Chapter Nineteen

O ne week before Thanksgiving, Keaton sat in a rental car at a stoplight. He'd left his car at Callie's house, so he'd rented a sub-compact to get to and from Seattle, where he'd flown into. If only Silver Falls or Summit Ridge had an airport.

Cars driving through the intersection, the rain, and the windshield wipers were the only noises. He hadn't turned on the radio. His heart pounded loud enough to count as a bass line and the thoughts in his head provided the lyrics. Comments from his family made up the chorus.

A depressing tune.

One composed of his decisions that he planned—hoped—to rewrite. If only Bragi , the Norse god of poetry and music existed and could provide inspiration and guidance.

Keaton needed some.

Impatient for the light to turn green, he tapped his thumbs against the steering wheel. Not that anything would get him to his destination any faster.

Come on.

He'd been saying that each quarter mile he inched. This wasn't the worst of the traffic. Backups and two fender benders had slowed him down all day.

If only he had more time…

Keaton glanced at the dashboard clock. Grimaced.

The clock was ticking, literally.

He wanted to make the most of every minute—second.

An incoming call rang on his mobile phone. Their family Zoom call had been canceled because his parents and Garrett had plans. Callie, being Callie, suggested a video chat with Keaton and Flynn. Now, two days later, Keaton wished he'd begged off.

Still, it was Callie, and he doubted the call would go long.

Keaton connected hands-free without glancing from the road. He stayed focused on the red brake lights ahead of him.

"Hey Keaton." Flynn yawned.

"You need to sleep, or you'll wind up a patient in the hospital."

"I'm fine, but it sure is light outside. Is there some weird weather anomaly happening in Boston?"

Keaton gripped the steering wheel. He wasn't where they expected him to be, but he hadn't considered the time difference between the west and east coasts. "Not that I know about."

That was the truth. Withholding information wasn't lying.

The truck ahead of him rolled forward and accelerated.

Finally.

Callie gasped. "You're not in Boston, are you?"

Flynn scoffed. "What do you mean? Where else would he be? Boston is his dream."

Keaton had thought that. He loved the university and teaching his classes there, but something had changed within him. He wasn't sure when it had happened, but hearing the words from his oldest brother clarified things.

"That's what I thought too," Keaton admitted.

"About Boston?" Callie asked.

"Everything," he admitted.

"You're living the life, bro." Pride filled Flynn's voice. "You've dreamed about teaching at a prestigious university."

True, but… Keaton adjusted his hands on the steering wheel. "Funny thing about dreams. Sometimes, they come true, and you realize what you wanted wasn't what you really needed."

"How can a dream not be what you need?" Flynn's confused tone suggested his brother was brushing his fingers through his hair. Something Keaton was guilty of too.

"It happens to everyone, Doc." Callie's tone was full of amusement.

"Not me," Flynn shot out. "I've gone after my dream and gotten exactly what I wanted. Couldn't be happier."

"Then let me add ‘at some point' to my statement," Callie corrected.

"An excellent corollary." Keaton had a feeling Callie saw right through each of her brothers in ways Mom and Dad didn't. "Your turn is coming, Flynn. It happened to Garrett. And now me. Callie was always pursuing the dream of her heart, so she bypassed what happened to him and me."

"Forget this nonsense." Flynn's voice sharpened. "What are you doing right now?"

"Driving." A horn honked behind him. "Stuck in traffic."

"Where are you?" Flynn asked.

"Washington."

Callie's squee would have burst an eardrum if Keaton's phone had been against his ear.

"Wait." Flynn paused. "Washington D.C.?"

Keaton's older brother must be exhausted. He was smarter than this. "State."

"For how long?" Callie sounded either breathless or excited. Perhaps a combination of both.

"Not long." Unfortunately. "I'm taking the red-eye on Sunday night, so I'm back on Monday morning in time for my class. I had an interview at Summit Ridge University today."

"Wait. What?" Flynn asked.

"Seriously?" Callie laughed. "This is awesome."

Keaton agreed with his sister. "Yes, it is."

"I don't understand," Flynn said. "Your job in Boston—"

"Is fantastic, but it's not what I want any longer." Saying those words felt oh-so right. "I have my heart set on a different position. A permanent one. I hope I get it."

"I happen to know that position is still open and hasn't been filled." Callie sounded like she was smiling.

Her words brought instant relief.

Keaton lifted his right hand off the steering well and pumped his fist. He hadn't been in touch with Raine per her wishes. That had been the hardest thing he'd ever done. Much harder than packing his office at his old university and leaving for the last time.

So many what-ifs had run through his mind as he made plans for this trip. The same as they did now. Keaton swallowed. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." She didn't miss a beat answering. "Some have applied, but no one has succeeded."

His stomach tightened. "Some?"

"One, who realized he should've never left, er quit. But she wouldn't consider his, um, résumé."

Flynn groaned. "What are you guys even talking about?"

The tension in Keaton's gut lessened. "Excellent. I'm heading there now."

"Wait. There are two jobs in Silver Falls? Which are you applying for?" Flynn asked.

"Both." Keaton turned onto First Avenue. A sense of homecoming washed over him. That was unexpected but welcomed. "I'm almost here."

"Bring me a pumpkin spice latte please," Callie said in a rush.

"What am I missing?" Flynn asked.

Keaton laughed. "Not as much as I've been missing."

"Not funny." Flynn must be clenching his teeth.

"Get some sleep, big brother." Callie spoke before Keaton could. "You're working way too much. Like Keaton said, you need to rest."

Flynn grumbled. "And as I said, I'm fine."

"Watch out, sis. His arrogant and grumpy side is coming out." Keaton parked the rental car in front of Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans. "I've got to go. Wish me luck."

"Good luck, but you don't need it," Callie said. "I'll explain what's going on to our clueless brother."

"Not clueless," Flynn shot back. "You two don't communicate like educated people."

Keaton laughed. "You're the one who can't keep up. That's what happens to the brain when you don't get enough rest. Take care."

He disconnected from the call, set the parking brake, and pulled the keys from the ignition.

The two keys clinked together. The key ring was the definition of boring—a silver ring. Nothing like Keaton's that was in his briefcase. Legend claimed the trollkor kept trolls away. Ever since he'd been carrying his, he'd seen no trolls, but a surprising amount of good luck had come his way. Could there be more to the trollkor than what was written about it over the centuries? Something to research in the future.

No matter what he discovered, he would continue to carry his.

And give them out as Christmas gifts this year.

Stop procrastinating.

Keaton needed to. After a day of traveling and a detour for a half day of interviews, he'd reached his destination.

His destiny?

He hoped so.

His fingers itched to reach inside his bag and pull out his key ring.

Instead, he remained in his car.

Not procrastinating.

Planning.

The parking spot allowed him to look through the coffee shop's front window.

Missed this place.

The placard on the door read open , but the coffee tables were empty.

A sign?

He'd take it as one.

Raine came out of the back with a wipe and a spray bottle.

His heart stumbled.

It matched what was happening in his brain.

All he'd been doing since he met Raine Hanover was stumbling. Dumb luck had kept him from falling on his face though he might crash now.

Not if he remained in the car.

He had too much to lose by sticking with the status quo.

Keaton unbuckled his seat belt. He had to take the risk. What did he have to lose?

Everything.

His throat closed. He thought he'd lost everything in September. Now in November, he knew without a doubt. No job—nothing—was more important than…

He blew out a breath.

Raine wore an orange bandana to keep her hair out of her face. Her multiple earrings gleamed under the lights. She was…

Beautiful.

The orange reminded him of the Boo Bash. Of all the pumpkin spice drinks she'd made for him. Of all the hard work she'd put into the Boo Bash. Of all the sweet kisses they'd shared over the weeks they'd been together.

That wasn't long, but it was enough time for him to know what he wanted.

As he got out of the rental car, he grabbed the gift bag from the passenger seat and nearly laughed at how wrong he'd been about Raine Hanover.

Not his type.

Types were overrated.

Raine was as close to perfection as he would find.

She glanced around the shop, as if checking each tabletop.

He took a breath and exhaled slowly.

Here goes nothing.

Keaton opened the door, and the bell rang. He stepped inside.

She glanced over. Her mouth dropped open. The towel and spray bottle clattered against the floor. She picked them up and set them on the nearest table.

"Sorry if I startled you." His words flew out.

He wanted a do-over because of course she was surprised. Raine thought he was in Boston. He'd arrived without a text or a call. If he blew this…

Her eyes narrowed as if she didn't believe he was there.

Keaton hoped this wasn't a mistake, but he couldn't walk away from her. He'd done that last month when they said goodbye, and it had been the wrong move. One he'd regretted ever since. "Hey."

Not the best opening. Given he might hyperventilate and blow this moment, he was doing what he could.

"Keaton?" Her voice rose at the end of his name.

Yep, surprised. The wariness in her gaze, however, made him feel not completely welcome. He deserved that.

"Back in town to visit your family?" she asked.

"I'm here for a short visit." He wanted to stay, but he had to fulfill his contract. Leaving the other university in the lurch wouldn't be good for anyone involved, especially the students in the two courses he taught.

She picked up the rag. "Enjoying Boston and your new job?"

"Yes, I am." Here goes nothing. He remembered what Callie had said a few minutes ago. "But I have my heart set on a more permanent position in Silver Falls."

Raine's eyes widened. "You've been there less than a month."

"It's long enough for me to know."

"But everything you want is in Boston. Shouldn't you give it more time?"

"Boston's a great city. So much history and things to do. I love the job and university, but I was wrong. Not everything I want is there."

She started to speak and then stopped herself. She tried again. "I don't understand."

"Teaching at a tier-one university is no longer my dream. I have loftier aspirations."

"Are you sure?" The concern in her gaze matched her voice. She clenched and then flexed her fingers. "When some people give up their dreams, they regret it later."

"Not me. I'm not giving up my dream. I have a new dream. A better dream."

She studied him. "You sound certain."

"I am." He took a step toward her. "I know what matters now. I only hope I haven't burned any bridges here."

"Wait? Here here?" Her confused tone matched the questions in her eyes.

"‘Here here' which, if you haven't figured out, happens to be wherever you are."

A slow smile spread across her face. Her eyes brightened, and she stood taller.

Based on Raine's reaction, he hadn't burned his bridges and still had a shot. Excitement pulsed through Keaton. He wanted to high-five someone. Later. When he saw Garrett or Brandt.

She raised her chin. "I've heard employers will overlook short stints when hiring for a desired position if the candidate comes with a solid explanation and excellent references."

"My explanation is simple." He locked on her gaze. "I had blinders on. Couldn't see what was right in front of me. I believed being a tenured professor at a tier-one university was the only way I could be happy. I was focused on reaching my career goals and keeping up with my siblings. I made decisions with my head when I should have been using my heart."

"That's a lot to unpack, but you sound certain."

"I am. I'm ready to move forward." He caught himself. "Or back. Depending on your perspective. But I'm committed to following my heart from now on."

"A big step."

"A worthwhile one." Keaton took a breath. He needed to control himself before he spewed his heart all over the place and made a big mess. "Today, I had an interview at Summit Ridge University."

Her eyes widened. "Forget big. That's a ginormous step."

He nodded. "One reason I'm here today is to lay out my plan for growth and improvement."

"Taking the analogy all the way, I see."

"That's what professors do…at least this one does."

"Go on."

"I should have never left Silver Falls or you. I'm sorry."

"But if you hadn't left, how would you know where you wanted to stay?"

His heart swelled. "You get me."

"Always did."

"I hope you always will." He handed her a present. "I brought you this."

"I've been using the journal you gave me for recipes and ideas for expanding online sales. I haven't written down my thoughts. Not something I want to look back on."

He was to blame for that. "I gave you that for your solo endeavors, so recipes are perfect." He fought his rising nerves. "This is something for us to share."

*

Raine's heart pounded. She couldn't believe Keaton was here or saying all the things she'd only dreamed about hearing.

She opened the gift bag, pushed aside the tissue paper, and pulled out a leather-bound book. It coordinated with the journal he'd given her. "Another thoughtful gift."

"This one is a memory book." Keaton pointed at the ribbon bookmark. "I thought I'd start it off for us. Open to the section I marked."

Raine stuck her finger next to the ribbon to open to the correct page. She read the words written in beautiful script:

I love you, Raine. Marry me?

Love,

Keaton

Raine sucked in a breath. Attached to the end of the ribbon was a stunning engagement ring. Not a traditional diamond solitaire, but a gorgeous decorative band with a diamond and two emeralds on either side.

Her heart pounded. She glanced at him.

He was on one knee. "You haven't answered the question."

She reached toward the counter, grabbed a pen, and wrote one word below his question.

Yes!

Raine showed him the page. "I love you."

"I love you too."

His smile would have lit up the town. Who was she kidding? The state. She must be glowing herself.

"You're my new dream." He untied the ring from the ribbon and slid it onto her finger. "This engagement ring is inspired by the Norwegian Rosemaling pattern. If you'd like something different—"

She jerked her hand away and hid it behind her back. "Try to take it away from me. It's perfect."

"Like us." He stood. "We're perfect together."

"I guess opposites do attract, Professor."

"I'm thrilled mine is a master barista who can make magic with pumpkin spice."

"Oh, I can make magic with a whole lot of other things than that." She kissed him hard on the lips. "Just wait and see."

"There's one more thing I want you to see."

She placed her hand over her racing heart. "Not sure how much more I can take."

He pulled something out of his pocket. "I passed."

Passed? Raine peered closer. Her mouth dropped open. "A food handler's card?"

He nodded. "I took the test online. I got one answer wrong, but I'm certain they're mistaken, so I wrote them about it."

She laughed. "Of course you did, Professor."

"Now I can help you. I mean, help out if you want it."

Joy overflowed. "I'll always want your help. Thank you."

"No, thank you." He kissed her. "Without you, I might not have realized I was chasing the wrong dream."

"You would have figured it out."

He kissed her forehead and then rested his against hers. "I'm happy I figured it out now."

Contentment welled inside of her. She stared at the ring on her finger. "Me, too."