Holiday Promise (Hollyberry Harbor #2)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

One Year Later

Blake held onto Melody’s hand as they skated on the lake. This was one tradition he could get behind. Max skated a few feet ahead of them. He skills had improved a lot over this season, a fact that Melody reminded Blake about frequently.

He glanced over at her, finding her smiling. Little did she know what he had planned for the evening. They wouldn’t do it here. He’d always thought that a proposal should be done in quiet, intimate surroundings. For now, he fully intended on enjoying this moment with Melody.

The last year had been one of the most memorable ones he’d had in a long time. Spending more evenings at home had been difficult to accomplish, but he’d prioritized it.

“What?” she asked.

His brows lifted, and he shook his head. “Nothing.”

“I know that look. It’s not nothing,” she laughed. “What are you planning?”

“Planning? I’m not planning anything.” He chuckled, tearing his gaze away from her. “I’m just happy.”

Melody leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m happy, too.” They continued skating, and she sighed. “Do you remember where we were this time last year?”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’ll never forget it.”

“Any regrets?”

Blake stopped and peered down at her. “Regrets? What kind of regrets?”

She shrugged. “Our relationship didn’t quite start out the way a normal one would.”

This time he laughed. “And what would you call normal? People fall in love in all sorts of ways. Sometimes it happens naturally, sometimes two people are thrust together against their better judgement.”

Melody tilted her head, her eyes sparkling. “And which one would you say we are?”

He grasped her chin with his finger and thumb before brushing a kiss to her lips. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Her eyes fluttered, her coy smile tempting him to steal another kiss.

“Dad,” Max groaned behind Melody. “You promised.”

Blake stiffened as Melody turned to look at his son.

She glanced at Blake with questions in her eyes. “What promise?”

Max folded his arms, pouting. “You promised you wouldn’t ask her without my help.”

Once again, Melody shot a confused look in Blake’s direction.

Blake shook his head and waved his arm, but it was too late.

Max skated toward them and held out his hand. “You said I could give it to her. It’s my turn.”

“Not yet, kiddo. We haven’t?—”

Max tugged on Melody’s coat. “My dad said I could help ask you. But he didn’t wait for me. So I get to give you the ring.”

Melody let out a laugh as Blake groaned.

He dragged a hand down his face. “I told you we would do it at home after ice skating. I haven’t asked her anything yet.”

For a moment, Max didn’t seem to understand that he’d let the cat out of the bag. Then the realization hit him. His brows puckered and he shifted his wide gaze to Melody. His lips formed an ‘o’, then he turned as red as the poinsettias that dotted the harbor.

Melody laughed again, then set an apologetic smile on Blake. “I guess the cat is out of the bag.”

He shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you know what Melody is talking about, Max?”

To his credit, Max shook his head, but it wasn’t enough.

“Okay, you guys. You might as well get on with it. I can’t think of a more perfect place, nor a more perfect time.” She skated a few feet away from him, turning as she got to Max’s side. Folding her arms, she gave Blake a pointed look. “Well? You promised him. What do we say about breaking promises, Max?”

His son’s eyes darted from Melody to Blake. Then his face reddened further.

Blake laughed. “I think we’ve been found out, buddy.” He shoved his hand into the inside pocket of his coat. His fingers wrapped around the small box he’d had for the last four months. “You don’t know how hard it was to hold on to this and not give it to you the day I bought it.”

Her eyes widened as Blake lowered himself onto the ice. People who were nearby stopped their skating as Blake motioned for Max to approach. “Well? What are you waiting for? This is your part.”

Max beamed, his red face returning to a normal shade for the weather. Blake placed the box in his hand and ruffled his son’s hair. Max turned and skated a little wobbly toward Melody. The grin on his face was unmistakable. He held up the box. “Miss Melody? Will you marry my dad?”

Melody dropped down onto Max’s level, tears brimming in her eyes. When Max pried open the box, she gasped. Her attention shifted to Blake.

“We want you to be part of our family—for good.”

Max nodded. “If I get to have another mom, I want her to be you.” Tears fell down Melody’s face, and Max turned back to Blake with concern. “You didn’t say she’d be sad.”

“Oh, sweetie, I’m not sad,” Melody laughed through her tears. She pulled him close and kissed the top of his head. “These are happy tears.”

Max pulled back, unsure. “Really?”

“Really, really.” She motioned to Blake. “I would love to be your bonus mom.”

His son turned a relieved look toward Blake, his smile returning. “You hear her, Dad? She said yes.”

Blake’s eyes locked with Melody’s. “Not all the way yet, kiddo.”

Melody threw back her head with another laugh. “Yes,” she called. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Applause and cheers surrounded them. Blake pulled Melody to her feet and then picked up his son. The three of them grouped together in a hug he wouldn’t soon forget.

Then he withdrew, making sure Melody was focused on him when he made his final offering. “I was thinking of bringing my company to Hollyberry Harbor. Then I wouldn’t have to travel so much for work.”

She shook her head, her hand placed against his cheek. “Hollyberry Harbor is perfect the way it is. As much as I love you, I don’t want our town to change. Just… make sure you’re home for supper as often as you can.”

“Nothing would make me happier.” Blake glanced around. “Now, where is some mistletoe when you need it?”

Melody tugged him close, a smile touching her lips as they both heard Max’s comment.

“Dad, just kiss her.”

Find out what happens when Sally and Brady must decide if they’re willing to take a chance on love—or let their differences keep them apart in a town he already loves and is starting to grow on her.