Chapter 74

seventy-four

PAUL

I rinsed the last baking pan and stared through the kitchen window. Working from Candy Lane was like opening a wonderful Christmas present each day of the week. Jonathon and his staff were fantastic and the community loved my cakes.

Everything would have been perfect if I didn't miss Liam so much. I hoped he was enjoying his job and settling into his new life in Chicago. Some days, just thinking about how far he was from Sunrise Bay made me want to cry.

"Penny for your thoughts," Jonathon said from the kitchen doorway of the candy store.

I shook the doom and gloom from my shoulders. "I was thinking about Valentine's Day. I've already had two cake orders and another three people are finalizing their designs. It could be hectic."

"That's what I think, too. I've got a feeling we'll be working most weekends to meet demand."

Amy looked up from her drawing. "I don't mind. I like being at the candy shop. "

I smiled. "Especially when Jonathon makes his chocolate fudge."

Amy's face broke into a smile. After everything that had happened, it was good to see.

"Mrs. Fraser came to buy some candy this morning," Jonathon said to Amy. "She said the library's having a pet day in a couple of weeks. The animal shelter will be taking lots of animals you can cuddle. You should ask Uncle Paul if you can go."

I sent Jonathon a withering glance. A guinea pig or fish I could handle. But Amy had her heart set on adopting a cat or a dog. It was hard enough balancing my work in the bakery with Amy's time at school. Goodness knew how we'd get on with an animal in the house.

The tinkle of the store's doorbell brought Jonathon to his feet. "Work calls. Let me know how you get on with the library visit, Amy." He smiled at me and left the kitchen.

Amy grinned and jumped off the kitchen stool. She opened her backpack and handed me a picture. "I drew this at school yesterday. Mrs. Fraser talked to our class, too. She told us about the animals she's taking to the library. Can we go?"

I studied the drawing. Unless I was mistaken, I couldn't see any animals in the picture. "Are you sure you've given me the right drawing?"

"I think so." Amy stood on tiptoes beside the counter.

I showed her the picture.

"Oops." Amy's face turned bright pink. "That's the wrong one."

While Amy pulled everything out of her backpack, I looked more closely at the picture. Two men wore black superhero costumes. Beside them, a little girl held a basket of… I squinted at the basket. Was that gingerbread men? Su rrounding all three people was an enormous love heart and lots of stars.

I looked at Amy's embarrassed face. "Did you show this picture to Liam?"

"Not the real one," she muttered.

"What do you mean?"

Amy slowly rose from the floor. "Mrs. Polanski showed me how to use the scanner. I emailed the picture to Liam."

"What did he say?"

"That you're the most incredible person in the world and I want to marry you," said a familiar voice behind me.

The picture fell out of my hands. I spun around and stared at Liam. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm proposing to the man of my dreams. Isn't that right, Amy?"

"Yes, but you have to give Uncle Paul the roses," she whispered.

"I forgot," he whispered back. He walked across to me and held a bouquet of red roses toward me. "You were right. It's too easy to look to the future and not appreciate the people around you. I've found my home with you and Amy, and I'd like us to be a family."

I held the roses in my arms, feeling so confused. "I thought…" I tried to make sense of what was happening. "What about your job in Chicago?"

"I'm transferring to the Boulder office in two weeks. It's not a management position, but I'll be closer to you and Amy."

"Your dad will be disappointed."

Liam's smile faded. "Is this your way of saying you don't want to marry me?"

My mouth dropped open. That was the last thing I wanted him to think. "No, that's not what I'm saying. I thought your dad was looking forward to living closer to you."

"He is, but he doesn't mind moving."

"Tell Uncle Paul about Timmy," Amy said excitedly.

A dull red blush spread along Liam's cheeks. "I asked Dylan and Alex if they'd foster the little kitten Amy saw at the animal shelter. It'll only be until I find somewhere to live in Sunrise Bay."

I looked into Liam's eyes and sighed. "Is there anything you haven't thought of?"

"Just this." He brushed his hand along my jaw. "I was an idiot to think I could live a happy life without you and Amy. I am madly, deeply, and truly in love with you, Paul Stevens." Liam reached into his pocket and opened a small black box. "Will you marry me?"

My eyes filled with tears. The gold wedding band was beautiful, but I wasn't ready to say yes. Not yet.

I wrapped my arm around Amy's shoulders. "What do you think? Should I marry Liam?"

Amy bit her bottom lip. "Liam said if he marries you, he'll be my daddy."

I nodded. "That's right."

"I asked Santa if Liam could be my daddy 'cos I love him. Liam was my Christmas wish."

"I didn't know that."

"He's special," Amy said quietly. "He shows me how to do things and he knows when I'm happy or sad. I want Liam to stay with us."

I knelt on the floor and hugged Amy. "I want that, too." As I stood, I took a deep, steadying breath. One word, one simple, three-letter word would change our lives forever. "Yes," I whispered.

Liam's eyes widened. "Yes? "

I nodded and gently wiped the tears from his face. "I want to marry you and spend the rest of our lives together. I love you, Liam."

He lifted the ring out of the box and, with trembling hands, slid it along my finger. "I love you, too." And before I could take my next breath, Liam swept me into his arms and hugged me close.

Jonathon stepped into the kitchen and sighed. "That's so lovely." He wiped his eyes and reached for Amy. "Your Christmas wish has come true."

Amy grinned. "And I got the best daddy in the world."