EPILOGUE

E PILOGUE

The sunlight forced its way through wispy clouds, casting a warm, golden glow across the beach. A gentle breeze whispered through the air, carrying the scent of water and damp earth along with the faint tang of sunscreen. It was mid-April, the air chilly whenever the clouds hovered for too long. But Chloe had wanted to get away for a few days, spend time with her kids before the school year ended.

Blake and Rowan threw a Frisbee, playing with boundless energy. They laughed and shouted joyfully as they tossed it back and forth. They looked happy and carefree.

Ridley stood at the water’s edge, the cool water reaching her toes. A boy with his little sister in tow stopped to chat. Then he handed Ridley something. It was a rock. With the flick of his wrist, a stone in his hand skipped across the surface of the water, sending outward ripples. Ridley watched him throw another rock before she gave it a try. Her stone skipped and hopped. His little sister jumped up and down excitedly. For the first time in more than a year, Ridley’s laughter rang out, her animated gestures and bright smile a stark contrast to the melancholy that had shrouded her since Daniel’s passing.

Chloe watched her daughter chat with the boy. He was an inch taller than Blake, and he had a boyish face. Chloe guessed his age to be the same as Ridley’s. They were only a short distance away, and Chloe took joy in the way the sunlight peeked through the clouds and caught her daughter’s profile. She felt a renewed sense of hope stirring within her. Despite all the obstacles they had faced, witnessing her daughter’s joy filled her with a sense of gratitude and optimism.

The serene surroundings of Lake Tahoe were a fitting backdrop for reflections on life, with all its trials and tribulations, twists and turns, the challenges of divorce, the profound bond she shared with Shannon and Mac, and knowing that beyond every bend were new hurdles and opportunities. It was moments like this that Chloe had been missing. She had always been running from one thing to the next, her life a blur until now; the laughter of loved ones and the beauty of nature reminded her that life was a delicate balance.

Only one thing was missing.

“Look, Mom,” Rowan shouted from across the way. He pointed at the row of pines and redwoods hiding the small parking lot behind her. Chloe shifted in her beach chair, surprised to see Shannon and Mac.

They had made it after all.

With a glance heavenward, Chloe sent thanks to Rosella for taking matters into her own hands and illuminating a path she had never thought she’d tread, leading her to exactly where she needed to be. She stood, brushed the sand off her, and opened her arms wide.