Love on the Lake (Lakeside #2)(94)
It’s a promise sealed with a kiss.
EPILOGUE
THIS MAGIC PLACE
Teagan
One Year Later
“I’m leaving for the market in five minutes. Do you want me to stop at the office and grab the signs for your booth on the way over?”
“That would be great. Do you need anything from your apartment?” Dillion asks.
I switch my phone to speaker so I can rummage through my purse. “I think I have all the important things I need.”
“I can always drive over there if you’re missing something essential.” Aaron crosses from the bedroom to the kitchen, where I’m currently trying to do six things with two hands.
Over the past year the Pearl Lake Farmers’ Market has turned into a job that I’m now compensated for. It runs weekly from the end of May to the end of September, and then we have a huge holiday market at the end of November. The town hired me on to help organize and run their other events throughout the year. I love it, and I’ve learned, with help from my family and Aaron, when to put the brakes on and when to delegate so I don’t get overwhelmed.
I’m still consulting for the Stitches on design projects. And in the slow seasons I take design courses. I’ve discovered a passion for both interior design and event organization. I’m learning how to balance those two things I love without letting either of them take over my life.
It’s a beautiful day for the market. The weather looks promising, and there are now a hundred vendors signed up to participate. It means we’ve had to relocate the market to the main street. It took some work and some permits, but with the help of the volunteer team I’ve put together, it’s all been very doable.
“And don’t forget we’re hosting a barbecue tonight,” Dillion reminds me.
“Super excited for that!” I end the call and glance up at Aaron, who’s standing in the doorway of the bedroom, shirtless. “Maybe I should make biscuits for the barbecue.”
He arches a brow. “Do you have a clone I don’t know about?”
I try to come up with a witty comeback, but he has a point. “Or I can buy some from Boones and support local.”
“Seems like the more reasonable thing to do.” He pushes off the doorframe and glances at the clock on the wall as he crosses the room. When he reaches me, he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against him. I allow myself a few moments to appreciate the warmth of his embrace as I absorb his love.
He’s been my rock for the past two years. He’s loved me when I’ve struggled to love myself. He’s stood beside me and given me a soft place to land when I fall. There have been hiccups along the way. Times when I’ve started to take on too much and struggled to pull back. But Aaron and my family have been here to help me course correct.
I’m lucky to have them and this community. Pearl Lake is a magical place, and it’s become my home.
When Aaron’s hands start to wander, I press my palms against his bare chest. “We need to leave in fifteen minutes, and while you can man the Footprint booth shirtless, I’m not sure you’re going to love the attention you’ll get.” Aaron and Billy trade off every other week managing the Footprint Construction booth. They get as much attention from the college-aged girls as they do from people legitimately looking for project advice. Aaron handles it pretty well, but Billy turns a million shades of red and gets all flustered when they flirt with him. It’s pretty funny to watch.
“I’m just hugging you. And it doesn’t take fifteen minutes for me to put on a shirt.” He drops his head, and his lips brush my ear. “You know what else we can do with the next fourteen minutes?”
I grin against his chest. “We do not have time for that.”
“You have such a one-track mind, Teagan.”
This time I push hard enough that he lets me go. “You’re poking me in the belly button with your less evolved head. Save it for tonight.”
“But that’s sixteen hours from now.”
“Whining isn’t sexy, Aaron.”
He frowns. “I’m not whining. I’m stating facts.”
“I promise I’ll make it worth the wait.”
“You’re always worth the wait, babe. I’m being greedy.” He pulls me in again and kisses me softly but doesn’t make a move to deepen it, probably because he knows I’ll clamp my teeth shut, and getting himself more worked up isn’t going to help either of us.
He pours us coffees, and I toast our bagels, slathering his with Nutella—he has the breakfast tastes of a ten-year-old—and topping mine with a slice of cheese and tomato, and then we’re out the door and in his truck, on the way downtown.
The sun is cresting the horizon. Saturday mornings are early since the market starts at eight and ends at one in the afternoon.
“What time are Lydia and Jamie going to be here?” I ask.
It’s a big weekend around here with the first farmers’ market of the season. Lydia and Jamie are coming to visit, and so are my dad and Danielle.
“Before the market ends, for sure. My mom and dad want us to go over to their place for brunch tomorrow, but I told them today is a big day and with everything else going on we’d just have to play it by ear,” Aaron replies. “Besides, they’re coming for dinner at Van’s, so we’ll get in a visit.”