Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 39414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
The bell jingles, and two women walk in who don’t belong in Devil’s Peak. Too polished. Too sharp. City perfume cutting through cocoa and coffee. One of them has Ellie’s eyes. The other has Ellie’s mouth, the same tight line it makes when she’s bracing for impact.
Ellie stills behind the counter. Not frozen. Just… ready.
Her mother sweeps her gaze over the shop like she’s inspecting a mistake. “So,” she says, voice crisp. “This is it.”
Ellie doesn’t flinch. “This is it.”
Her sister’s eyes dart to me, then away, like she’s deciding whether I’m a phase. “We heard about… everything,” she says, careful.
Ellie leans her elbows on the counter, unapologetic. “Yeah. I’m sure you did.”
Her mother presses her lips together. “We offered you a room.”
Ellie’s smile is all teeth. “You offered me a lecture.”
“That’s not fair,” the sister says.
Ellie shrugs. “It’s accurate.”
I watch Ellie’s hands. They’re steady. Not trembling. Not clenching. Steady like she’s finally standing on her own ground. Wade and Ellie moved to Devil’s Peak from Denver a decade ago and as far as I know, no one in their family has visited them here once. This is the first time I’m seeing this woman after a decade of friendship with Wade.
Her mother’s gaze flicks to my hand, where my wedding band sits like a quiet statement. “And this… marriage.”
Ellie’s eyes sharpen. “Is not up for debate.”
Her mother’s brow lifts. “Ellie. Be serious.”
Ellie straightens, and there’s a heat in her voice that makes the whole shop feel smaller. “I have never been more serious in my life.”
Her sister’s mouth parts. “Ellie—”
Ellie cuts her off gently, which is new. “No. I’m done doing the thing where I shrink so you can feel tall. I built this. I kept it. I fought for it. And I’m not embarrassed of how.”
Her mother’s gaze flicks to me again. “You think this man—”
Ellie’s voice goes quiet and deadly. “He’s not a ‘this man.’ He’s Wyatt. My husband.”
I take one step closer—not to speak for her, just to be there. Ellie’s shoulder brushes my chest, and she doesn’t move away.
Her mother’s nostrils flare. “You’re choosing a life that’s small.”
Ellie laughs once, soft. “No. I’m choosing a life that’s mine.”
A beat of silence.
Then Ellie gestures toward the crowd, the shelves, the warm glow of the shop. “Look around. This isn’t small.”
Her sister swallows, eyes shiny. “It’s… really beautiful.”
Ellie’s expression softens. Just a fraction. “I know.”
Her mother’s gaze hardens, but it can’t stick. Not here. Not with the town lined up and Ellie standing in the middle of her dream like she’s dared the universe to take it again.
Finally, her mother says, stiffly, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Ellie meets her gaze. “I do.”
And then she turns away, moving down the line of customers like her mother is background noise. Like criticism is just static she doesn’t need to tune into anymore.
I watch her for a second too long.
Levi elbows me lightly. “She’s scary.”
“She’s perfect,” I answer.
Levi grins. “Yeah, okay, Romeo.”
Sadie appears beside Levi and slides him a boxed assortment. “One.”
Levi clutches it like a newborn. “Bless you.”
Sadie’s eyes flick to me. “You good?”
I nod once. “She’s good.”
Sadie’s mouth tilts. “Yeah. She is.”
The day runs hot and sweet and loud. The town buys chocolate and tells Ellie they’re proud of her like they’ve been waiting to say it for years. People take selfies with the sign. Mrs. Hargrove tries to pretend she didn’t start a rumor and fails at it.
By the time the last customer leaves, Ellie’s cheeks are flushed and her hair is messy and her smile is soft in the way that makes me want to put my hands on her and never let go.
She locks the door, flips the sign to CLOSED, and turns.
Her gaze finds me immediately.
Not because she needs protection.
Because she wants me.
“I’ve been thinking about your offer.”
“Oh?”
“To annul our marriage.”
“Oh.”
“And I’ve made a decision.”
“Yeah?” I brace myself for the worst. She’s leaving. She doesn’t need me anymore. After everything she can stand on her own two feet and doesn’t want me in her life.
“I’ve decided that you’re not getting rid of me that easily. I’m yours and your mine. Forever. You’re stuck with me.”
“Oh.” I exhale a relieved breath. “Good, because I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Good. I thought you might say that.” She smiles softly, pressing on her toes to kiss my cheek. “Now help me clean up.”
“I’ll do whatever you tell me,” I answer, because it’s true and because her eyes go darker when I say it.
Ellie steps closer, slow and sure. “Careful. I might start believing you.”
I lift a brow. “You should.”
She exhales a laugh, then reaches up and grips the front of my shirt. “You were quiet today.”
“I was watching,” I say.
“Were you?” Her eyes flick down to my mouth, then back up. “Or were you trying not to look like you wanted to drag me into the back room?”