Yes, this had moved quickly, and yes, she should try to think logically, but running over the last month in her head, she knew that she was happiest when with him, whether at the school, or in the gym, or just sitting and playing a board game at his parents’ place. Their love would only grow stronger from this day forward.
This wasn’t a part of her plans. This wasn’t even on the table, but love didn’t care. They had found each other and there was nothing that would change how they felt. Nothing.
“I love you, too, Hawk,” she whispered. And she didn’t even notice that her voice had wobbled. “I love that you care about me, insecurities and all. I love that you see me differently than I see myself, and I love that family is so important to you. I want a family; I’ve just always been afraid to ask for one. I thought I had a plan I needed to follow, but what you’ve taught me is that the best things in life aren’t planned—they’re discovered.”
“Will you marry me, Natalie?”
“Right this minute if I could,” she told him.
Soft sighs echoed through the room as Hawk moved forward, pulled Natalie to her feet, and drew her gently into his arms, where he sealed their promises to each other with a tender kiss. Love had found them this holiday season, and it had taken hold of both of their hearts. And it wasn’t about to let go.
epilogue
Valentine’s Day
Well, what do we do now?” Eileen asked.
“I don’t know,” Bethel said with a sniffle. “We should be a heck of a lot more happy. That was a wonderful wedding.”
Maggie’s answering smile was accompanied by watery eyes. “Yes, I think Hawk and Natalie are going to make each other very happy.”
“Yes, they will,” Martin said. “They were meant to be.” Even he sounded a bit choked up.
Still, Bethel pouted. “But I’m bored now.”
“Well, Hawk isn’t the only single man in this town,” Eileen said.
Bethel perked up instantly. “That’s very true.”
“My boys are way past their time to find their brides,” Martin reminded them.
“I couldn’t agree with you more, Martin,” Maggie replied with a painful level of excitement.
“I just don’t know where to even begin,” Martin said.
“I know. It worked out really well with Natalie, but we don’t need any more schoolteachers,” Eileen said.
The four of them sat at a large table and watched Hawk and Natalie hold each other tight while dancing to Lonestar’s rendition of the song “Amazed.”
“I know that I’ve been more than ready for Jackson to settle down, but that boy avoids commitment like it’s a double-headed snake,” Martin groused.
“What do we do to change his mind?” Bethel asked.
Martin said, “I’m at a loss. I just don’t know . . .”
“Well, he does have that trip to Paris coming up. Any chances of a romance there?” Eileen asked.
“It is the city of love,” Maggie said.
“We need help!” Bethel insisted.
Martin grinned. “Maybe it’s time to call Joseph.”
“That old rascal hasn’t visited in too long,” Eileen said. “What is Joseph Anderson up to these days?”
“I know that he’s managed to create a large family for himself. He’s told me a little about how it all happened, so I know he had his hand involved,” Martin told them.
“Well, then. Let’s give the man a call!” Eileen pulled out her cell phone and punched his number from the contacts list.
“Hello?”
Joseph Anderson’s voice boomed across the line, and the meddling was only just beginning . . .
chapter 1
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart . . .”
Eyeing the crush of cheerfully wasted humanity as they sang along to the soppiest Christmas song ever, Beck Rivera let go of a frustrated sigh. It turned into a growl midway through.
“If one more idiot in a red suit breathes his fumes on me, I’m going holiday nuclear.”
His brother Luke laughed at Beck’s out-of-character dramatics. Normally the least excitable one in the family—except for their oldest, Wyatt, who wouldn’t know drama if it upchucked in his face—Beck was clearly teetering on the brink tonight. Three weeks to Christmas and the annual Santa Shuffle Pub Crawl, a staple of the Chicago holiday scene, had stalled in his bar.
Ho-dee-ho-ho.
“So how is holiday nuclear different from regular nuclear?” Luke asked. He pulled gently on the Guinness tap to complete the shamrock imprint in the stout’s foamy head.
“With holiday nuclear, I’ll go ballistic—with an elfish smile.”
Pint safely delivered to a thirsty customer, Luke laid a strong hand on Beck’s shoulder. “Stay cool, psycho. You’ll be back in bunker gear before you know it.”