Naiva ran her fingers over the slightly faded penciled lines.
“It’s… It’s… amazing,” she rasped and looked up at me. “You stalked me,” she chuckled.
“Maybe a bit,” I grinned. “But I was a horny young boy at the time. Insecure and positive that you wouldn’t have reciprocated my attraction. It was easier to document what I saw and keep it as a memory than to demolish the illusion.”
“Yeah, I get that,” she sighed. “But, Jack… your family won’t accept me. They’ll see me as some uneducated gold digger.”
Nothing could have kept me from pulling her into my arms. I wrapped her in my embrace and caressed her cheek. “Even if that was true, I wouldn’t care. I know what I want and it’s you.”
“Jack,” she huffed and glared up at me. “I’m being serious. I can’t come between you and your family. I heard these girls talking and your mom wants someone… appropriate for you.”
Laughter burst forth and it took me a moment to calm enough to speak.
“Oh, Naiva. My mom knows. She gave me her blessing. Her exact words were… ‘Harrison, she’s too good for you.’ Then she told me I better not mess this up because she wanted me happy and wanted grandchildren before she died.” I chuckled at Naiva’s expression.
Deciding that I didn’t care about perfect moments or locations, I kneeled at Naiva’s feet and reached into my pants pocket for the velvet box I’d picked up that morning.
Snapping open the box, I presented it to her and said two words…
“Marry me?”
Naiva gasped and looked down at the box in my hand. Reaching out her fingers hovered just above the ring I’d selected for her.
“Naiva?” I grinned and watched as her eyes slowly lifted from the silver ring nestled into the velvet cushion.
“Yes,” she whispered huskily.
“Is that your answer?” I grinned up at her and she nodded before falling into me and wrapping her arms around my neck.
Tears flowed down her cheeks as she pressed kisses to my face. My heart swelled and laughter rolled through me as I surged up to my feet. I swooped Naiva up with me and swung her around the kitchen.
Then I allowed her to slip down my body until I could reach her mouth. Taking her mouth in a passionate kiss, I didn’t notice anything except for the warmth and perfection of my new fiancé. At least not until the clapping registered.
Glancing up, Naiva’s parents and a man I recognized from the restaurant part of the B&B, stood in the doorway and whooped and clapped.
“I love you, Naiva Aisley. Always have and always will.”
“I love you, too, Jack.”
Then I sealed our engagement with a second kiss that soon had my body reacting in a way very inappropriate for mixed company.
Naiva broke away and laughed. Her joy filling me and completing in only the way she could.
Two Years Later
Constant activity swirled around me as I slid the last tray of pastries into the case. Today was our grand opening and everything needed to be perfect. With that thought in mind, I took one last look around. The tables were set so that they allowed a decent distance for walking and privacy between patrons. I had always hated places that shoved as many tables as possible into the available space and your neighbors were practically sitting on top of you.
I loved how each table had a can light that shone down softly to provide a bit more light. We’d gone with decorative tables that had a beautiful inlay on the tops and we had stations on each side of the space with anything a customer might need to doctor their drinks or eat their pastries. It was better than taking up much-needed space on the tables with containers of condiments that someone might need and a vase with a flower to add color.
“Mrs. Noch?” Molly called from behind the counter. “We have ten minutes…”
Molly was fidgeting with her apron and glancing around frantically. She was a hard worker and had a penchant for being a people pleaser. I knew she was going to be an amazing employee, now if I could just help her gain some confidence and I’d be able to promote her to manager.
“What’s wrong, Molly?” I asked and braced myself for bad news.
“Nothing… I’m just worried I forgot something,” she mumbled and straightened the printed menus we’d had printed for today.
“Calm…” I began to reassure her when I heard a knock on the door behind me.
Turning, I found my other employee standing on the other side with a box in his arms. Lucas grinned at me and nodded down at his full hands. I quickly opened the door and ushered him so I could lock the door behind him.
“Did you have any trouble?” I asked.
“Nope,” he said and grinned at me and Molly.
“Lucas, can I help you?” Molly asked and rushed forward.
“It’s not heavy, just awkward,” Lucas assured her.
“I hope the order arrives tomorrow,” I grumbled.
“Jason assured me that he would personally drop it off as soon as it arrives at their place,” Lucas addressed my comment.
“Good. We can’t sell pastries without bags and boxes to put them in.” My mind wandered for a few moments as I ran through my mental checklist.
“Will Mr. Noch be coming down this morning?” Molly pulled me from my thoughts.
“Molly, we’ve told you multiple times, call us Naiva and Jack,” I instructed as I moved up beside her and patted her arm.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t do –”
“Yes, you can. We’ve asked you to, so you can,” I interrupted and smiled at her.
“Okay, Mrs. … um… Naiva.”
“It’s time,” Lucas called out as he walked to the front door.
“Oh. My. Gawd.” Molly pointed at the front of the shop. “Mrs.
