Page 94 of A Simple Life

He nodded, then dropped to a knee in front of me. “Let’s add a little day magic, okay?”

“John,” I whispered, feeling breathless. “What are you⁠—”

“Shh, Momma. He needs to talk,” Abby said, tapping her lips.

I nodded, the tears already forming in my eyes even as I grinned at her bossiness.

“I’m not good at romantic gestures, Quinn, but I’d like to spend the rest of my life getting better at them. With you.”

He took in a deep breath. “You agreed to marry me as part of a demand, and I think your life has had too many demands already. I want it to be because you want to. I want you to marry me as much as I want to marry you. We both want a simple life, but I think, together, we’ll make it extraordinary.”

He reached out and took my hand and Abby’s. “I want to marry you both. Make you my family. We can start with the three of us and build from there. Make a life together. With me, your hearts are safe. You are safe. You belong with me.”

He dug in his pocket and pulled out a flat box, handing it to Abby. She opened it and squealed at the pretty gold pumpkin with tiny emeralds for eyes. “You stole my heart with your smile, Pumpkin. Can I marry your momma and be your daddy for the rest of my life?”

She launched herself at him, hugging him hard. “Yes!”

He sat her on his knee. “Your turn, Quinn. I know you said you didn’t need a ring, but I wanted you to have one.” He indicated the bow on the flowers. “That one is very special to me. I never thought I would meet a woman amazing enough to give it to, but you have proven me wrong.”

I looked down, picking up the ribbon, where a ring sat. The wide gold band was dotted with emeralds and diamonds. Small, twinkly gems that glimmered in the light. “This belonged to my gram. My gramps gave it to me with the farm and told me one day I’d find the right person to share both with. And darlin’—that’s you.” He swallowed and paused. “Will you marry me, Quinn? Make my life complete? Let me belong to you?”

Unable to speak, I nodded. He took the ring off the ribbon, sliding it on my finger.

He smiled. “Perfect. Just like you.”

Then he kissed me.

And I knew my life had changed forever.

John was right. Together, we would be extraordinary.

It was as simple as that.

EPILOGUE

A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER

QUINN

Iwandered the venue, straightening a fork, retucking a napkin, making sure everything was perfect. It didn’t matter how often I walked this floor, looked at the wall of glass, or watched as a couple took their first spin on the dance floor as husband and wife, this room took my breath away.

I sat on a chair, recalling my wedding to John, a year ago today. We had been married late in the evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness kissed the sky. The fairy lights glowing around us, the flickering of the candles, and the scent of the flowers were things I would always recall about that day.

John wore a suit, looking handsome and sexy, a single rose pinned on his lapel. Abby wore a sparkly pink dress, and I chose a simple, lacy tea-length gown in a pale gold that glimmered in the subdued lighting. Abby and I walked the short distance together, John insisting on including her in our ceremony. There hadn’t been a dry eye in the house as he’d spoken of loving his two girls and being the man privileged to watch Abby grow.

We had celebrated hard. Eaten, drank, and danced the night away. Returned to the farm as husband and wife, John carrying me over the threshold. We had barely made it to our room before his suit and my pretty dress were on the floor.

I had been glad we hadn’t planned to pick Abby up until later the next afternoon. We were delayed getting there, and I doubted anyone believed John’s explanation of engine trouble.

Then we started our life together.

I still had the restaurant, but I also helped Helen run her wedding location. We offered delicious, local fare, made from the freshest ingredients. Handmade. Served by neighbors and friends.

The place was a roaring success, and it was booked solid for the next two years.

“What are you thinking about?”

I startled at John’s voice, smiling as he walked toward me, a bouquet in his hand.