Chapter Twenty-Four
Should she have gone to the Bake-Off?
Jillian paced back and forth in her apartment. No, she was fine right here. She didn’t have a vested interest in the final round.
To her surprise, her mother was not happy that Jillian had backed out of going to the Bake-Off. Her mother insisted that if she was staying home she could at least keep Romeo company. Jillian didn’t want company. She longed for the solitude. Yet, it was easier to do as her mother asked than to argue the point.
When her mother inquired about her reason for staying home, Jillian had claimed a headache. It wasn’t exactly a lie. Her head was abuzz with thoughts of Avery. Suzanna had given her a heads-up that he’d planned something special for this evening and he wanted her there. Jillian had no idea what he had planned and Suzanna hadn’t given her any details.
So what was Avery up to?
And what did it have to do with her?
Then a sobering thought hit her. Perhaps he was going to announce at the Bake-Off that he was leaving town. It would be his swan song of sorts where he told the whole town goodbye at once. That must be it.
Still, she felt bad for letting Suzanna down. They’d planned to go to the Bake-Off together. She glanced at the clock. Perhaps it wasn’t too late to go. Saying goodbye to Avery might be the closure she needed—a chance to close this chapter in her life once and for all.
Before she could change her mind, she grabbed her coat. She moved to the door and pulled it open. In that moment, Romeo dashed out the door.
“Romeo! Come back!”
Romeo had been so well behaved lately that she thought he’d gotten past his fascination with the great outdoors. She had obviously been wrong. And so started another round of chasing Romeo through the streets of Marietta.
*
He hadn’t won the Bake-Off.
His plan to win over Jillian had failed.
And yet Avery refused to give up. The truth was he hadn’t failed with Jillian because he hadn’t found her yet to put his plan into action.
And that’s why he was out driving around Marietta after the Bake-Off ended.
He’d checked Tangled Charms and then her apartment. He’d banged on her door but she hadn’t answered. He didn’t know where else she could be. He had no choice but to head home—alone.
He glanced at the two jewelry boxes on the seat next to him in the pickup. He didn’t know what he was going to do with them. Maybe some sleep would help him focus and regroup.
He backed out of Jillian’s driveway. Surely she hadn’t left town. Was she really that upset with him?
He decided to try calling her again. He’d just turned onto his street. Before he could reach for his phone, he spotted her car parked along the curb. Jillian was here?
His spirits buoyed, he wheeled into his driveway and threw the pickup into Park. There could only be one reason she was here—she still cared. His heart swelled in his chest.
He grabbed the jewelry boxes from the seat. He jumped out of the truck and placed the ring box in his jacket pocket. During the time he’d been searching for her, he’d been thinking that he needed more of a lead-up to the big moment. He had to make sure she understood just how much he loved her.
He made his way along the walk to the front porch where he found Jillian sitting on the steps. “Hi.”
She glanced up at him. “Hi. I bet you didn’t expect to see me tonight.”
“Actually, I’ve been looking for you.” And then realizing she must be freezing out here, he said, “Why don’t we go inside?”
Jillian hesitated.
“Is there something wrong?”
She sighed. “It’s Romeo. He escaped again and I was hoping he would come here.”
“It’s all the more reason for you to come inside. I’m sure he’ll show up soon.”
Jillian got to her feet and looked around the darkened yard before her gaze came back to rest on Avery. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. There’s something I needed to discuss with you.”
Once their coats were off, Jillian took a seat in the armchair next to the couch. Avery perched on the end of the couch closest to her. His heart was racing as he realized he only had one chance to get his proposal right.
He cleared his throat. “First of all, these are yours.” He held out the large velvet box containing the necklace and earrings she’d made. “I bid on these for you and I really want you to have them.”
There was uncertainty reflected in her eyes, but she accepted the jewelry case. Looking uncomfortable, she said, “I heard you’re leaving town tomorrow. I should go so you can pack or make whatever arrangements you need to.”
“I’ve changed my mind. I’m staying.” He could see his announcement surprised her. “And you should know that I’ve sold the house.”
Her eyes widened. “You bought the ranch?”
He nodded, hoping it would please her.
“That’s wonderful.” She smiled. And suddenly the tension between them seemed to ease. “I’m so happy for you.”
“The thing is, it’s a big ranch and it can get awfully lonely.” He watched as an array of emotions were reflected in her eyes. “How do you feel about ranches?”
“Me?” She pressed a hand to her chest.
“Jillian, I’ve handled this situation poorly and for that I’m sorry. At first, I thought you were still involved with Glenn—”
“I’m not. At least not romantically. I should have made that clearer.”
“Suzanna set me straight on a few matters unrelated to cake making when she was here. And I am very grateful to her.”
“You are?”
He nodded. “She encouraged me to follow my heart—to take a chance on the future and make my dreams come true.”
Jillian looked disappointed. “Oh, you mean the ranch.”
“No, I mean you.” His heart was pounding so hard that it echoed in his ears. “I love you, Jillian. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.” And then remembering the ring, he said, “Wait right here.”
He rushed over to where he’d placed his coat, and with shaky hands he removed the ring box from his pocket. She hadn’t bolted out the door so he had to hope that was a good sign.
When he returned to her, he dropped down on one knee and held the box out to her. “Jillian, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
A tear dripped onto her cheek. His body tensed. Please let it be a tear of joy.
The next thing he knew, Jillian was kneeling on the floor next to him. Her gaze met his. There was clarity reflected in her beautiful blue eyes. “I love you too. But are you sure about this? You want to start over with your own family?”
“I’m positive. I tried to tell myself that I was happy out on the road. Then returning and roaming through this house all alone, I knew I was kidding myself. I want to build a life with you.”
“And a couple of babies?”
“Them too.”
“What changed your mind?”
Avery understood her need for clarity. It had taken him a long time to get to this point. “I realized this living alone isn’t what I want after all. Being a bachelor isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. So what do you say? Do you want to grow old with me?”
“Yes.” She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his.
It all felt so right—so perfect.
A scratching sound interrupted the moment. Soon a meow followed. With a groan, they pulled apart. Avery hesitated to let her go, but he smiled, realizing there would be a lifetime of kisses. They were both smiling when they got to their feet.
When he opened the door, Romeo ran inside. “Hello, fella.”
Romeo murred in response, causing Jillian and Avery to laugh.
Just then Marshmallow entered the living room. The cats sniffed each other and then ran off.
“Looks like everyone is happy.” Avery smiled at Jillian. And then realizing he still had the ring, he moved to her side. “We forgot this.”
And with that he slid the diamond ring on her finger and sealed the deal with a kiss.