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“Thank you, dear. You are the sweetest.” With that and a wave, she turned to walk across the adjoining backyards. Mr. Landers nodded to Lucas through the window and followed.
“What was that?” Lucas asked.
“I’d say Miss Natalie is entertain’ a gentleman caller.”
“Again, what was that?”
I smacked him on the arm. Lucas loved to tease me about mySouthernshowing up occasionally. “I guess they aren’t lesbians.”
“Wait’ll the salty sailors find out about this. Miss Nell says there is more than one hoping that they’re bi and might be up for a threesome.”
I stopped short. “She said that?”
“She did,” he said, chuckling as he strolled into the kitchen.
“I’m telling you, Luc, there is more to those ladies than meets the eye.”
As I turned from the door, I noticed a rough wooden shipping box propped against the back wall on the other side of my old desk. The top board was removed. My breath caught. It was the metal flower and bee wall sculpture from the Art Walk.
“Lucas.” I moved closer and stared at it. “You bought it?”
“Of course. You wanted it.” Lucas stepped behind me and wrapped his arms around my middle.
“You bought this for me?”
“Yes, and for me. For us. There was something about it. I bought it not long after I went back to Seattle. It made me feel closer to you. The bee reminds me of you and your sweetness, how hard you work, and how you care for the people around you. I think a bee is your animal. It didn’t feel right to hang it in that space without you. I had my doorman ship it earlier this week. I didn’t want to wait for it to come with the rest of the stuff from my condo. After dinner, we can find a place for it.”
“Lucas.” I turned and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. Then, I jumped and wrapped my legs around his waist because I couldn't stop myself. His hands gripped my ass, and he groaned.
“Baby, we gotta cook. You’re distracting me.”
“It’s your fault. You bought this wonderful thing for me. I … I don’t know what to say.”
“Sure you do. Say those words I like to hear.”
“Yes, Lucas. Yes.”
“No, the other ones.”
I thought for a moment, then kissed across his cheek to his ear. “I love you, Lucas. I love you.”
“That’s it, Sweetness, and I love you back.”
EPILOGUE
Two Weeks Later– Early July
Jo
I woke from a bad dream that I was still at Hill & Ocean, and the last eight months hadn’t happened. But the gray walls of Lucas’s bedroom, our bedroom, greeted me with the rising sunlight. As always, I stretched my hand to the side and met the warm skin of the man I loved. He was here, and I was here. My heart still skipped with joy at my reality.
It was early, very early. The sun came up before five this time of year and didn’t set until close to ten. Which was why the blackout shades were open. After Lucas loved me slowly last night, we’d fallen asleep watching the sunset turn the clouds to pink.
Since Nashville, most of our days were filled morning to night with activity. The Bakker Farms Mountain Biking Resort was opening its eight yurts this weekend. Lucas and Finn were finishing the construction punch-list items, the landscaping, and the firepit area while I helped Emily finish the decor, the welcome baskets, and the party plans for the special weekend.
I’d meet the grocery delivery at the farm in a few hours. As usual, I was cooking in the big barn kitchen and having supplies delivered there. Finn planned to build a meeting space closer to the yurts, but for now, the barn kitchen was home. I even used it for a few catering gigs recently.
Almost immediately, Donna rehired me for the farm meals, and I agreed to chef for the resort. No big surprise. A few days a week, I’d provide fresh happy hour snacks and ready-to-heat breakfast dishes for the next morning. Nothing fancy, just good food for good people.
