EPILOGUE

“ The rose garden is certainly looking great ever since you put your green thumb to work,” Jai said as he met me out by a dying rose bush.

“Thanks for the encouraging words, honey, but this is a lot more work than I expected. I just can’t get this bush to thrive. Look at the leaves... all brown.”

“I think it was already dying before you arrived. But the rest looks healthy... thriving.”

I stood, removed my gardening gloves and leaned in to kiss him. “Sometimes I have the impression you just love anything I do.”

“Anything and everything,” he said, kissing me back.

“Hey, love birds,” Keely called out as she confidently marched through the garden to meet up with us. “Sorry to interrupt this lovely moment, but I need to speak with the little lady here.”

“I guess that’s my cue to retreat,” Jai said with a deep bow and a flourish before backing away.

I ran to Keely and hugged her tightly. “What are you doing here? This is such an unexpected surprise.”

“I do love to catch you off guard.”

“Hey,” I said as I guided her back to the house. “I still have some of that tea that you love. Want a cup?”

“I would love that?”

“Wait for me here,” I said, pointing to the wrought iron table set on the patio. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

Moments later, I returned with a tea tray, complete with biscuits and finger sandwiches. Keely let out a laugh as I set the tea tray down.

“You’ve really become an English lady, haven’t you.”

“It’s not every day that I have such a special visitor.”

I poured tea into a cup and set it in front of her as well as a small plate for the added treats. After pouring tea for myself and taking a hot sip, I sat back and looked at her.

“So, tell me. What has you up in Derbyshire?”

She looked at me with a teasing grin. “A new project.”

“Oh?” I said, instantly intrigued.

“As you know, Pride and Prejudice was very well received. Not only did we get our investments back, but we also made a pretty penny.”

“And I do appreciate every penny.”

“Well, I do hope you’ll consider re-investing a few of those pennies into this new project.”

“Which is... what?”

“Jane Austen’s Emma .”

I smiled. I already loved it.

Jai came out to join us. “Everything okay out here? You ladies need anything?”

“Oh, Jai,” Keely said. “I’m glad you came out to join us. I’m hoping to use Moon Manor again for another movie. What do you say?”

Jai and I looked at each other and smiled.

“Yes!”