Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Shush, you.” I narrow my eyes. “You’re the one who keeps me up all night.”
“Guilty as charged.” He shrugs and reaches for his coffee as soon as I put it down in front of him. “By the way, I have to run out a little later today.”
“Awesome, where are we going? More stuff to see in Snow Valley?” I take a sip of my coffee.
“I actually have to make this trip on my own.” He shrugs. “It’s a surprise.”
“Hmm.” I narrow my eyes in the most suspicious stare I can muster.
“It’s no big deal; I promise.” He laughs.
I trust Nate, but I was looking forward to spending another day with him. I realize it isn’t going to be possible forever. He took time off work because he knew I was coming, but eventually, life will return to whatever our new version of normal is.
Nate and I spend the morning together and then he leaves me with a kiss and a promise that I’m going to get a whole lot more than that when he gets home. The man knows how to make an exit, that’s for damn sure. I spend my time alone looking at his photos, organizing a few things that have been in disarray since I arrived, and cleaning up a little bit.
I know I’m going to have to get a job once I get settled in Snow Valley. I used to believe the life of luxury was my destiny, but after my family lost everything, I realized that I didn’t want to be completely dependent on anyone else again. That includes Nate, no matter how fast I’m falling head over heels for him. I’ll always need to be able to stand on my own two feet.
I hear Nate’s truck outside after he’s been gone for several hours, and I have to control myself because I want to run straight into his arms.
“Miss me?” He opens the door and walks inside.
“A little…” I smile. “I found a way to entertain myself.”
“Um, yes you did.” He looks around at everything I’ve organized and cleaned up since he’s been gone. “You really didn’t have to do that.”
“If this is going to be my home, I want to help.” I nod.
“Then I think it’s time we made that official, wouldn’t you say?” He walks closer to me.
“What do you mean?” I give him a blank stare.
“This…” Nate drops down on one knee, and before I realize what is happening, he has a ring box in his hand.
“Oh my god!” My hands go to my mouth in shock.
“I know you came to Snow Valley to be my bride, but I wouldn’t feel right about standing at the altar with you unless we were properly engaged.” He opens the ring box. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I nearly jump off the couch and literally pounce on him with a hug. Thankfully, he catches me.
The ring is beautiful. It fits me perfectly. I can barely look away from it because of how it sparkles. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I came to Snow Valley, but it was the best decision I ever made. I’m going to be Nate’s wife. Whatever trajectory my life would have taken doesn’t matter now. I want him by my side for the rest of it.
“You promised me more than a kiss when you got home.” I look at the ring. “Was this what you meant?”
“Part of it…” He smiles, and his hands begin to move to the front of my jeans. “But not all.”
“Good, because I did make the bed while you were gone.” I lean against his ear. “I was kind of hoping we could mess it up.”
“You’re damn right we will.” He unsnaps my jeans and lifts me up as he stands.
Nate is a fighter. He’s rough around the edges. He probably has a few skeletons in his closet I don’t want to know about. None of that matters. I know he’ll fight for what we have, and the rest of our lives together will be perfect.
This is going to be the best Christmas of my life, and the first of many I spend in Snow Valley.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Matt by S.E. Law
Chapter One
Jenna
After being on the road for a few months, there’s nothing I crave more than a home-cooked meal. There’s only so much McDonald’s and greasy diner food that a girl can stand. Give me something hearty and homemade, crafted with love, and served on a cute Corelle plate with a glass of ice-water. After so many weeks of being on the road with my band, that’s my definition of bliss.
Thankfully, my grandparents are always down to deliver.
“Jenna!” Grandma Carrie says as she opens the door. She pulls me insistently into a hug, and I melt into her familiar embrace. Grandma and Grandpa raised me from age four on, after my folks died in a car accident. I never feel more at home than when sweet Grandma Carrie has me wrapped in her arms.