Oh, goodness.
Then he left that stage with the cordless mic in hand and walked toward the Bakers’ blanket.
Bella’s hand felt like a vise grip on Ashley’s knee.
When he’d finally made his way to Ashley, Derek squatted in front of her. “You asked me what I felt for you, and I was afraid to tell you the truth. Afraid of your rejection. Afraid that if I put my heart out there, you’d leave me like … others have done.”
Sweet man.
She couldn’t help it. Ashley lifted her hand to stroke his cheek.
His voice lowered to a whisper that boomed over the mic. “But here’s the truth. Ashley Baker, I love you. Only you.”
“I love you too.”
Then the mic plopped onto the grass and Derek was kissing her in front of the whole town.
The whole town—who, she realized, was cheering.
Ashley laughed and buried her face in Derek’s shoulder. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“Was that enough of a splash?”
“A splash?” She pulled back to look at him.
“Never mind.” He swooped in to kiss her again. “Want to get out of here? Or did you promise your family you’d stay?”
The question in his eyes was so vulnerable, as if he truly wondered if she’d choose her family over him again. Well, she’d just clear that one right up once and for all.
“I was going to stay, but I’m sure they’ll understand.” Ashley kissed his cheek. “And if they don’t, that’s on them. Because right now, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with you.”
Chapter 19
Another hard week of satisfying work in her rearview mirror. Another Friday night date with the man she loved in the headlights ahead. The stars popped out one by one in the sky, Ashley bearing witness to it all as she drove down the remote dirt road toward the Campbells’ vineyard.
Her fingers drummed on the steering wheel. “So everything is all set for a week from Sunday, then?”
“I think so.” Shannon’s voice filtered through the car’s speakers. “I’m still nervous I’ve forgotten something.”
“I wouldn’t have put you in charge of the reunion if I’d thought you couldn’t handle it.” Ashley had done most of the legwork before handing it over to her eager-to-help cousin a couple of weeks ago, anyway. “And I’ll be there for most of it supporting you. I asked Kyle to handle anything with the business so I can be fully committed to the reunion and Ben and Bella’s wedding activities.”
The full moon split the sky. Amazing how much brighter everything was out here where there weren’t any lights. Her tires bit and flicked rocks as they rotated down the road.
“I still can’t believe so many people are coming, though the wedding seems to be the main draw.” Shannon’s golden retriever, Lucky, barked in the background. “Did I tell you Quinn’s bringing a guy with her? They’re arriving next Saturday.”
“Really?” Shannon’s older sister and Tyler’s twin lived in New York City as some sort of hotshot marketing executive, and she hadn’t been home for several years—not even for her brother’s wedding last fall. “I’ll bet your mom is thrilled.”
“Yeah, someone to give us actual insight into my sister’s life. You know, since Quinn doesn’t like telling us more than she’s uber successful and can get any guy she wants.”
Quinn was the only subject that made Shannon sarcastic. It must be exhausting living in her older sister’s shadow.
Ashley sighted the vineyard lights. Normally she’d head directly to Derek’s cabin, but he’d asked her to come to the main house tonight—and not until eight-thirty, a bit later than they usually met. “Well, hey, I’m almost to Derek’s. Anything else you’re feeling unsure about?”
Shannon heaved a sigh. “Not about the reunion, no.”
“Something else?” Nearly three weeks of learning how to run a business and balancing a new relationship hadn’t left much time for her and Shannon to connect outside of their reunion planning meetings.
“I’ve made a decision. Just told my parents last night.”
“About what?” Pulling up to the house, Ashley put the car in park.
A stream of heavy breath hit the phone, crackling over the sound waves. “I’ve decided to adopt Noah Robinson.”
“What?”
“I know. It’s a huge decision, but his grandma’s been moved to a memory care facility. Social services has tried locating his mother and other family members and they just can’t find anyone. Mary’s nearest neighbor up the road is still keeping Noah, but she’s moving away in a few months.” Shannon’s voice trembled. “Ash, he’s the sweetest kid, and I just can’t sit by and let him go into the system. He’d probably have to leave Walker Beach, be far away from the one family member he has.”
“Oh, Shan. You’re the most generous person I know.” Ashley bit her lip. “Are you sure about this? You’ll be a single mom. That’s hard work.”
“It’s much harder to think that I could have done something and didn’t.”
“What did your parents say?”
“They’re still kind of hesitant, I think. But I’m hoping they come around.” Shannon grew quiet. “What do you think?”
The front door of Derek’s house opened and Heather stepped out. She waved when she saw Ashley sitting in the car.
Ashley returned the wave. “I think you’ll be a great mom, and I’m happy to help you any way I can.”
“Thank you, cuz. That means the world.”
After they said goodbye, Ashley blew out a breath. Wow. The thought of being a single mom—that was tough. But Heather Campbell rocked at it, as did a few others Ashley knew. Shannon would be great.
Speaking of Heather, she was still standing on the front porch.
Ashley shut the car off and climbed out. “Hey, girl.”
“Hey, yourself. Derek asked me to tell you to head to his cabin after all. But he
