Eagle Rock, Montana, six months later…

 

Rori stood out front of the new and improved Prince’s Patisserie, newly rebuilt and ready for the grand re-opening tomorrow. She’d been baking up a storm once they got the final sign-offs on all the inspections. Who knew it was worse to rebuild then start from scratch. Jasper, true to his promise, had been there every step of the way. Even taking a permanent job with the Brotherhood Protectors.

The two guys who’d set the fire flipped on Cynthia Marshall as soon as they sheriff took them into custody. That’s what you get when you hire idiots. Even if they hadn’t, the sheriff had been able to recover their fingerprints from the brake line, and they were going to be in jail for a long time.

Jim’s parents had begged for mercy for their daughter. Pleading that she was not in her right mind. Rori felt sorry for them but the woman was a danger to those around her, and she hadn’t been upset at all when she’d been sentenced to ten years in a medical facility for the criminally insane, even better that it was in Massachusetts. If she never met that woman it would be too soon as far as she was concerned. Although there were times in the middle of the night when she was cuddled up against Jasper that she realized if it hadn’t been for her they’d never have found each other again.

He’d been working on fixing up her parent’s house in his free time. They figured they’d keep it for when they had a family someday. He hadn’t proposed yet, but Rori and Sadie had a little side bet going that it would be soon.

“It looks perfect, Rori. You and Jasper did a great job.”

“For a while there I didn’t think we’d ever reopen.”

“I knew it would work out.”

“Yup, that’s what you said.”

“I’m glad you kept the name the same. I was wondering if you’d change it.”

“Jasper and I talked about it, but he said it was my baby and could call it whatever I wanted. My parents made it possible, so I wanted to keep the name.”

“I hope you baked enough for when you open the doors, I have a feeling you’re going to be packed.”

“I don’t think I could fit anything else in the cases, I even have overflow in the back.”

“What’s Jasper up to?”

“I’m not sure, he was upstairs working on something. Probably getting in to more trouble on Petfinder. He’s determined to get a dog.”

“Dogs, houses, new job, I’d say he’s settled in pretty well.”

“Yeah. I had my doubts in the beginning, but he is a man of his word.”

“Rori?”

“Speaking of the devil.” Jasper was hanging out the upstairs window in their apartment. Sadie laughed.

“What’s up?”

“Can you come up here?”

“Yup, I’ll be right there.”

“I’ll let you go. I’m sure Hank has his hands full with Emma by now.”

“Thanks for your help with getting the bakery ready for tomorrow.”

“My pleasure, I hope it means lots of discounts in my future,” Sadie said as she waved and headed to her car.

Rori went upstairs and found Jasper sitting at the dining room table. “What’s up, baby?”

“I have something for you.”

“What is it?”

“This.” He lifted a single cupcake and handed it to her. It was pitiful but adorable. He’d gotten the icing consistency wrong, and it dripped down the side. He’d been learning to cook at her side and bake too. It had kept her busy all winter while the bakery was under construction. And he’d taught her other things, like how to make love at least fifty different ways, in positions she’d never believed possible. But mostly he proved his love to her day after day.

“Thank you. It’s umm…beautiful.”

“I know it’s not up to your standards, but it’s my first attempt and totally from scratch. I got the recipe off of Pinterest. That website is unbelievable. There’s so much stuff, I wasn’t sure which recipe to try. It all looked so good.”

“Why didn’t you ask me for one of mine?”

“Because I wanted to surprise you. And if I’d have asked you’d have tried to help and that would have defeated the purpose.”

“I’m surprised you even know about Pinterest.”

“I’m a man, but I do pay attention occasionally. I’ve heard you and Sadie talking about how you can find just about anything on there. Aren’t you going to try it?”

The hopeful look in his hazel eyes grabbed at her heart. There wasn’t a thing she’d deny him if it was in her power. It was worth everything she’d been through to have found him, and he’d shown her the true meaning of love.

“Of course.” Carefully peeling the paper wrapper off the side of the cupcake, she took a big bite and hit something hard. As she pulled the cupcake from her mouth, a ring fell into her hand. Covered in cake and frosting was a heart-shaped diamond. Tears welled in her eyes, and she looked up to find him on one knee in front of her.

“My dearest angel, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and making my dreams come true?”

“Yes, oh yes, Jasper.”

“I love you, angel.”

“And I love you, my protector.”

They were both covered in icing and cake before they came up for air and he finally slipped the ring onto her finger.