“Sorry, Harrison. I need to get back to the chickens. I’m going to be a grandpapa soon,” Charlie said proudly. “There are some other last-minute fixes I need to finish in the house too.”
Harrison let out a sigh, shoulders sagging. “Well, at least we have this last night together.”
Charlie looked at Harrison. “This isn’t the end of the show, Harrison. More like,” he tilted his head in thought. “A season finale with a great cliff hanger.”
Charlie smiled, looking more hopeful.
“Next season will be even better,” Emma promised, squeezing his knee.
Emotion swelled in my chest. This did feel like the beginning of something wonderful.
I spoke quietly to just Charlie when Emma and Harrison started discussing his next film. “You know, I never got back to you about those samples you sent me. I was making last-minute preparations to come out here.”
“You’re welcome again,” Harrison cut in from the other side, despite our hushed conversation. “Ow,” he said, and Emma whispered something sharply.
Charlie turned so that he blocked Emma and Harrison, focusing only on me. “That’s true,” Charlie said carefully, his gaze moving over my face.
“The thing with color samples and choosing fabrics is, I really can’t get a feel for how they’ll look without knowing the room’s natural lighting.” I fought to keep from fidgeting.
A grin tugged Charlie’s mouth. “Definitely best to be done in person.”
“So, maybe, when my lease is up this summer, I should plan a quick trip out there? I haven’t even met the chickens in person.”
“Well, the thing is,” he said, and my heart stuttered. “It’s quite a lot of decision making. And if you’re already planning on flying all that way across the pond, you’ll probably plan to stay for a bit longer than just a quick trip.”
“Hmm, is that so?” Warmth spread through me.
He swallowed. “Maybe just until forever?” His voice cracked.
My mouth parted.
“You don’t have to answer right now,” he said. “Take the rest of the summer to think about it. I know it’s far away and your career is just taking off.”
I opened my mouth.
“I don’t expect you to drop your entire life to go live with some stranger from the internet—”
I held up a finger to his mouth to stop his anxious rambling. “Charles,” I said firmly, and he frowned. “My Charlie. RC. Myrealreal Charlie. Chuck. All of you. Whatever name you go by, you are my go-to person. And have been for some time.”
“You are mine too.” He pulled me close and squeezed me tight.
“And the fact of the matter is, I’m almost done with the next draft of my book. The publisher will need it by fall. You’ll probably have to read through some things. There are some particular scenes that I might need your help staging,” I said, biting my lip.
He cleared his throat. “I’m very amenable to that request. In any way I can help.”
“Good. Because I have some … plot holes, we might have to …fillas soon as tonight.”
He laughed with the shake of his head. “Kate,” he growled, face inches from mine.
“And as far as your request for me to come stay at the Vicarage?” I asked.
He waited, still as ever.
I leaned in, mouth parting to kiss him. Just before our lips met, I said, “I’ll have my people call your people and we’ll set something up.”
46
A Year or So Later
