Page 95 of Manors & Mischief

“Everything’s plugged in?”

“Yep.”

She laughs as she tries the mic again. She shrugs, and I can see all the confidence she’s gained by being here. Before, having something go wrong would’ve been a testament to how she’s failing, but this time, she just laughs it off. Instead, she stands in front of the room and calls for everyone’s attention.

My God, but she’s beautiful.

The murmurs around the room come to a halt. She may be dressed like a vampire queen, but all I see is Ember. My Ember. She’s flourished here, and I know her parents can see it. I peek over at them, and they’re smiling from ear-to-ear.

“Thank you all for coming tonight. I’m so sad to see the season end, but I couldn’t be more proud of Harvest Falls and what we’ve accomplished this year. Earlier, the mayor gave me some stats, and I wanted to share them with you now. Over one thousand more visitors came to Harvest Falls this year than the previous year. Businesses in the area flourished. We drank over 10,000 cups of cider. I can’t blame us,” she says as an aside and a ripple of laughter rips through the crowd. “I know that the manor was just a small part in this year’s festivities, but on behalf of this beautiful house and this beautiful town, I would like to give everyone a warm round of applause.”

The room erupts. Ember is like a shining beacon in the middle of it all.

“And since I have everyone’s attention,” she continues after it quiets. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the manor’s volunteers throughout the season for tonight, and every night before. I would also like to thank my parents for making the journey here to see what I do on a daily basis. Of course, I’d like to thank the mayor for her continued support in my efforts to revive Sleepy Hollow Manor, but mostly, I would like to thank my partner in business and in life, Devon Lachey, who has stood by me, encouraged me, and loved me. Sleepy Hollow Manor is going to be a success because of you.”

Another round of applause sounds, and I have to swallow. I’m humbled. Ember lifts her drink, and then we all drink to her toast.

Afterward, she gets stopped by several people. I see her sincerely, and with as much sweetness as she can muster, try to extricate herself from them so she can make her way to me.

My mom tries to intervene, but she holds up a finger. “Hold that thought, Mayor, I need to kiss your son.”

Ember lifts to her tiptoes and seals her lips to mine. I take it in, as if bottling the feeling so I can bring it up any time I need it. When we break apart, I quirk a brow at her. “Partners, huh?”

“Partners,” she clarifies. “And when I get a ring on my finger, I’ll put your name on the deed.”

We both laugh. Neither of us are in a hurry. We talk about it like it’s an inevitability because it is. Ember and I are meant to be together, and once I’m well, once I’m able to fend for myself, I’ll start the process. Plan the date. Pick out the ring. The faster we pledge ourselves to the other, the better.

Ember O’Malley will be mine forever.

She tugs at my hand. “I have a plan for us.”

“I always like the sound of that.”

She tows me into the foyer and hands me my coat. She helps me get it on, and then waits as we walk outside. The air has turned cold. Halloween is tomorrow, and soon after, we’ll be in the coldest months of the year. She shivers a little, and then leads me down the steps and through the woods.

Once we start through the trees, I know where we’re going. She brings a flashlight so I won’t fall on my face, but it’s a slow trek.

“When we get that walkway put in, this’ll be so much easier.”

“So much,” I state. Eventually, we end up at the well.

By all looks of it, it’s nothing special, especially in the dark. It hides away as if it’s become one with the forest.

Ember, however, has done something because once we’re next to it, several spotlights turn on, showing off the well in all its disheveled beauty.

“What’s this?”

“Well, originally I was going to have Randy clean it up, but then I figured this is something you’d want to do yourself. So, instead, I wanted to show off a small sliver of what it could be. Also, I wanted to give you this.”

She hands me several sheets of paper. It’s legal. She waits for me to read it as she lowers her head into her scarf.

“What is it?”

“I broke off the sliver of land that the well sits on, and I’m deeding it to you, so you and only you will be able to own it.”

I blink, swallowing down the waves of emotion. I smile at her. “Ember, you couldn’t be more perfect, but I don’t want it if it has nothing to do with you.”

“You don’t?”