“Okay, thank goodness.” She let out a breath of relief.

“You don’t have to worry, babe.”

“That’s never stopped me before.” She climbed into his lap and put her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I was really scared tonight.”

He kissed her forehead, stroking her back, and said, “I know. I’m sorry.”

“I’m glad you’re both okay.”

She held him tighter, and it broke his heart knowing what he had to say next, but there was no way around it. “Roni, I know you said you’re all in, but if this ever gets to be too much for you—”

She covered his lips with her finger and lifted her loving eyes to his. “What am I, lazy?” she said, throwing his own words back at him. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Quincy. You’re stuck with me.”

As she lowered her lips to his, he said, “There’s no place else I’d rather be.”

Chapter Nineteen

THE HELMS TREE Farm was everything Roni remembered and so much more. It had snowed on and off all weekend, and by late Sunday afternoon, Peaceful Harbor was blanketed with several inches. The Helmses’ two dogs, each with a big red bow on its collar, greeted guests with wagging tails and sloppy kisses. Festive music blared from speakers, and colorful holiday lights twinkled against the flurries falling from the sky. People of all ages were bundled up in hats and scarves, meandering in and out of the gift shop and milling around the walk-up window of the weathered snack shack, drinking hot chocolate and warm cider. Children were running around playing, and families were sledding behind the gift shop. Others headed out to the fields, trekking between rows of lush trees with tufts of white gathered on their branches, while lucky tree hunters returned pulling their prized six- or seven-footers. There were horse-drawn wagon rides, the horses decked out with bells and bows, and a make-your-own wreath station under a pavilion. Roni snuggled closer to Quincy. He was smiling as he took it all in, flurries glistening on his gray beanie and black winter jacket.

This was exactly what they needed after a few stressful days. Since it was one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, Quincy had worked all day Friday and Saturday, and today he’d worked until three. But Roni didn’t mind. It had given her time to shop with Angela for Christmas decorations and a gift for Josie’s party. She’d also picked up a few stocking stuffers for Quincy, which she was excited to give him. They’d stayed at his place the last two nights since she had the weekend off, and Quincy had surprised her with a key to his apartment Friday night so she could come and go while he was working. She loved being there. It was starting to feel more like home than her own apartment. Their evenings had been intimate and wonderful, but Simone had called a few times late at night, and it had taken Quincy a while to settle down afterward. There was a code of anonymity that went along with sponsorship, and while Quincy didn’t share details of their conversations, he’d explained that with substance abuse, when drugs are held out like carrots to a horse, even if the person in recovery is strong at the moment and turns away, the urges don’t stop there. Roni didn’t mind Simone’s calls. It had given her another level of perspective, and she liked how invested Quincy was in Simone’s recovery. He worked so hard; he needed today even more than she did. When he set those clear blue eyes on her and pressed his lips to hers, she could already see the good it was doing.