Four months later...

“You have truly outdone yourself, my dear.”

Emotion clogged Claire's throat at Maxine's praise. “I'm so glad you like it.” She squeezed Mitch's hand tighter in her own. He returned the action, and her heart mirrored the love shining from his eyes.

She didn't know how much more love she could take.

“Like it? It's everything I never knew to dream for a winter wonderland wedding.”

The judge and Maxine said their vows in an intimate ceremony at the courthouse, toasting the momentous occasion with a special brew of Maxine's moonshine. But the reception that followed was a city-wide affair at the town hall across from Van Buren square.

Maxine would have loved to have had her wedding at the new gazebo built by Ryker and Jay, but January was a bitterly cold month in Maine and waist-deep in snow. And there was no making that woman wait even one more month to unite with her Teddy bear.

The town hall was draped in white silks with large crystal snowflakes hanging from the beams. A pure white replica of the Cape house sculpted by the town's very own artist, Max Stanton, adorned the center of each bistro table, surrounded by deep purple gumdrops on velvets tablecloths.

Twinkle lights hung throughout the rafters and combined with the crystal snowflakes to cause a shimmering effect, almost as if snow was falling inside the Hall. Deliziosos catered the meal, North Cove Confectionery provided the amazing wedding cake that matched the party’s motif, and the Flat Iron coffeehouse kept the coffee pouring and the night going while Dine on the Vine filled wine glasses to the brim.

But of course, Maxine's own moonshine took center stage as party favors in mini cobalt blue canning jars.

Pride swelled in Claire's chest as she thought over the past four months. Judge Carter pulled some strings and got her a late acceptance into the local university’s psych program to complete the remaining credits of her degree. She still had supervised hours that would need to be met before operating under her own license, but Mitch's contact, Dr. Warner, was overseeing her at the Center with her full-blown art therapy program.

She’d been so focused on the children that it hadn't occurred to her that many local adults needed the service as well until she took a hard look at herself and Mitch and what they had been through. And on top of that, she planned her greatest event yet.

The celebration of Judge Theodore Carter and Maxine Van Buren.

The Van Buren Tribune was covering the event, and the late founder’s granddaughter, Sage Mathews was tucked in a corner, snapping photos.

Claire wanted to throw her arms out wide and do a little spin like a six-year-old in a candy store, but she kept her hand clasped tightly in Mitch's warm grip and pressed a kiss to his cheek instead.

“What's that for?”

“For teaching me how to make any moment a special one.”

One of the Dawson triplets sighed with her fingers stacked in a hashtag. “Relationship goals right there.”

Mitch laughed. “When are you and your sisters walking down the aisle?”

She guffawed, and the abrupt noise surprised Claire, coming from such a petite thing. “Not any time in this decade. It’ll be all I can do in every twenty-four hours of a day to keep The Hide Away Inn afloat.”

Ahhhh, Amber Dawson. Claire clasped the young woman’s hand. “So, the rumors are true? Are you facing a buyout?”

The look of determination that crossed the young woman's face was admirable. “Some big luxury giant, Huntington Hotels…but not if I can help it. I have a plan, and no arrogant big city exec is going to come in and ruin our little secret paradise.”

“If there’s any way I can help, let me know.” Mitch handed her a Brennan Law business card.

Amber directed her attention back to Jade. “My sister loves what you did with the wedding. I think she’d really like to team up on some projects at some point if you’re willing. Your event skills with her eye for design would inspire more than one North Cove romance, that’s for sure.”

Pleasure tickled Claire to the point of bursting. “Tell her to call me anytime.”

Amber raised a mini jar of moonshine. “You’ll have to make sure you save up some great ideas for your wedding day.”

Claire giggled, waving her hand in the air in dismissal as Amber Dawson made her way through the crowd.

“She’s right you know.”

She flashed him a teasing grin. “What makes you think I'd say yes?”

He pulled her tight against him, and her body immediately answered with a flash of hell yes that ran across the tips of her nerves like spider webbing.

“Because I'm going to cherish you in a way that will ruin the chances for any other man who tries.” He gently slid a wisp of hair from her forehead. “But first I'm going to keep showing you just how important you are to me. There's no rush. We get to savor every phase of our relationship. Dating, fighting, make-up sex.” He wiggled his brows. “Our engagement and marriage.” He ran his lips across her jaw, sending a wash of goosebumps down her neck. “Our family.”

She swallowed hard. “I'm afraid of getting pregnant. I don't want to hurt or disappoint you, but I'm afraid.”

“Our family doesn't have to be like anyone else's. Maybe we’ll have children when you feel strong enough.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but he placed a soft finger on her lips.

He rested his forehead on hers. “Maybe we’ll adopt. All you've ever wanted is to help children. Who needs our help more than those who don't have a family to love them? And if you're not ready for that, we have the children of Cape Van Buren. This whole town is our family. I love you, Claire.”

Her heart expanded in her chest with so much emotion it was difficult to speak. “I’ll never tire of hearing you say it. I love you. More than I ever thought possible.”

She laid her head against his chest and swayed to the music, lulled by the warmth of his arms and the rhythm of his heart. She'd had love before, but this love was made of something different, something borne out of friendship first, out of despair, out of a need to serve.

She and Mitch would leave their mark on this town in a way that had her more excited than anything ever before.

“Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but are you ready to give your toast?” Maxine took her hand and led her to the front table, tapping a knife against the rim of a jar to get everyone's attention. “It’s time for a toast!” She handed the mic to Claire.

Wrapping her fingers around the mic, she scanned the familiar, sweet faces of the crowd. “I’ve learned a lot over the past months. How to be brave, how to love in the face of fear...something I know we all struggle with.” She glanced at the judge. “How to forgive with honor.” And then to Maxine. “To love with an undeterred passion.” And finally, to Mitch. “And how to make each moment matter. We don’t know how long we have, who will stay in our lives or who will have to leave, so make each moment, no matter how simple...make it count.”

She looked into the eyes of the man whose face she’d never tire of. “Cherish the loves of your life.”

“And Maxine, one more thing...” With a wink at Larkin and Blayne, they doused their regal and sassy friend with a bucket of glittering male genital confetti, and Claire yelled, “Penis!”

Taking Mitch by the hand, she giggled at Maxine’s squeal of delight and the laughter of the crowd.

She had a family to love, after all.

Did you adore Cherish on the Cape? Want to read Sage’s story in Draw You In? Then follow me on to receive emails on all new releases!

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Cape Van Buren

On the Cape Novels:

(Ryker and Larkin) bk 1

(Blayne and Jamie) bk 2

(Claire and Mitch) bk 3

Novellas:

Draw You In (formerly Falling for You)

International Temptation Series

A strong dose of decadence along with a side of tall, dark,

and sexy in your favorite travel destinations.

(Drago and Chase) bk 1

(Meteu and London) bk 2

Malibu Sights Series

There's no place like paradise and the happy ever afters

found in the film industry of Malibu, CA.

(Sam and Gage) bk 1

(Addi and Roque) bk 2

What Happens in Vegas Series

multi author series)

What happens when a romance convention descends upon Vegas?

A whole lot of love!

(Seven and Blake) bk 9

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