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He pulled a keyring from his pocket. “I know.”
She stared openmouthed at the keys, then at Wes.
“What? How did that happen so fast?”
“As soon as I came to my senses and realized that Bayberry is where I want to live, I called the real estate agent and put in an offer. Mrs. Harding accepted, and agreed to rent me the house until we officially close. We met before I came to the dance and she gave me the keys. She told me I could start moving in right away.”
“That’s wonderful!” This evening just kept getting better and better.
Holding her close, he stared deep into her eyes. “I knew there was something special about you all those years ago in junior high. I just didn’t know quite how special. And then I saw you sitting on your backside on the floor of the Steaming Brew—”
“You mean when you knocked me over?” She sent him a teasing grin.
“When I saw you again, you reminded me of all the things I was missing in my life. I don’t want to miss any more special moments. I want to share the good and the bad with you. I want to share everything with you. I love you.”
Happy tears blurred her vision. “I love you, too.”
He got a serious look on his face. “And there’s one more thing you should know.”
The excited rhythm of her heart slowed. She braced herself for bad news. “What is it?
“Your aunt and the employees have asked me to join the management team of the new candle company. I hope you don’t mind working side by side with me.”
No words would do for this moment. Kate had to show him how she felt. Their eyes met before her gaze strayed to his mouth. She lifted up on her tiptoes and leaned toward him. All the while her heart was pounding in her chest. If this was a dream, she didn’t want to wake up.
And then her lips found his. This was definitely no dream. It was so much better.
Epilogue
Christmas morning
It didn’t get any better than this.
Christmas in Bayberry. And there were going to be many more.
The sun wasn’t even up, but Kate was awake. She lay in the dark, reliving the events of the Candlelight Dance, from Wes’s surprise return to the town rallying to save their company, to being held in Wes’s arms.
I love you. His words echoed in her mind as her heart soared.
Last night just couldn’t have been a dream, right? She resisted the urge to pinch herself. If this was a dream, she didn’t want to wake up.
She recalled being guided around the dance floor in Wes’s strong, capable arms. And there had been that kiss. Oh, that kiss. She smiled and hugged her pillow.
She rolled over to look at the clock beside her bed. The glowing green numbers read ten after six. And there was no way she’d be able to go back to sleep. She was too excited. The last time she’d been this keyed up on Christmas morning, she’d been a young child waiting for Santa to bring her a mini bake oven. This Christmas was so much better—so much sweeter.
And then she thought of the mysterious Santa who’d been popping up around town—the Santa whom none of her friends or family had seen. She thought back over what he’d told her, and realized he’d been right. In the end, it had all worked out. Was it possible he really was Santa?
As fast as the thought came to her, she dismissed it. He was just some good-hearted man, trying to make the holidays better for people—Kate included. That was all. Nothing more.
Kate slipped out of bed. Her feet landed on the cold hardwood floor. She hurried to flip on the overhead light, then blinked, giving her eyes a chance to adjust to the bright light. If she couldn’t sleep, she could at least do something productive until everyone was up and ready for the gift exchange. She rushed to pull on sweatpants and a coordinating shirt. Casual wear was the only acceptable dress code in the Taylor house on Christmas morning.
Her phone dinged with a text message. Who in the world would be up at this hour after such a late, amazing night?
It was Wes. What are you doing up so early?
How did you know? she texted back.
Your light is on.
