Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“I love you. I want to have kids with you. I want to settle down and make a life with you. You’re all I want. Marry me, Mae.”
She couldn’t believe this was happening, but it felt like the most amazing thing in the world.
“Yes,” she said.
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
The whole town erupted in applause and Caleb let out a whoop, and he shocked her even more when he slid a big engagement ring on her finger.
Pete took the microphone from his hand, and then he gripped her chin, tilted her head back, and kissed her. The applause rang out again, and the mike was handed back to the band, and as he kissed her, the music started up again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tight.
“Excuse me, can we get in here, and, you know, congratulate the newly engaged?” Emily asked.
Mae laughed as Caleb reluctantly let her go. She hugged Emily and then Pete, and went to Caleb.
“You set this up?” Mae asked.
“Actually, I did,” Emily said. “I helped. Caleb wanted to do something in front of the whole town, but I wanted it to take center stage, and seeing as I know a lot of people, I was able to get my way.”
Her friend looked really happy about that.
Leaning up against Caleb, Mae felt amazing.
“You know, we should leave them alone,” Pete said.
They got another hug from their friends, and then she turned to Caleb. “I love you,” she said. “And I think now is the time to tell you that I’ve kind of had a crush on you since high school.”
“You have?” he asked.
“Yeah, uh, I don’t know if you remember this, but my books were pushed out of my hand—”
“I remember.” He pulled her in close so that his lips were against her ear. “And I spent a lot of time admiring your ass, Mae. Trust me, I had waited a long time for you, and I knew you weren’t ready for me. The moment you walked into that bar, you were mine.”
Epilogue
Ten Years Later
Caleb put a hand to the baby currently laid across his chest. He had on a baby carrier that allowed him to walk with his hands free, and he couldn’t help but stroke her back. Amelia was only six months old, but he didn’t want her or any of his children to miss the Halloween celebrations.
Mae was currently at the shop with Emily, finishing up with the last of the customers, and she had Alfie with her.
His eldest son, along with Emily’s youngest, were both nine years old, and both book lovers. He already saw a future where their children married. Alfie and Jennifer were inseparable. They were the best of friends.
He and Pete, along with Kasey and Leah, were enjoying what Halloween Point had to offer.
Currently, he was enjoying a pumpkin-flavored ice cream, with a hint of cinnamon chocolate sauce. It was so good.
Kasey and Leah held his other daughter’s hand.
Where Emily and Pete had given birth to a daughter, his and Mae’s first had been twins. Alfie and Louise were their twins, and were nothing alike. Alfie was quiet, Louise was loud. Alfie liked to read, while Louise liked to go in the garden and adventure. Yep, even he had an issue with her attempting to gain a live spider collection. He had banned her from bringing them into the house.
After Alfie and Louise, three years later, they had given birth to Selma, who he was holding hands with right now, and enjoying an ice cream of her own.
Pete had his other son, Mitchell, on his shoulders, and he carried Amelia on his chest.
Ten years of marriage, five children, and he was one of the happiest men alive.
Growing up, he had hated Halloween Point. All he could think about was getting out of it. Now, as a married man, he had five children and two thriving businesses, as Mae had insisted on putting him on the deed to the shop as well.
His life was so different. He was not the playboy anymore. He knew women stared at him as he walked down the street with his kids, or was seen at the grocery store, filling a cart, taking them to school in a minivan. He had changed, for the love of one woman—his wife. Mae, the girl he’d fallen for in high school, but the one girl he never thought he could have. Until she walked into a bar, and he’d known she was ready.
They came to a stop outside their mother’s shop, and Mae, dressed in a princess costume this year, came out, with Alfie and Jennifer as ghouls. They had a bag he just knew had a couple of books inside. Emily was there as well, looking mighty happy with herself.
Each year he and Mae thrived, she believed it was down to her awesome matchmaking skills, and he couldn’t argue with her. Without Emily, his proposal wouldn’t have gotten the punch it needed.