“Why would she do that? The economy is crap right now, and she already has a career,” he answered and Audrey’s heart sunk. She didn’t know why, she knew that was what he was going to say, but still. It broke her that he didn’t think she could do it. That she couldn’t succeed.

You’ll never make things happen for yourself.

The hell she wouldn’t!

“But everyone is looking for a little piece of happiness,” Audrey found herself saying. Her heart was pounding against her chest, but she didn’t care. Everyone looked at her as she went on, “If their happiness is in a three dollar cupcake, people will buy it.”

William’s gaze was questioning, and out the corner of her eye she could see Fallon with a bright smile as Nora stood with her lips parted in shock.

“Have you thought of this?” William asked.

Audrey shrugged her shoulder, “I have, it is a dream of mine.”

“Really?” Nora asked, “I always thought it was a little hobby.”

“No,” Audrey said shaking her head, “I would like to make it a business, but I don’t know if I can be successful,” she said slowly, glancing up at her father.

“You’d want to leave Rocky Top for a cupcake shop?” William asked in bewilderment.

“Yes.”

The patio door opened and Tate, Lucas, and Aiden came running in. Aiden’s nose was red, dripping with snot. Lucas and Tate were no different; matching red and snot noses. They sure were a sight to see. Tate smiled, coming towards her, and wrapping her up in his arms. When he ran his cold nose on her neck, she squealed trying to get away, but he wasn’t letting go.

“Tate!” she giggled. She forgot that she was in a room filled with her family and when she noticed, she didn’t care. She was happy. Tate kissed her jaw and when he smiled down at her, she couldn’t stop the wide grin that almost broke her face. She loved his gap, she always had. She remembered when it would draw all her attention, but it was different now. It was his whole face that got all her attention. It wasn’t that she didn’t love his gap, she loved it, but it was overshadowed by the happiness on his face. He honestly blew her away.

He moved his hand up, cupping her face before kissing her nose. “Are you having a nice Christmas?” he asked, nuzzling his nose against her cheek. It was new to have a man love on her in front of her family and when she sneaked a look at them, they were all watching her with loving grins. They wanted her to be happy.

“I am, are you?”

Tate nodded, “It has been one of the best.”

Audrey smiled, kissing his lips. He made her deliriously happy. Who would have thought, a month ago, she didn’t want to be with him?

What an idiot!

When they parted, Audrey laid her head on his chest and then looked over at her family. Fallon smiled, leaning against the island of her kitchen, her eyes dancing with mischief as she watched them. She made Audrey nervous. She didn’t like the way Fallon was grinning or the way she was eyeing Tate and when the next words left her lips, she knew her intuition was right.

Fallon was up to no good.

“So Tate, we were just talking about Audrey opening a cupcake shop, what do you think?”

Tate looked up, and smiled, “I think it is a great idea. Audrey makes wonderful cupcakes.”

Everyone nodded, but William. Audrey looked over at her father as he took in a deep breath, and she knew this was about to be a fight.

“Yes, but, Tate,” William said, “don’t you think this economy is crap and new businesses are not doing well?”

“I don’t disagree with you, William, but this is about Audrey living her dream. I bet people told Patrick Roy that he would never have a shut out during a game, and he did it 23 times in one season.” Tate smiled, glancing down at Audrey before he looked back up at William and continued, “Why should we tell Audrey all the things that could cause her to fail when there are so many things that could cause her to succeed?”

“Like what, Tate?” William asked, crossing his arms, “What makes you believe she would succeed?”

Tate looked down at Audrey and winked, “She can do anything she sets her mind to, and I, for one, will be behind her 100%. I believe in her. I am surprised you don’t.”

Audrey looked up at her father to see his shocked expression. She was pretty sure no one but Fallon stood up to her father. Knowing that Tate had only been dating Audrey for little over a month and he was ready to go to bat for her, made her love him even more.

“I do believe in my daughter, Tate,” William said with narrowed eyes, “I am having a hard time seeing how she thinks starting a cupcakery is a better career choice than working in a company that has been around for decades.”

“Because it doesn’t make her happy,” Tate said, moving away from Audrey, “Shouldn’t she do something that makes her happy, that gives her a reason to go to work?”

William glanced over at Audrey, “You don’t love Rocky Top?”

Audrey felt the cold hard stare of her father but even with fear settling in her bones, she didn’t have to think of her answer. “No, I hate it, Daddy.”

Nora took in a sharp breath as William shook his head, “I don’t believe it. This conversation is over.”

“No, it is not, Daddy,” Audrey said, taking a step forward. “I love you. I do, Daddy, so much but I hate Rocky Top. I’m not Fallon. I don’t breathe wine. I breathe cupcakes. I want my own place. I want to make people happy with my little creations, and I want to be happy.”