AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And he knew that didn’t come easy to her. He’d cherish her trust every single day.
Breakfast was delicious. He took that moment to tell her everything that had occurred while she’d been gone. Finding the secret room and all the evidence that would put Mark away for a long time. Also how they had found the hit man and there was nothing to worry about anymore. When they were done eating, Eve told him to call Juliet and Bryce and tell them that she had returned. They didn’t waste any time coming over. Bryce hugged her like a brother should—with love and affection. Juliet held on longer, giving her the reassurance she had needed that she wasn’t angry with her.
“It’s so good to have you back,” Juliet said as they all settled into the living room. “Of course, take a few days off. When you’re ready to come back to work, we’ll be ready to eat your goodies.” Then her expression turned to horror. “Unless you don’t want to work at the cafe anymore. Of course not. You own a hotel chain!”
Eve reached over to Juliet and squeezed her hand. “Baking is something I love. You’ll have to fire me if you don’t want me coming to the cafe.”
“Never gonna happen,” Juliet confirmed.
“While I plan to stay active in the company, it’s not my main focus. It’s not my passion.”
“Whew!” Juliet wiped a hand across her brow in jest. “I’d miss you if you left.”
“I’m here to stay.” Eve looked at Griffin, locking her fingers with his. “This is my home.”
He’d never tire of hearing that.
“Are you seeing what I’m seeing, Bryce?” Juliet whispered.
Griffin could only chuckle at his sister’s bemused face. “Eve’s moving in. As soon as I can buy a ring, it will be official that we’re getting married as well.”
“Oh no, sir. It’s official right now, ring or no ring. You asked me to marry you, and I accepted,” Eve insisted.
Before Griffin could respond, Juliet was squealing in delight. Congratulations went around the room and the need to argue about it was over and forgotten. Though he’d be buying a ring tomorrow at the latest. He wanted a ring on her finger.
Maybe she’d be up for a Christmas wedding, around the actual holiday.
Epilogue
A few months later - early December
Eve shiveredfrom the cold that followed her inside, then stomped her boots on the rug. The merry tune coming from the speakers made her smile. To think she hated the dratted music when she first arrived. Now she felt lost without hearing it all the time.
She greeted the few customers already in the cafe, chatting as she walked to the kitchen. Chip was deep into kneading the dough at the counter, hopping and bopping to the music.
“Morning, Eve. Looking cold.”
She giggled at the assessment because it was true. She’d grown up in Florida all her life, and while she’d traveled around the world at different times, she didn’t remember waking up to such coldness before. Minnesota’s winter was about to be a rude awakening for her. It started snowing last night and she woke up to at least six inches. It had yet to stop. Griffin had driven her to work, which had eased her worries about driving in the snow. Something she had never done before.
“Why didn’t anyone warn me how cold it could get?”
Chip laughed. “You haven’t seen anything yet!”
That’s what worried her.
“You know, I’ve gotten used to Christmas during the months you’re not supposed to celebrate it, but it’s weird how snow adds an extra merriment I didn’t realize this town was missing.”
“Yeah, fake snow doesn’t cut it in the summer months. Real snow is nice.” Chip’s brows cocked high. “Only for a few weeks though. Give it time and you’ll be sick of it real quick. Trust me.”
Somehow, she knew she should. Well, she’d enjoy it right now. The whiteness everywhere. The plows making tiny hills in spots. The kids with their smiles. The snowflakes as they filtered to the ground looking so pretty.
“Where’s Juliet?” Eve asked as she tossed on her apron. Tabitha had been in the front along with the recently hired girl, Dawn, but Eve had yet to eye Juliet anywhere.
“Running late. Her tires suck, and she’s knows it. She got stuck in her driveway.”
Twenty minutes later, Juliet arrived via the back. Eve saw Duke’s patrol car drive away before the door fully closed. They’d been spending more time together recently, not that Juliet would admit to feelings for the man. Eve had tried to pry, and Juliet had brushed it off.
“Welcome to your first snowfall. What do you think?” Juliet asked as she shook off all the snow from her hat and jacket.
