“It’s not really a gift.”
“No?” I pulled the ribbon free and removed the lid of the box. “If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck—”
I stared at a house key.
“It’s more like a convenience,” Felix replied.
I looked up.
“As far as I’m concerned, you belong here as much as the two of us,” he said, motioning between Alan and himself. “Day or night.”
I picked up the key and gripped it in my hand. “What about dayandnight?”
Felix smiled. “Even better.”
Epilogue
76 Days Until Christmas
“DAMN IT,”Felix swore quietly. He fumbled with his tie and let out a frustrated breath. “I can never get these right.”
I moved in front of him and unknotted the tie to start over again.
The Snowy Ridge gift shop was empty. Silent and still. Just the two of us in Felix’s new office, where he watched me fix his tie in the mirror’s reflection.
“Are you nervous?” I asked.
“No. Yes. I mean, only a little.”
I smiled, reworking the knot before patting Felix’s chest. “There.”
“Thanks.” Felix looked down, fiddling with his suit and boutonniere.
“Stop,” I chastised, taking his hands.
Felix turned to me once again. “You look really handsome,” he murmured.
“So do you.” I raised both his hands and kissed each of them. “Ready for this?”
Felix unbuttoned and rebuttoned the top of his suit before nodding. “I’m not letting the open bar go to waste, so….”
“There’s my romantic,” I laughed. I took his hand into my own, and we walked through the shop and out the front door.
It was a perfect day.
The skies shone blue, with wisps of clouds like a fine mist. The autumn air was cool and crisp, heavy with that earthy perfume. It was peak foliage season in Coos County, and the mountains surrounding Felix’s property were like a canvas of fiery reds, oranges, and golds. The orchard had been closed today, despite it being the busiest season of the year. The front yard had been transformed into a splendorous scene, with chairs set out, a tent raised, and a dance floor put down.
Felix stopped on the porch, looking toward the guests seated and waiting. He looked down at me. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
I stepped down from the porch, turned, put my hands in my pockets, and squinted a bit as I looked up. “Yeah. You?”
“Yes, but….”
“What is it?”
“It’s only… none of those dance lessons took.”
“We’re not skipping our first dance.”
