Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“What do I win if I hit all three targets?” I asked
“If you miss all three, you get a sticker.” Eric held up his consolation prize.
“Hit all three, and you can win your choice of Valentine’s bears.” Tony indicated a row of large stuffed bears, all wearing mini Mount Hope Football shirts while holding either balloons, a bag of candy, or a box of chocolates.
“Fair enough.” I studied the targets more closely, planning my attack.
“No pressure.” Eric shifted the cake to one hand so he could give me a fast pat on the back. “I’m good with my duck.”
Naturally, his—our—entire friend group had gathered to watch me throw, along with John and Wren. No pressure. But suddenly, I truly wanted to win my guy a prize in front of what felt like the whole damn town. I breathed deeply, returning to the past again, but this time as a source of strength rather than bittersweet memories.
Bang. Bang. Bang. I hit all three targets, a little luck mixed with my skill, and blew on my knuckles to get another laugh from the crowd.
“Well, go pick your valentine.” I motioned Eric forward.
“Think I already have.” He gave me a pointed look, more heat in his gaze than I would have expected given the public place. Our retreat to the carriage house couldn’t come soon enough.
“Did Wren tell you I’m staying at Elliot’s?” John asked, tone deceptively casual as Eric examined the lineup of bears.
“Oh?”
“Your dogs are already in the house.” His voice was serious as he held my gaze. Something passed between us. Not exactly permission. Respect. That was it. An acknowledgment of sorts. He nodded. “You might as well sleep there too.”
“Noted,” I said gruffly, throat rough and itchy. “Thank you.”
“All right, I picked a bear, but you’re carrying it back.” Eric pointed to the gaudiest of the bunch, one that held a rainbow Pride balloon, along with a bag of conversation hearts. “I’ve got the cake to manage.”
“You’re lucky I love you,” I said without thinking.
“Do you now?” Eric tilted his head. I could easily play the moment off with a laugh, but I was tired of playing it safe. Like Diesel had observed, that wasn’t my style.
And so, with a whole circle of onlookers, I nodded, tone solemn. “Yeah, yeah, I do. I love you.”
“Good.” Eric’s cheeks were bright pink, but his smile was wide and easy. “Me too. Let’s go home before we scandalize the townsfolk.”
Home. I’d never felt the word more deeply than in that instant. Home was Mount Hope, Eric, and the house, all three.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Eric
By the time Magnus and I made it home, the house was quiet. Maren had texted that she, Diesel, and the baby had all gone to sleep early in their basement room. John and Wren had also left for their respective sleepovers, leaving Magnus, me, and all our loot from the fair.
“This bear truly is ridiculous.” Magnus stared down at the grinning stuffed bear he’d tucked into the crook of his arm.
“Which is why he’s going in the center of the table.” Finished making room in the fridge for the cake Wren had won, I plucked the bear from Magnus’s arms and set him on the breakfast nook table. “He’s the cheesiest valentine I’ve ever received.”
“You sound proud.” Magnus shook his head at my ridiculousness, but I kept right on smiling. I’d had other valentines, of course, but at the moment, I couldn’t remember one I’d liked more than my bear or the duck that I set next to it.
“I am.” There was something sweetly spontaneous as well about Magnus winning me the presents, being willing to risk failure in front of a crowd simply to win a prize for me. Further, with him, I could show exactly how much I liked the gesture. “I like that I can be silly around you, cheesy gifts, bad comedies, terrible jokes. All that.”
“Hey, I like your taste in movies.” He drew me to him, but before we could get too distracted, I wriggled free to pull a folded paper from my pocket.
“And I have a sort of cheesy valentine for you.” I handed him the paper.
“Your April duty calendar?” Tilting his head, he studied it more closely.
“Well, my first thought was to surprise you with a trip, but I figured you’d want to have a say in the where. However, I reserved eight consecutive days off in April. My first actual vacation days not tied to a family event in years.”
“Go you.” Magnus sounded decidedly bemused by my gesture.
“It’s after ski season and before summer tourism, so maybe you can get away from The Heist? The baby should hopefully be sleeping better by then too, but even if not, Rowan has agreed to come help that week.” I hadn’t wanted to leave Maren and Diesel without assistance, and luckily, Rowan was only too happy to come play uncle.