Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
To my relief, Emma May doesn’t try to deny it. She sends me a pleading look. “You have to understand. I just wanted my son to rejoin the land of the living.”
I say, “You have to tell him. He’s going to think we manipulated him. He’s going to think I manipulated him.” I shake my head at that realization. “I have to go.” Moving past her, I start toward the exit for the fairgrounds.
I duck my head as I walk so no one can see the tears that have started to flow. The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt Whiskey, but now he’s going to think that I was trying to trick him.
A strong hand reaches out and grabs my arm, stopping me. I glance up to see Whiskey standing there. All around us, the crowd continues to surge forward.
The winners of the pumpkin judging contest are about to be announced, and a lot of people want to get close to the stage to hear the results. “What are you doing?” he asks me. His hand is still on my arm, the warmth of his skin seeping in even through the thick layer of his jacket.
The jacket he gave me less than an hour ago when I thought that we had a future together. He deserves to know the truth. Swallowing hard, I say, “Whiskey, your mom just told me—”
His eyes soften, and he interrupts me before I can finish. “I know.” He says, “I know what she said, and I don’t care. I don’t care if she orchestrated the whole thing. I don’t even care if you were in on it, which I don’t think you were. I only care if you love me back.”
I gasp at his words. “What?”
He says, “I’m in love with you.” He repeats the five words so casually, as if he hasn’t rearranged my entire world with them.
Now I’m still crying, but for an entirely different reason. My heart feels full to the bursting point. “I’m in love with you, too.”
Movement just beyond Whiskey’s shoulder catches my attention, and I frown when I recognize the same straight black hair that I have. I wave to get my mom’s attention and ask, “What are you doing here?”
Whiskey says, “She’s here because I have a question to ask you.” Before I can figure out what’s going on, he’s down on one knee.
He looks up at me, affection and tenderness shining in his gaze. He says, “I love you, Sophie. When we’re both old and decaying, you’re the one I want to be searching for brains with. Be my wife in this life and the afterlife.”
I laugh at his proposal because it’s ridiculous and crazy and silly and so very us. I throw myself into his arms, peppering his face with kisses as I agree to marry him.
He chuckles. “I’m going to take this response as a yes.” I smack his shoulder.
“I can’t believe you asked me to marry you on the first date.” He gives me a grin, one that tells me he’s just as happy as I am. “When you know, you know.”
Chapter 14
Sophie
“What are you doing?” I laugh as Whiskey squishes into the hotel room shower stall with me. His big frame takes up plenty of space, but I don’t mind sharing with him.
“Showering with my future wife,” he answers casually, pausing to kiss my forehead. Then he reaches for the shampoo and gestures for me to turn around, so he can wash my hair. He loves looking after me. I think he’d do everything for me if I let him.
“As soon as the race is over, we’re driving straight home,” I tell him as he massages my scalp. “I’m looking forward to that burger you promised me from Ernie’s Diner.”
“I’m going to get you the biggest burger,” he promises. Today is the day of the race. We drove up yesterday and spent the evening in a hotel room. We could have driven up this morning, but I wanted to look around at some of the shops in Asheville.
As we were exploring the city, Whiskey kept stopping to point out the recovery efforts that were being made since Hurricane Helene. It left a lot of destruction and damage, but the people of this city and the surrounding areas have an unmistakable spirit of resilience. They’re survivors who are rebuilding their lives and their homes. That’s something to be proud of.
“With extra fries.” Ernie’s fries are legendary. After the festival, my mom stayed in Courage County for a day. I was able to show her around and introduce her to the people and places that I love. She gave me a soft smile before she left and told me she was glad I found where I belong.
Next week, I’ll start working at Mallory’s shop, Sew Cute. I’m excited to be in her store. I’m even more excited that I get to take my years of experience transforming people with makeup and use those same skills to make other women feel beautiful.