Epilogue
One Year Later…
Andi swiped at a rogue bit of flour with the sleeve of her shirt. Since October, orders had been pouring in. They weren’t showing any signs of slowing down, either. She was now the official supplier of The Book Nook’s book club snacks, the Cherry Creek Christmas Festival’s gingerbread houses for the first official gingerbread house contest, and of course, she supplied Jackson and the Cozy Cup with all the cinnamon rolls, scones, quick bread, and cookies they could possibly need.
“How many more houses do we need for the festival?” Andi called out to her new assistant, Lizzy.
“A dozen. Maybe more,” Lizzy called as she carried in two more trays of baked houses and placed them in the baker’s rack.
“Probably want to give a few spare parts in case of accidents, don’t you think?”
“Yeah,” Andi agreed. “That’s a good idea.”
Andi and Lizzy met in the spring when they were both scoping out the auction that was held at the old bakery in town. They’d clicked instantly and made a great baking team. Andi didn’t know what she would have done without Lizzy’s help.
In the beginning, Jackson was around to help. But, once business at The Cozy Cup picked up, and even surpassed its former volumes, her boyfriend had little time to play assistant. But, being in the shop’s kitchen all the time, she still got to see him plenty.
He caught her staring at him from across the room and finished up his conversation. He made his way over, greeting everyone he passed along the way. Since the shop was so crowded, it took him a few minutes to arrive in front of her. Her constant smile grew even wider when he did.
“Well, hello,” she said. “Can I help you, Sir?”
“Uh, yes,” he said. “I need you to come see if the Christmas tree in the front window passes inspection.”
“It looks fine,” Andi said, glancing at the tree.
“No,” Jackson urged her, taking her hand and leading her up to the front of the shop. “I just need you to come look.”
“Okay,” Andi said with a shake of her head. “Be right back, Lizzy.”
Andi wiped her hands off on her apron as she walked to the front of the shop. “The tree looks great,” she said when she was next to it.
“I got some new ornaments,” Jackson said, waving a hand in front of the tree.
“Did you go to an estate sale without me?” she asked with a pout. “You know the rule.”
“No,” he laughed. “But I did go to a jewelry store,” he said. He took a step back but pointed to a particularly shiny part of the tree décor.
“What’s this?” Andi said, stepping closer to examine one of the ornaments. Inside of a clear plastic ball, sat a delicate band with a rounded diamond on its top. It was simple. And beautiful. And she couldn't have picked something better if she'd tried.
Andi turned to Jackson. She found him waiting behind her on one knee. “I couldn’t think of a better place to ask you this,” he said with tears in his eyes. “The night you walked in here was the best night of my life. And every time you walk in a room, I feel the same way I felt the first time I saw you. I love you.”
Andi gasped and tears filled her own eyes as she brought her hands up to her mouth. “I love you, too,” she said. Her lip quivered. Her heart soared.
“Will you marry me?” Jackson asked.
Andi nodded over and over again until she was able to speak. “Yes,” she finally said. “I will.”
Applause broke out in The Cozy Cup. Andi looked around to find some of her favorite people smiling and clapping for the two of them. What a difference a year had made. It felt so good to be home.