"In here!"
She followed Cooper's voice into the back, where a large, open-plan kitchen opened up on a breakfast room with a wall of windows. "Cooper!" she exclaimed, looking around. "This is amazing!"
"You like it?" Cooper came to greet her with a kiss. Poppy looked around in awe.
"Are you kidding? The light . . . and this view!" There was nothing between the house and the bay, just lush grass leading down to a white picket fence, the dunes, and the sparkling ocean. "It's incredible."
"There's a view from every room," he said, showing her to the family room, with cute built-ins and French doors out to the porch. "I managed to restore these cabinets from the originals," he added, clearly proud of his handiwork. "And all those arches and cornicing are original, too."
Poppy shook her head in amazement. "I can't believe it. It seems like only yesterday this was all just bare foundation and joists."
"And noise," Cooper said, grinning.
"That too," she laughed, remembering their first meeting.
"Come on, let me show you around." Cooper took her hand and led her through, pointing out the gorgeous marble in the kitchen, and all the historical details he'd taken such pains to preserve. He really was an artist, Poppy realized, seeing just how many tiny decisions had gone into making such a magnificent space. It was homey and spacious all at once, and she couldn't help but feel envious that some lucky person would get to call this home.
"This is my favorite room," Cooper said with a smile, as he took her upstairs and opened the door to the master suite. "It faces east, so you get sunrise every morning."
"Oh my god," Poppy breathed, taking in the amazing windows. She wandered closer, out onto the balcony overlooking the whole bay. "If I lived here, I would never get out of bed!"
"Good." Cooper wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I'll hold you to that."
Poppy twisted around. "What do you mean?"
"I thought we could live here," he said casually, like he was suggesting they go for breakfast, or watch a new show on TV tonight.
She blinked, stunned. "Are you serious?"
Cooper kissed her gently, then pulled back with a smile. "I knew from the start that this project was different. It's not just another house to me. It's a home. And . . . I'd like it to be our home. If you want."
Poppy couldn't believe it. "Yes!" she exclaimed. "Oh my god, yes. But, are you sure?" she checked, before she could run away with the idea. "I know we've been spending every night together, but moving in is a big step. I don't want to rush you."
"There's no rush." Cooper held her closer, so she could rest her head against his chest. "As far as I'm concerned, forever can take its sweet time."
She let out a breath, soaking in the feeling of his embrace, and the steady beating of his heart. He was right, she realized happily.
They had forever now, and she would savor every minute of it.
THE END
Thank you for reading! If you'd like to stay in Sweetbriar a little longer, keep scrolling to read the first chapter of the next book in the series: ALL FOR YOU.
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Welcome to Sweetbriar Cove, the small town where true love is guaranteed!
Book 2:
ALL FOR YOU
Summer Bloom lives for adventure -- and buttercream bourbon frosting. As a high-end pastry chef, she spends her days (and nights, and weekends) whipping up sweet treats, but when an unexpected detour leads her to the dilapidated bakery on Blackberry Lane, she decides to take a chance on her dreams and leave it all behind for a new life in Sweetbriar Cove. She has everything she needs for baking bliss - she just isn't expecting her new landlord to melt her heart, as well as her chocolate truffles...
Grayson Reid knows better than to fall for his impulsive new tenant. He keeps his life quiet and drama-free, but there's something about Summer he just can't resist. He's learned the hard way that a woman can turn your whole world upside down, but her kisses - and those croissants - are too tempting to ignore. He's determined to keep the lid on their romance, but soon, their chemistry is heating up the kitchen - and he doesn't want to play it safe any more.
Can this headstrong pair mix the right ingredients for love? Or will their passion burn out before they can find their happily-ever-after?
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