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“You’re doing what?” Chelsea pulled her phone away from her ear and stared at it for a moment, not believing what she’d just heard. She been sitting at the picnic table, wrapped in a blanket, with a notebook in front of her. She was writing outside as it was a beautiful, and another unseasonably warm December day. Besides, it afforded her a view of Lucas working, and that was definitely a view she would never grow tired of.

And she’d been getting lots of writing in too. Her book was coming along excellently. That was, until her sister Amber had called and distracted her in a huge way.

“I need you to say that again,” she said to Amber over the phone. “Because there is no way I heard my big sister say that she turned down the job that she’d been waiting for and was going to run off to Australia. There is no way I just heard that.”

Her sister’s familiar laughter rang across the line. “That’s exactly what you heard, Chelsea. Because that’s exactly what I’m going to do. And no, I definitely did not intend for this to happen.”

“Then…what? How? I just don’t understand. He must be some great guy.”

Amber laughed again. “He really is. I can’t wait until you meet Cole. It’s all been just absolutely incredible. And totally unexpected.”

The last time Chelsea spoke to her big sister, she was on her way to visit an old friend in Nebraska, of all places. Apparently that visit had turned into something a little bit more. A lot more from the sounds of it, if she was running off to Australia with her friend’s big brother.

“Well, it kind of sounds like you know exactly what I’m talking about. At least that’s according to Declan.”

“And what did he tell you?” Chelsea grinned, knowing full well exactly what their big brother had said.

“He told me you were in love, little sister, and that you decided to be an author and not go back to school.”

Chelsea braced herself for Amber’s judgment, because surely it would come. Amber always had her life so planned out. She’d known exactly where she wanted to go to school, what she wanted to take, and where she wanted to work when she graduated. Well…she had known that. Clearly, things could change.

“Well yes, I guess that’s all true,” Chelsea admitted. “And I’ve never been happier.”

“Declan mentioned that, too. I’m so happy for you.”

“And I’m happy for you. I can’t wait to meet this guy who’s stolen your heart and thrown it totally off the rails. I can’t believe you’re going all the way to Australia before I can meet him!”

“Well…”

“Well what?”

“We were going to. In fact, we got all the way to Hawaii to make our connection before we changed our plans. Not really changed so much as modified.”

“What do you mean, modified?” Chelsea tucked the blanket around her legs a little tighter as a breeze came up, reminding her that despite the warmer weather, snow could be there any day.

“It’s a long story, but I have to take care of a few things before I can get on a plane and go, so…”

“So you’re coming to say hi?” Chelsea tried not to get her hopes up because she really did want to see her big sister. It had been too long.

“We are. I’m bringing Cole and we’ll be there for New Year’s. If that’s okay?”

Chelsea let out a whoop. “Of course it’s okay. I’ll tell the guys and I know Mitch and Ian will be really glad to finally get to know you and—”

“Calm down.” Amber chuckled. “Remember, it’s just a visit. Okay? I’m still going to Australia.”

Chelsea nodded despite the fact that Amber couldn’t see her. She knew it was a visit, and she was okay with that, because she, too, would have some big news in the new year. “Don’t worry, Amber. I know what the plan is.”

Amber laughed again, and Chelsea couldn’t help but wonder when the last time it was that she had heard her sister laugh so much.

“Why do you keep talking about plans, Chels? You should loosen up a little bit.”

“Who are you and what did you do with my sister?”

“I know you think this is crazy, Chelsea. But I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about things and do you know what I think?”

Chelsea shook her head. “I can honestly say that I have no idea what you’re thinking.” She did not recognize this version of her sister. Not even a little bit. But she liked it.

“I think,” Amber began, “that we’re young and we have our whole lives to settle down, find a big, important job and live our lives. But in the meantime, there is a lot of world out there. It’s a world I really want to see. Don’t you?”

“I really do. I totally agree with you.” Her sister didn’t even know how much she agreed with that. But she’d wait and tell her the news along with the rest of her family in the new year when it was official that she and Lucas would be moving to Ireland to oversee the building of a new project.

“It’s funny how things change, isn’t it?”

Chelsea gazed over to the construction site where Lucas was supervising the breaking ground of the second phase of the development, in its new and improved location. The first condo building stood behind it, the first phase almost completed. He was walking around with a clipboard, talking to his workers and looking very sexy and in charge. She loved watching him work.

A flash of movement across the field caught her eye. Scott. Bringing lunch for the workers.

“Amber, I have to go,” Chelsea said to her sister. “But we’ll chat soon, okay? And make plans for getting you to Cedar Springs. I cannot wait to see you.”

They hung up the phone and Chelsea tucked it into her bag, along with her notebook. She was still shy about her work with everyone. Everyone except Lucas, who liked to read what she was working on every night before they went to bed together.

But she wasn’t ready to share it with anyone else.

When Scott got closer, Chelsea could see he was carrying a large platter, which he dropped at the construction site before he made his way across the field to where she was sitting. “Nice day, isn’t it?”

“It’s beautiful, but I think I can smell snow in the air. It’s long overdue anyway.”

“That it is.”

He shuffled his feet and Chelsea sighed. She hated that their relationship had been reduced to small talk but she understood it. At least Scott was no longer avoiding her. It was a good sign to see him at the construction site, too. “I didn’t know you were catering for the crew again.”

“Well,” he looked up, “I decided it was time for a fresh start. In all ways.” He smiled at her, and it was so genuine she couldn’t help but smile back.

“I’m glad. Does that mean…”

“That I’m dating someone?” He laughed. “Not yet. But hopefully soon.”

“What’s soon?” Lucas joined them, bent down to give Chelsea a kiss and let his hands linger on her shoulders before he stood. “Hey, Scott.”

“Hey. I was just telling Chelsea that it was time for a fresh start.”

She could feel Lucas tense a little, but then he relaxed behind her.

“That’s a good thing.”

“It really is. Life is too short for all this...” He gestured between them all and then laughed. “For all this whatever. Anyway, it’s good to see you guys but I should get going back to the café.”

“It was good to see you, too.” Chelsea pushed the blanket off her shoulders and stood to give Scott an impulsive hug.

It felt good. Like friends. And that was perfect.

After he left, Lucas pulled her into his arms and gave her a proper kiss. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”

“It’s only noon.” She laughed. “And I saw you this morning.”

“Time slows without you, baby.” They both laughed at his cheesy line but she kissed him again. “Seriously, I like seeing you work over here. It’s nice to have you close by, but you must be freezing. It’s supposed to snow later.”

“It is starting to get a bit cool. But I’m not ready to go in yet. Besides, you’ll keep me warm.”

“You know I will.” He wrapped her up tighter and kissed her again, until there was a flame lit in her belly.

“Mmmm.” She murmured against his lips as a snowflake landed on her cheek. And then another. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you did that on purpose.”

“Well, I had to give you a white Christmas, didn’t I?” Lucas pulled back and gently wiped the snowflake from her cheek.

“Christmas is still almost a whole month away.” She laughed but he looked serious.

“You know I love you, right?”

She nodded, suddenly worried. “Of course.”

“Good.” He nodded, still very serious. “Could you please turn around, Chels? I really want you to see how the development looks from here.”

“I’ve been looking at it all morning.” She tried to laugh, but he was acting so strangely, it scared her.

“Turn around, Chelsea. Please.”

She hesitated, but then did as he asked.

The building was blurred a little by the snow that was coming down harder and harder, but there was no mistaking the banner draped across the balconies of the condo.

Will you…

“What is…does that say…what does that say?” She turned to see Lucas on one knee, a box in his hand. Her hand flew to her mouth and she shook her head in disbelief. “Lucas? What are you—”

“Chelsea. You know I love you. And I know it’s been fast, but I need you to listen to me and hear me out.”

He could not be asking her to marry him. They were young. Too young. She’d just decided to take a risk and follow her dreams. She wanted to travel. She wanted to…be with him.

Her head was still unsure. But her heart was screaming.

Chelsea blinked hard and focused on the man she loved.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said. “I know you’re probably thinking that I’m completely crazy.”

She nodded and laughed.

“And maybe I am,” Lucas continued. “But I definitely know I’m crazy about you and that’s why I need to ask you this.”

She was still so confused but she bit her tongue from asking all the questions she wanted to, and just listened.

“Chelsea McCormick, I’m here, on one knee, my heart in my hand, asking you if you will be with me. Will you be my partner and experience life with me? Travel with me? Love me? Achieve your dreams with me and help me achieve mine?” He flipped open the box and her eyes widened at the sight of a stunning ruby ring, surrounded by tiny little diamonds. “This isn’t an engagement ring, it’s a…well, I guess it’s a commitment ring.”

Her heart flipped in her chest and she dropped to her knees on the cold earth with the snow falling all around them.

He wasn’t asking her to marry him after all. Just to be with him. To be committed to him and live life with him.

She stared into his eyes and took his free hand in hers. It took a moment to answer him. “Oh my God, Lucas. This is…” Tears pricked at her eyes.

“Well? Tell me you will, Chels. Tell me you’ll be with me. For all of it.”

She nodded frantically, realizing she hadn’t actually answered him despite the voice in her heart screaming out the answer. “Yes.” She stuttered over the word and said it again, stronger this time. “Yes. Yes, a million times. More than anything, I want to be with you.”

Lucas moved quickly and slipped the ring on her finger before pulling her up to her feet and taking her face in his hands. “Thank God you said yes.”

She laughed. “As if I’d say anything else.”

He kissed her long and slow as the snow fell around them, dusting their shoulders and hair. There was no rush—after all, they had the rest of their lives.

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