~ Four Months Later~
MY FINGERS PAUSE on the keyboard as the smell of fresh cookies wafts into the studio. I eagerly inhale the sugary scent, my lids sliding shut as the chocolate goodness soaks into me.
Darla, the owner of Betcha Buns, must be baking up a storm for the annual Frozen Days celebration. I’ve developed quite the sweet tooth thanks to her decadent desserts. Probably doesn’t hurt that the bakery is next door.
I glance out the window and watch the bustling activity buzzing along Main Street. It seems like everyone in town is flooding the sidewalks for the upcoming holiday season. I smile as the vibrant joy spreads through the air.
Denten was a good choice for us.
An upbeat tune from the radio pulls my focus from the people milling by. My eyes land on my future wife as she shimmies her hips while securing fabric to the dress form. Lennon’s glossy brown hair whips around with her movements and I’m hypnotized by the flowing waves.
She’s so beautiful.
It’s a shame to interrupt her dancing but she’ll be shaking her butt again in no time.
“Sunny?”
Her aqua orbs lift to me as she mumbles, “Hmmm?”
“You’re adorable,” I chuckle as she struggles to speak around a mouthful of pins.
Lennon winks while pulling them from her lips. “What’s up, Ry?”
“There’s a ton of people out there,” I say while gesturing outside. “Still ready to open tomorrow?”
Her features light up with a huge grin. “It’s going to be perfect. This is the ideal time of year to start selling directly from the shop. Best idea yet.”
“We make a great team.”
“That we do, Ry.”
The low hum from the sewing machine kicks in as Lennon sits at her desk. The yellow notes I gave her this morning are stuck on top of her work station, right where she can read them while finishing final touches.
I’m so proud of you, Sunny.
You’re so brilliant and talented and tomorrow the town will finally get to see what I’ve known all along.
I love you. I love you. I love you.
A happy sigh escapes me while recalling the stunning joy covering her features. Each time I give her a yellow square, it seems like the first time. She loves those little pieces of paper and her reaction always chokes me up.
I clear the emotion from my throat. “Pretty soon everyone in Denten will be wearing Len’s Looks. This town is practically begging for more clothing store options. The grand opening will be intense,” I murmur with nervous energy skittering under my skin.
This is a huge opportunity for Lennon, for us, but a herd of people trampling into our sanctuary freaks me out.
As if hearing my internal struggle, she laughs lightly, “But not too crazy. We’ll just play it by ear. If by some wild chance a crowd forms, we can call Darla for backup.”
The tension bubbling within me evaporates with a chuckle. “She’d love that. Pretty sure she’ll be over here the entire day regardless.”
“Speaking of, have you talked to her about the cake samples?”
“Not yet. I’ve been waiting until her coconut frosting arrived. You know that’s my favorite flavor,” my voice rasps.
Lennon’s cheeks flush and she giggles softly. “You’re so romantic.”
“Damn straight. Need an extra hand over there?”
She holds up her palm. “I’ve gotta finish these two dresses. You need to talk to Darla. Once she catches wind of our approximate wedding date, she’ll want to start planning.”
“No doubt about that,” I sigh and picture Darla’s glee. That woman has become like a mother to me and will surely go way over the top with this project. The upcoming months flicker through my mind and excitement unfurls in my gut. Lennon is going to look stunning in all white.
“There hasn’t been much typing going on over there, Mister Doxson.” Lennon’s melodic tone breaks me from my thoughts.
“Too busy thinking of you, Soon-To-Be Missus Doxson.” I shoot her a smirk.
Her blue-green eyes peek up at me from behind the sewing machine, the project laid out in front of her temporarily forgotten. A pink hue paints her face and my chest puffs wide knowing I’ve made her blush twice already.
She bites her lip before muttering, “Such a sweet talker.”
“You know it, Sunshine. Getting hungry? Wanna visit Darla with me?” I suggest while rubbing my stomach, picturing the yummy goodness she’ll have waiting next door.
Her head bobbles back and forth. “Let me finish this row of stitches quick. Maybe we can wander down to Sally’s for some hot coco after?”
“Extra marshmallows?”
“Obviously,” she scoffs.
“That’s the good stuff.”
Lennon snickers while adjusting her grip on the colorful material. “I’ll show you some great stuff later.”
“Tease,” I call out and she winks wickedly before blowing me a kiss.
This is our new routine, working together at Len’s Looks during the day and snuggling upstairs all night.
What could be better?
Maybe sharing a last name but I’m not pushing the subject. We aren’t in a huge hurry to get married—I’m more than happy to have her wear my ring. I’ve got something extra special in the works for after we’re husband and wife though.
Her sunshine diamond glitters from the light pouring through the front windows as she feeds the machine more detailed fabric. I believe this piece includes lyrics from her favorite song written out in binary code. The seams are decorated with lines of the computer language many in the fashion world don’t understand. To them, the pattern of numbers and the occasional letter looks like nonsense. A jumble of undefined meaning, scrambled beyond reason, but it looks cool as hell.
That’s what sets apart the Seeking Sunshine collection, the designs are uniquely ours. We’ve collaborated to build a brand that incorporates both of us.
The clothes are being sent out into the world but only we know the love story written into the designs. My eyes sweep the room, checking out the array of merchandise, as pride swells within my chest.
The shirt draped over a dress form includes a few lines from my proposal that’s been encrypted as a string of green code. The number sequence loops around the bottom half of the blue material is an elegant swirl. The rack of dresses in the corner include words describing several firsts we’ve experienced. The code loops around the neckline, traces down the zipper, and ends around the hem. There’s a pile of yellow tank tops folded on the table that have messages from her favorite sticky notes. Every piece is different, exactly how she wanted them.
All of our sales come from online but that’s about to change when we open the doors to local customers. I’m confident news will spread of the diverse styles Lennon’s magical fingers create. The hidden messages we’ve included gives the collection an added edge that people will want to wear.
So far, business is booming and all her dreams are really coming true.
I silently watch Lennon work, pouring so much soul into each fluid movement. I asked her once if she was happy and held my breath waiting for her response. Now, I always see the joy clearly in the blue of her aqua eyes and feel the bliss with each cherished touch.
This is what love is.
Separately we were two broken halves, misunderstood and hopelessly waiting for someone to look beyond the jagged edges. Together we’ve defined a new normal—a beautiful life that’s vibrant and different and ours.
“Whatcha looking at, Ry?” Lennon questions with a knowing smile lifting her perfect lips.
“You. Always you, Sunshine.”
THE END
But I have a special surprise . . .
Want more Ryker and Lennon? Click here for a bonus epilogue!
WOW. I’M STILL a tad shocked Watch Me Follow is done and published. This story was a tough one for me, in so many ways, and I honestly couldn’t have survived without my amazing crew of support. I’m extremely blessed and honored to have so many fantastic people in my corner rooting me on.
My husband deserves some kind of fancy award for taking on double the work while I completed this book. He’s honestly the greatest life partner I could ask for and am beyond lucky to have him by my side. Without him, being an author would remain a pipe dream, so I owe my guy everything.
A huge thanks to my family for their endless outpouring of love and encouragement.
What can I say about Ace Gray? She’s taught me countless lesson that at times were very tough but extremely meaningful. My writing is better and my stories are stronger because of her. She’s brilliant and talented and I’m thankful she’s my friend.
I owe Talia, from Talia’s Book Covers, a ton for her hard work and dedication to my books. She’s always there when I need her, without a second of hesitation. I’ve found the meaning of true teamwork with this lovely lady. Her designs are gorgeous and her talent is limitless.
I’m so very glad to Melissa in my life. Her bright personality and constant help keep me going. When I first started writing Watch Me Follow, she was there to truly see what the story meant to me.
Cindy is fantastic and wonderful and an amazing friend. She’s always there with warm advice and kind comfort. Thank you for everything!