Jillian had a cup of coffee and a good book in front of her. Her bookstore was full of customers and friends this morning, thanks to her weekly book club gathering. It was good for business, and for the soul.

“Thanks for another excellent meeting,” Lorelai said when it was over.

“Thanks for coming.”

“Kimberly loves spending an extra hour once a week at the recreation center with Uncle Gabe anyway. And I’ll take me-time where I can get it.”

Jillian laughed and handed her a muffin to go. “Take one to Kimberly. Tell her it’s from Aunt Jillian.”

“Will do.” Lorelai winked.

Jillian wasn’t actually Kimberly’s aunt, not yet at least, but maybe one day in the near future. She never thought she’d consider the prospect of ever getting married again, but with the right person, possibly.

After saying goodbye to her other customers, she walked behind the counter and sat down. She didn’t usually count the seconds to closing time—not anymore—but tonight, Gabe was taking her out for their six-month dating anniversary. How things had changed in that time. She’d spent the good part of a decade being lonely and overworked, and in a matter of months, she was downright gleeful.

When the long hand of the clock ticked on the six-o’clock hour, Jillian turned the store’s sign to CLOSED and hurried back to her living quarters to get dressed. November in Blushing Bay got chilly, so she wore a long dress and a cardigan in case they went for a walk along the boardwalk.

Or in case they ended up on one of the sailboats at the Sawyer Recreational Center. No matter the weather, sailing was one of their favorite pastimes to do together.

Her cell phone buzzed with an incoming text.

Jillian hurried over to the counter and read the message from Gabe.

Are you ready?

A giddy little grin settled on her lips. She was ready for anything he had up his sleeve for tonight.

Definitely, she typed back.

Great. I’ll be there in five.

To the second, he arrived at the back of the store, using his personal key to let himself in.

“Hi there, handsome,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. “Where are we going?”

“I told you it was a surprise.” He held out a solid red blindfold.

Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Do you trust me, Jillian Maready?”

“You know I do, but—” Her gaze fell on the blindfold. “Fine.” She turned around and allowed him to tie it over her eyes. “But don’t make me regret putting my faith in you.”

He grabbed her elbow and led her out of the store, then helped her inside the passenger seat of his truck. After he’d buckled her in, she heard him settle into the driver’s seat and crank the engine. “Just sit back and relax. It’s not far.”

“What’s not?”

Gabe tsked. “So beautiful, but very little patience.”

She laughed out loud and then did as he asked, relaxing and enjoying the ride. Trusting him with whatever fate he had in store for her over the next couple of hours.

Fifteen minutes later, she felt the Jeep slow and park in a gravel driveway.

“Can I peek yet?”

“No,” he said sternly. “I’ll come around and unbuckle you.”

He opened her door and took her hand, leading her up a hill. She could hear soft music playing in the background and the faint sound of the water lapping on the shore. They stopped walking, and Gabe turned her to face him.

“There’s a chair behind you. I’m going to help you sit.”

“Okay.” With his hands bracing the sides of her arms, she sat back, feeling a table in front of her.

“Careful there,” he said as he scooted her in.

“Now?” she asked.

“Now.” He did the honors of removing the blindfold himself.

Jillian blinked and gasped at the scene. She was seated at a small table with candles at the center. The table was set up on a hill overlooking the water where dozens of boats were parading down the channel. The sun was setting behind them, making a mixture of orange and various shades of blue in the sky. “Tonight’s the holiday flotilla. I completely forgot.”

Gabe sat across from her. “One of my favorite traditions of the season.”

All the boats were strung with colorful lights that were mirrored on the dark water. “It’s so magical,” she said in awe. “I haven’t seen this since I was a teenager.”

“Abby catered our meal for this occasion,” he told her.

Abby Sawyer was a member of Jillian’s book club. She was a world-renowned chef and one of the nicest people Jillian knew.

“This is the perfect way to spend our six-month anniversary,” she said, looking across the table at Gabe. “I love it.”

“And I love you.” It wasn’t the first time he’d told her, but she never grew tired of hearing it. Or saying it.

“I love you too.”

He leaned over and kissed her across the table, then he served their dinner. They ate as they watched the boats of Blushing Bay glide across the water. “Wait for it,” he said after a moment.

Jillian’s brows pinched softly. “Another surprise?” she asked as a couple of sailboats came into view. The first was lit up in bright reds. A large banner ran from the stern of the sailboat to the helm, with a spotlight illuminating the word MARRY.

The second boat was lit in vibrant greens with a spotlight illuminating the word ME?

“Marry…me,” Jillian whispered. Then she gasped as Gabe dropped down on one knee.

“That’s my line,” he teased, taking her hand in his. “But if you insist.”

She laughed. This man was always making her laugh. And swoon. And cry in the best kind of way. She’d come to Blushing Bay hoping to feel something. Anything. And Gabe Sawyer made her feel everything. “You make me happier than I’ve ever been.”

He held up a box. “Then say yes and make me the happiest man in the world.”

Jillian swallowed as she eyed the black velvet box. She should be terrified. She should run away from this table screaming because she’d been there and done that when it came to marriage. And it hadn’t worked.

She didn’t feel that way at all, though, staring into Gabe’s rich brown eyes. Instead, she felt alive with excitement, ready for this new adventure he was offering her. In fact, she couldn’t wait. “Yes,” she said, softly at first. “Yes, yes, yes!”

Gabe grinned and opened the box to reveal a ring with a beautiful pear-shaped diamond. It was simple and elegant.

“It’s gorgeous.” Her hand shook as he guided the ring down over her knuckle.

“A perfect fit,” he whispered before standing and pulling her against him. “Just like us.”