what you said out there?” he asked.
“Of course I did. I don’t want to sell the farm. This farm isyou.This farm is my family. This farm is…”
“What?”
“My home,” I whispered. “One I don’t want to leave.”
Hopper bent down, pressing lips against mine. We were both chilled from the outdoors, but it didn’t take long for our mouths to heat up.
My father coughed. My mother said something about giving us a minute alone.
I wrapped my arms around Hopper and held him to me, unwilling to let go.
“You really want to stay?” Hopper asked in a voice that trembled.
“I do. Would that… I mean, would you?—”
“I want you here, if that’s what you’re trying to ask. Of course I do.” He kissed me again. “I was going to ask you to stay. I was going to tell you I loved you and beg you not to leave me, but then I saw the message, and I thought it was too late.”
“It could never be too late,” I said. “And I didn’t try to sell the farm. I need you to know that.”
“It’s okay?—”
“No, I mean it,” I said more forcefully. “It means a lot that you’d understand if I had, and I won’t lie and say the thought never entered my mind. I was worried when I got here. Worried about my parents’ being able to manage. Worried about your intentions. But then I fell in love with you, Hopper. I knew you’d take care of the farm, if you could, but it was so much work. What if you couldn’t? So I…I just mentioned to Griff when we talked about event planning that I didn’t know if my parents could keep the farm much longer. I wish I hadn’t. I wish I’d had more faith from the start.”
“What about now?” Hopper asked. “Do you have faith now?”
“In you? Absolutely.”
“And in us?” he asked hesitantly.
“So much faith I ran into the snow barefoot and shivering,” I said, eyes fixed on his. “I believe in us, Hop. I believe in this farm. I want to stay. With you.”
He buried his head in my neck, holding me tight. “Then stay, Noel. Stay with me. Stay forever.”
“I will,” I murmured as I stroked his hair, my heart swelling.
He lifted his head suddenly. “But what about your career? It’s not fair to ask you to stay. Should I—” He drew a breath. “I should go to Chicago with you so you can do what you love.”
“No, Hopper. My parents need you here. The farm needs you.”
“But you’re so talented. You can’t just give all your dreams up.”
“I’m not,” I said. “My dreams are just changing a little. If anything, they’re getting bigger. I want to create menus, prepare amazing meals for special farm events, and still have time for my family—foryou—in my life.”
“That’s what you really want? You’re not just settling for my sake?”
“It’s what I really want,” I said. “This is my home. I just forgot for a while. But there is one thing I’m unhappy about.”
“What’s that?”
“You haven’t asked me yet to be your boyfriend. Where’s my letter jacket? I want to go steady.”
Hopper laughed. “You can have anything you want from me, Noel Grisold. I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.”
I sighed happily. “Best Christmas present ever.”
CHAPTER 24
