21. Epilogue

Epilogue

One year later

"Are you almost ready for the festival?" Justin asked.

"I am," Charlotte said. She called then, "Mama? Are you ready?"

"I am," her mother answered, coming down the stairs of their house.

Once called the Harrison house, they now called it the Harrison-Davis house. Charlotte had married Justin a few months prior, and they'd moved into her childhood home. Each morning, he and Charlotte either walked or rode into town to work in his practice. Without fail, every morning he also got her something from the bakery.

At last year's festival, word had gotten around that August had made several threats to families. He ended up not going on a sleigh ride with anyone at all, as Charlotte hadn't been the only one to walk away from him, only she'd done it before the sheriff had arrived.

"Leave or get locked up," were Sheriff Steele's words, and August chose the former. The sheriff wasn't fooling around, and everyone knew it. August had slunk away like a dog with his tail between his legs and his face the color of a tomato. Only, Charlotte's mother had to tell her that part, because she'd been in Justin's embrace and had missed August's embarrassment, and the temper tantrum he'd thrown.

The sheriff recently also had good news for them. A witness had been willing to step forward and tell a judge that he'd overheard Mr. Harrison's partner boasting about having swindled him. It was yet to be decided if anything would come of it, but they all appreciated Sheriff Steele's efforts.

Things were looking up, but even if nothing changed with getting back even a part of her father's business, it didn't matter. Charlotte had all she needed. Justin.

Charlotte wrapped her shawl around herself and stepped closer to Justin and her mother.

"Wait here," Justin said, holding up a hand as Charlotte neared the front door. "I have a surprise."

He hurried outside, and Charlotte and her mother waited. "What do you think it is?" her mother asked, curious .

"I have no idea. All I know is I've not been allowed in the barn for weeks, and people I don't know have been in and out of it!" Charlotte said. She thought about peering through the window, but didn't want to ruin the surprise.

A moment later, Justin opened the door. A huge grin was on his face. "It's ready. Come on out."

As she walked out, neither Charlotte nor her mother could stop the gasps that were pulled from them.

There on the front lawn stood a large sleigh. Two horses were proudly hitched to the front.

"Is this…is this our old sleigh?" Charlotte asked as she ran a hand over it.

"It is," Justin said. He couldn't keep the pride out of his voice. Carefully, he helped Charlotte and her mother into the sleigh, and then leaped in and took the reins.

"Oh!" He reached down under the seat. "I have a gift for each of you."

Charlotte laughed, her voice merry as a smile lit her face. "A ribbon and a box of candy."

"These were from me, in case you were wondering," he said.

"You are a dear," her mother said, holding her own ribbon and box of candies.

"No, I'm just a lucky guy," he said as he shook the reins and the horses started toward town.

"I know it's a year late," he told Charlotte. "But I hope this sleigh ride was worth waiting for? "

Charlotte rested her head on his shoulder. "I'd wait forever, if it meant I got to be with you."