Epilogue

Epilogue

Three Months Later

Cherry

It’s been nice to be able to slowly move my things over to Zeke’s condo.

Well, our condo now.

It took a full week to decide how we were going to integrate all our stuff. We didn’t have room for two couches, two dining sets, and well, two of just about everything.

But with very little arguing, we figured it out and kept the castoffs in my old condo so we could take everything over to Samson House for donations when the time came, and someone else could get life out of the things that Zeke and I didn’t need.

“I think that’s it,” Zeke says as he sets the last box in the moving truck we rented for the occasion. We have some fragile things in the back of my SUV, and I reach up to hit the button to close it. Zeke fixed that for me last week, and I have to admit, the gesture made me swoon. He seems to find ways to do that to me often these days. “Let’s head out.”

“I’ll follow you.”

“No, we’ll come back for the stuff in the car later. I want to go together.”

I shrug and climb up into the truck.

“I’m so excited.” I buckle my seat belt in the truck that sits super high up, my stomach jittering. “So many people can use these things.”

“There’s some good stuff in there,” he agrees. “I still say we should have kept my dining room set.”

“It looked like something out of a gothic horror novel,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “Where did you even get it?”

“It was on clearance in Alabama years ago.”

“Exactly. It was on clearance because no one else wanted that monstrosity . But I think someone could sand it down, paint it something other than black, and make it nice. I just don’t have the time for it.”

“Not to mention, you hate it.”

I grin over at him. “I really do. Sorry, babe.”

“It’s just a dining set.” He shrugs and pulls into the Samson House parking lot, where they accept donations.

When I jump out of the truck, I’m surprised to find that we’re not the only ones here.

In fact, there must be a dozen trucks of all shapes and sizes, and our friends are stepping out of them.

Luna and Wolfe, Sarah and Tanner, June and her new husband, Apollo. Montana, Indigo, Amaryllis, and so many others from town are all grinning big as they hurry over to us.

“What are you guys doing?”

“We decided to make this a huge donation day,” Montana says with a proud grin, winking at Zeke.

“What did you do?” I ask him.

“This is my town now,” he says with a shrug. “I know people. And we decided that we’d all support you today.”

I don’t know if I’ve ever loved anyone more as I lean in and kiss Zeke’s shoulder.

“Thank you,” I whisper and then turn back to the others. “Thank you all so much.”

“No, thank you ,” June says with a laugh. “Thanks to you, I managed to purge a hell of a lot of stuff out of Annabelle’s house. That woman never throws anything away.”

“There’s no need to throw it away,” the manager of Samson House says as she walks outside. “Because we’ll happily take it. Let’s get started, shall we?”

Everyone returns to their trucks to dig in and get everything organized, but I turn to Zeke first.

“I love you so much for this.”

“Just for this?”

“It tops the list right now, yes. Thank you.”

“If you’re happy, I’m happy, baby.”

We ended up at Lighthouse Pizza for some lunchtime food, pool, karaoke, and darts with all our friends.

And now that we’re back home, I’m sitting on the balcony, taking in the sunset over the ocean. The clouds are moody, but they broke long enough to give us an amazing show.

Zeke opens the sliding door and joins me, passing me some wine.

“I’ll never get tired of this view.” I clink my glass to his in cheers and then take a sip.

“Me, neither,” Zeke says, but when I turn to look at him, I find him watching me.

“You’re smitten.”

“Oh, absolutely.”

“I love the painting Sarah did for above the couch.” I crane my neck so I can look in the window at the big seascape that now hangs in our living room. “She’s just so dang good. ”

“She put the dog in the painting,” Zeke says casually.

“And it’s adorable.”

“I was thinking, what if we got a real dog to go with the painting?”

I blink over at him. “Really?”

“Don’t you like dogs?”

“Of course, I like dogs. What’s not to like? But we’re kind of busy right now finalizing the sale of the other condo, getting my store going, and everything else.”

“I can take the dog to the garage with me. And I’m sure you could take it with you to your shop once it’s open.”

My heart stutters at that. I managed to sell my condo for much more than the asking price, thanks to Indigo Lovejoy. And I’ll have plenty of money to buy a little storefront in downtown Huckleberry Bay, where I can make all my products and even hold classes to teach others how to do it, as well.

I’m so damn excited, I can hardly contain myself.

“Baby?”

“Yeah, I could probably do that. But puppies are so much work, Zeke.”

“Maybe not a puppy.” He sips his wine. “Maybe we visit the shelter and rescue someone who needs a home.”

“How many times are you going to make me cry today?” I wipe at a tear and then laugh when he just smiles at me. “Yes, I think that’s a good idea.”

“Good deal.” He reaches over for my hand. “Our family is already growing.”

Our family.

That might be the best thing I’ve ever heard.

* * * *

Also from 1001 Dark Nights and Kristen Proby, discover The Substitute , The Scramble , Change With Me , Shine With Me , Wonder With Me , Soaring With Fallon , Tempting Brooke , No Reservations , Easy With You , Easy For Keeps , and Indulge With Me .