One year later…

Ronnie beamed at him, herding the woman in his direction. The meager winter sunlight glinted off the new diamond on her ring finger, and Elijah smiled to himself. It blew his mind that they’d found each other and managed to make it work. There were some bumps along the way—no relationship was completely perfect, after all—but they’d found their groove. He’d never forget the way she looked in her pretty ivory gown with autumn leaves sprinkling the air like confetti thrown by nature to celebrate their wedding day. He was happy.

And he was surprised to find that was more than enough.

“Hey, Eli, I want you to meet someone,” Veronica bubbled. “This is Joy. She just moved to town a few weeks ago, and she’s still getting to know everyone.”

Smirking, Eli tilted his head at her. “I thought you were done playing matchmaker, minx.”

His bride blushed prettily, the color almost a perfect match for the somewhat faded peekaboo color in her hair. She needed to have it redone, and probably hadn’t found the time to schedule it. Eli made a mental note to not only schedule her a day to get the hair redone, but also a mani-pedi and maybe a massage. The last time he’d scheduled her a day to herself like that, she’d come home all melted bones and smelling sweet. They’d made love on the stairs, unable to even make it up to their bedroom.

Totally worth the cost of a spa day for his girl, in Eli’s opinion.

“Actually, I am trying to kind of set you up,” his wife confessed.

He arched a brow at her. “Another project?” he inquired.

Her smile was a little secretive, and he couldn’t resist any longer. He tugged her to his side, to that place that seemed uniquely made to hold just her and that felt a little empty when she wasn’t near.

She sighed, melting into him, and went up on tiptoes to gift him with a quick peck. “Kind of one of my projects. But it is that one we’ve been working on together.”

His hand dropped to her belly, protecting the tiny bump that was a little bit his and a little bit hers. “Oh really?” he asked.

“Yeah, she’s setting up a daycare here in town. I thought maybe we’d go tour it in advance. Possibly get put on her wait list, if we both like it.”

“Nice to meet you, Joy.” The other woman exchanged some small talk with them, agreeing to give them a tour on Wednesday so long as they were available. As soon as they’d finished chatting, Eli steered Veronica away and headed for the gazebo.

Snow drifted down, and the same lights as they’d hung the year before illuminated the area. The choir was just getting set up, so he took a moment to kiss Veronica before they started. After a few moments, she bit his bottom lip.

“No surprise bag this year?” she asked.

“It is behind that bush over there,” he admitted. Even after all this time, the breathlessness and pout to her well kissed lips pleased him. She was so petite and delicate, she just made him feel stronger by being around.

With a girlish clap of her hands, she left his arms to retrieve her bag. Inside was a blanket, hand warmers, and a thermos of her favorite coffee—as was tradition. But he’d tucked a little something special in, too.

“What’s this?” she asked, shaking the wrapped box in curiosity.

“Open it,” he said.

Inside the pretty jewelry box, he’d hidden a set of car keys. “Car keys?”

“Yup,” he said. “And I’ll schedule the oil changes, so you don’t have to bother with that stuff. You stick to your projects, and I’ll stick with what I do best.”

She twined her arms around him, sharing the blanket as she curled into his side to listen to the caroling. “What’s that, if I may ask? Is it being dead sexy? Wonderful? Perfect and brilliant, all at the same time?”

He smiled into her hair, inhaling her scent. He’d never tire of this vivacious and sweet woman. “Nope. But I’ll take all those, too, since you’re handing out compliments.”

“So what do you do best?” his wife asked.

“I take care of you so you can take care of everyone else.”

She teared up a little, but he was getting used to that. She wasn’t used to being loved to the best of his ability yet.

He’d work on that. It was his new favorite project.