38. Epilogue

Taking deep breaths, I step back from the stack of books I've arranged in what I hope is an eye-catching display. I cross the task off my to-do list and realize there's nothing left to do. After three months of hard work, everything is in place and I'm—I check my watch—thirty minutes away from opening my bookstore.

My bookstore.

I can still hardly believe the words. But as I take one last look around, I can't help but be proud of what I've accomplished. Even though the painted words at the top of the building have been restored to say Sparks Auto Shop as per the historic designation requirements, there's another sign out front with the official name of the store: The Story Sparks.

Everything outside has been restored with an eye to how the shop looked a hundred years ago based on the records and pictures Grandpa and Granny Sparks dug up. The red brick has been power-washed, the broken white awning torn down since it wasn't original to the building, and the broken glass in the front door replaced. The only thing new on the outside is the garage door. It's a replica, but can be opened and closed with the push of a button instead of by hand.

Inside, on the other hand, is unrecognizable. The only thing that stayed is the old Mustang. But even it looks totally different. Although it's freshly painted bright red and the upholstery is all new, there's no engine under the hood, the tires on the wheels are props, and the steering wheel doesn't move. The front seats face the back seat. The table between them is stacked with books about cars.

Instead of dingy gray, the walls not covered with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves are a soft cream color. Except in the children's area, where they're a bright turquoise blue. I've got a comfy yellow cushioned chair in the corner for Mrs. C. She'll be reading stories as part of our grand opening.

Basically, it's perfect. Everything I dreamed.

Ironically, I couldn't have done everything I wanted without Captain Markham. Aside from being the motivation for me to leave LA and the police force behind, he also made it possible for me to get all the money I needed for the store.

By the time I got back to LA, the other female officers who'd filed complaints had hired a lawyer. Apparently, while I was the first to officially file a complaint against Markham, other women had made verbal complaints that went unanswered. In order to avoid a lawsuit, the LAPD agreed to settle with all the complainants, including me. I didn't go after Markham to get money, but the settlement was a nice bonus on top of his firing.

But the people I really couldn't have done this without are Georgia and the entire Thomsen and Sparks families, including Bear. Everyone has pitched in to get the store done in time for the summer tourist season. Whether knocking out the wall between the lobby and the shop, or putting in new plumbing, or designing, painting, and decorating, or planning the grand opening event, everyone helped.

Everyone but Heidi.

She passed a month ago.

There have been a lot of tears since then, but also so many opportunities for my new family to tell me about Heidi while we've worked. I feel like I know her, even though I never really got to know her while she was alive. In her honor, the children's area is named Heidi's Corner.

Georgia and Evie's college roommate, Izzy, who's an artist, even came all the way from Creekville, Virginia to paint a mural with famous characters from children's literature. Peter Pan, Alice, Charlotte, and Wilbur, Harry Potter, and so many others. And Heidi is in the middle of them. I'm already picturing kids asking who she is and me or Bear or Mrs. C. telling her story.

The back door opens, and I quickly wipe under my eyes. This is a happy day.

Bear walks in with his hands behind his back and a smile big enough to dry my tears.

I quickly cross the room to him. "Hi."

"Hi." With his hands still behind his back, he kisses the top of my head. I love that he can do that.

"What have you got there?" I try to peek around his back, but he pulls out his hands, holding a drink in each one.

"I brought you a celebration gift."

I take the drink he holds out to me and put the straw to my lips for a long sip. "I thought the Mustang was my celebration gift, but you can give me as many Grand Opening gifts as you want."

"This one isn't to celebrate the bookstore," he says with a hint of a reprimand.

"What's it for then?"

He gives me a disappointed look, and I rack my brain, searching for what he's talking about.

"That's iced coffee." He nods toward my drink.

Suddenly, I know. "I can't believe it's been a year." I step closer and gaze up at him. Less than an inch separates us. "Thanks for not spilling on me."

"Thanks for forgiving me." He winds his arm around my waist, closing the distance between us.

"Nothing to forgive. Reminds me of the best day of my life."

"The best?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Maybe not the very best." I shrug. "There've been a few good ones since then."

"A few." Bear nods. "And a lot more to come."

"I hope so." I rise on tiptoes to meet his kiss, but a knock on the door keeps it short.

Before I can open it, Georgia, Zach, Adam, Evie, Hope, Seb, and Charly all walk in. They're followed close behind by Seb's mom Gia, Pete Thomsen, and Granny and Grandpa Sparks.

"Where's Britta?" I ask as they circle me in a group hug.

"She'll be here," Georgia says. "She's showing Dex around Paradise."

"I told you not to set my sister up with a surfer," Zach chides her.

Georgia pats his chest. "You've got nothing to worry about. He's going back to LA tomorrow, and Britta will never leave Paradise."

I'm not so sure about that, but I don't say anything.

Then the door opens again, and three more people walk in: my mom, dad, and brother. They're nowhere near as warm and boisterous as Bear's family, but that's okay. They showed up for me because I asked them. Because that's what family does, and there's no one perfect way to do it.

That's what I've learned from Bear and his entire family. And as I look at each one of their and my own family's faces, I realize I'm not only living my dream, I'm living the happily ever after everyone dreams of.

Thanks so much for reading Enemies in Paradise! I hope you enjoyed Cassie and Bear"s story!