Epilogue

Epilogue

Lily

B y the time the morning of Zoe and Max’s wedding arrived, we’d done a ton of work on the property. Harrison and Ethan built an arch that would be stored on the property for any weddings or events held at the farm. There was also a gazebo a quarter of the way around the lake for pictures and for couples who wanted a private moment during the ceremony and reception. It wasn’t visible from the house, barn, or wedding ceremony area.

We’d even cleared a path around the pond for couples to walk. It was lit with lanterns at night for a romantic setting.

The spring flowers were blooming just like I hoped they would be. I’d wanted bright colors, and I got it with white and yellow daffodils, blue delphiniums, purple larkspurs, and pink peonies and sweet peas. I wanted it to be known as the flower farm. Once people saw the pictures from this wedding, I hoped it would be.

A reporter from the paper had interviewed me and Jake about the repairs on Berta and the GTO. She loved hearing about how Grandpa won the GTO and how he met my grandmother. I even showed her the framed photographs in the barn. She took pictures of me in front of Berta and Jake in front of the GTO.

He was so proud of that car, and he looked good sitting on the GTO. I was pretty sure the reporter noticed how hot my face got when the photographer asked him to lean against the hood. Especially when Jake smiled and winked at me. There was no mistaking the naughty thoughts in his head.

Abby had come yesterday and taken photos of the barn, the farmhouse, and Berta surrounded with containers of flowers. The images were going to be part of the advertising campaign for the property, but I asked if I could have the photographs for the main house and Petals too.

Jake and I discussed what to do about my parents, and we decided distance was the best option. If they wanted to support us, then we’d allow them back into our lives, but that wasn’t likely. When Mom visited Petals a month after the party where she confronted Jake, I spoke before she could, telling her that my life and business decisions were not up for discussion. I set clear boundaries, and she’d left in a huff. We hadn’t spoken since, but my life was happier for it.

Jake only mentioned his mom in disgust when he’d noticed she’d cashed his check. We hadn’t heard from her since then either.

Harrison arrived on the farm first, unloading the chairs and tables for the wedding and reception. The women from Happily Ever Afters arrived soon after with coffee and bagels. Gia even hired an additional wedding planner, Ireland, to assist with the influx of weddings we were booking.

When Harrison finished setting up the chairs for the ceremony, I hung floral arrangements on the chairs next to the aisle. Harrison’s daughter, Wren, worked with Everly to place rocks on the edge of the aisle. Zoe wanted a natural look for her aisle, but we also had a white runner for brides who preferred it.

I’d kept an eye on the way Everly and Harrison interacted. She’d said they’d been friends since grade school. It didn’t seem like he was with Wren’s mother because he mentioned picking her up this morning from her mother’s house. There were times when Everly looked at Harrison, and I wondered if there was something else going on. But I might have been overthinking it. Now that I was happy with Jake, I wanted the same for everyone in my life.

I’d decorated the archway last night with the white and purple flowers Zoe requested. Once the chairs were done, I double-checked the archway to make sure nothing had come loose overnight. I usually liked to prepare as much as I could the day before, but outside weddings were more problematic and dependent on the weather. Thankfully, we hadn’t gotten any rain or wind last night.

Satisfied the wedding ceremony area was complete, I made my way to the barn. We’d finished preparations the night before, and walking inside, I was still awed by the transformation. Zoe wanted the photographs of my grandparents to remain. She’d said their love story gave them good luck.

There were white and purple flowers wrapped around branches I’d hung from the rafters to give it a woodland feel. It was so much more than a rustic farm wedding. It was beautiful, and I was positive Zoe’s guests would be pleased with the results.

Two crystal chandeliers were hung to give light to the space, a dance floor was near the stage, and the round tables were scattered through the rest of the rooms. With the twinkling lights and flowers, it was like being transported into another world.

Sophie stood by the cake table, looking for any imperfections caused by the transport. Gia checked the placement of the napkins and silverware. She was meticulous about details. I followed her to check the arrangements at the tables.

“Did you place a Post-it under a chair on each table so the guests know who wins the arrangement?” Everly asked Wren.

Wren, who looked to be about eight, was dressed in a white dress with eyelet detail, her hair intricately braided on top, with loose curls on the bottom I suspected were natural.

“Remember, there can only be one winner at the table,” Everly reminded her.

“Yeah, we don’t want anyone fighting over the flowers,” Gia said with a smile.

“There’s only one,” Wren promised, but there was a twinkle in her eye. I had a feeling she was incorrigible. I imagined Harrison had a tough time disciplining her if she got into trouble.

Ireland stopped in the doorway. “The bride is here with her attendants.”

Zoe had picked Savannah and Remi along with a few teacher friends she worked with to be in her bridal party.

Gia and Ireland left to show them the area on the first floor of the farmhouse where they could get ready. There wasn’t space for the groomsmen, so it wasn’t ideal. I wanted to get the summerhouse ready for that purpose, but I’d need a few more wedding deposits before I could pull that off.

The sky was clear with only a few clouds, but we had options if it rained. We worked closely with Harrison, and he offered to provide tents and heaters if necessary.

In talking to brides, we offered the barn and tent for the receptions and the outdoor area and even the back porch for small ceremonies. Every time I thought about my wedding, I imagined it on the back porch, where the memories of my grandparents were the strongest.

Jake was on the guest list and sat in the rows of chairs with Ryan. Max stood in front of the archway and next to his best man, Ethan, waiting nervously for his bride to appear.

Gia walked over to me. “Is everyone seated?”

“It looks like it,” I said, constantly scanning the area for any issues or concerns.

Gia sucked in a breath. “What is he doing here?”

“Who?” I asked, my stomach dropping at the idea there might be a problem.

“Silas Sharpe,” she hissed.

I scanned the rows for Gia’s archnemesis, and owner of our biggest competitor, Chesapeake Resort. He owned the venue and offered a one-stop shop for brides. He provided the venue, the food, the cake, and the wedding planner. I wasn’t sure if the flowers were provided in-house or not. I finally found him sitting tall in the row with Max’s friends. “He must be a friend of Max’s.”

“How did I not know he was on the guest list?” Gia asked, her voice still low.

“Remember, you put Ireland and Harper in charge of the seating chart so you could focus on the farm.” It made sense because we were so engrossed in getting the farm ready. She’d hired a second wedding planner for this purpose, and Harper was amazing at organizing things.

A low growl emitted from Gia’s throat, surprising me. “You think he’s here to scope out the competition?”

“It’s turning out to be amazing, so you have nothing to worry about. Now get the bridal party to start walking before the guests get antsy.”

Gia straightened, her face transforming into the cool and capable mask I was used to. “We’re walking in two.”

A few minutes later, the guests turned when Ireland’s brother, Finn, played the first few notes of Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major on the violin. Then Ethan’s son, Miles, walked down the aisle with one of Zoe’s cousins, who threw flower petals as they walked.

Gia directed the wedding party while I stood off to the side, ready to step in and help if she needed it.

Zoe’s sister was the last to walk before Zoe came into view. She looked so radiant in her wedding dress as she walked with her hand in the crook of her father’s arm. She kept her gaze on Max as she walked confidently toward him. She kissed her father’s cheek before he handed her off to Max.

The moment was even more meaningful because they’d chosen to get married on my farm, the place that already held so many wonderful memories.

While they exchanged vows, Jake turned in his seat, caught my gaze, and held it for a few seconds before he winked. Maybe he was saying that we’d be the ones getting married one day, or maybe it was just a sweet, shared moment. Jake and I were solid, but we hadn’t discussed something as serious as marriage. I wasn’t even sure he was interested in getting married.

He loved me, and that was enough for now. We didn’t like to spend the evenings apart. Not when we were so busy with our respective businesses during the day. So, he spent every night here and helped me around the house and farm.

He was the person I came home to, the soft spot to land. I couldn’t imagine us living anywhere else.

My heart was full when the preacher declared Max and Zoe husband and wife. Once the bridal party walked down the aisle, we sprang into action, some of us helping with the receiving while the others directed the guests to the porch for cocktails. Abby wanted the bridal party to pose for pictures in front of the pond, the gazebo, and the barn.

Zoe had even requested photographs in front of the house. As a surprise, I’d added flower arrangements on the columns and to the gazebo to enhance the pictures. This was my first wedding, and it was an advertisement of what was possible for events held here.

Gia mentioned making it part of a package, but I liked the idea of always having flowers in certain places as part of the flower farm’s reputation. I was still playing with the idea. If it was too expensive, I’d have to reconsider it. But for now, it was good marketing.

When pictures were finished, we guided everyone to the barn. Jake got my attention. “Sit down and take a break.”

“I’m kind of in charge, you know,” I said with a smile as I sat down next to him, grateful to be off my feet.

“You can take a few minutes to eat. Otherwise, you’ll pass out from hunger.”

Gia said we could take a break during dinner. That Ireland would be available if there was an issue.

“I’m so impressed with what you did with the barn. You really transformed the space,” Hailey said.

“Gia helped. She has a vision, along with the bride, and I make it happen.”

“It’s amazing, and it’s giving me ideas for my own wedding,” Hailey said.

I grinned. “That’s the idea.”

My dream had become reality. I let the good feelings flow through me. Even if my parents or sister weren’t here to see my success, it didn’t matter. The pictures would hang on the wall at Happily Ever Afters as an advertisement for other brides and grooms.

Jake leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Are you ready for things to get busier?”

“Not really.” I’d hired two part-timers to work at the shop, and so far, they’d worked out great. I held out until I found ones who were interested in plants and trained them so they could converse knowledgeably with the customers about arrangements. Hiring help freed up my time to handle the farm events.

I was handling the deliveries, but I wondered if it would soon be too much. I delivered locally two days a week. I loved being the one who arranged the flowers, wrote the notes, and delivered them with love. But I could see it growing with more requests from farther away. I needed to invest in a good shipping service.

“Enjoy this. It’s only the beginning.”

“You’re right.” It was important to celebrate each step along the way and be present for the little moments. Success wasn’t a having a degree or opening a medical practice; it was the experiences like this.

We ate, and I reveled in being present for once at a reception. Not standing on the outskirts, making sure everything was running smoothly, but just enjoying the moment. After dinner, Finn strummed his fingers over the strings of his guitar to warm up.

When we interviewed Finn, he said he taught music at a school, and played most instruments, but the guitar was his favorite.

“I love his music. He’s played at Max’s a few times,” Hailey said.

“We’re lucky he wanted to perform at weddings.” Most guitarists preferred to stick to the bar crowd in the hopes of getting noticed.

Hailey frowned. “He could do so much more.”

“My impression is that this is a side gig for him.”

Everyone clapped when he announced the first song would be for the bride and groom. Max stood, one hand on the lapel of his jacket, the other stretched out to Zoe.

She rested her hand in his and gracefully stood, letting him lead her to the dance floor. I recognized the first few notes of the slow but powerful song. Jake pulled me against him, making me forget that I was supposed to be working.

“Gia said to tell you to take the rest of the night off,” Jake murmured into my ear.

“She did not,” I said as I pulled back slightly to see his face.

His face was serious. “She did. She wants you to enjoy the rest of the evening.”

I wasn’t a hundred percent sure I believed him, but I wanted to get lost in the music and his arms, if only for a few minutes. He held me close as we danced for two songs. I reveled in the barn coming alive again.

With people talking, laughing, and dancing to the beautiful strains of the guitar and Finn’s mellow voice, I was content to take in the framed photographs of my family, the twinkling lights hanging from the rafters, and the smell of fresh flowers. It was perfect.

When the notes of the second song lingered, then died, Jake tugged me toward the door. “Let’s go for a walk.”

After a long day of working to make sure everything ran smoothly, I was more than ready to take a break. I’d worn wedge heels to navigate the grass during the day, so I could easily follow him.

Jake led me to the lit path we’d cleared around the pond to the new gazebo. Despite the occasional laughter and strains of guitar coming from the barn, it was quiet. It felt like we were the only two people in the world.

I wanted to create a place where people could hold their biggest events, but I never thought the property would completely transform into a romantic getaway. Gia wanted several pathways created and lit with short lanterns to lead the way. The idea was that couples were free to wander the grounds. It was romantic and intimate. Far more than I ever hoped it would be.

The water in the pond was lit by the moon. At the gazebo, we stepped inside. “We’re lucky no one else is here.”

Jake smiled. “Gia’s under strict instructions not to let anyone wander this way.”

I turned to face Jake, who’d taken both of my hands in his. “Why?”

The whole point was to allow the guests full use of the grounds. We wanted couples to feel free to break away from the festivities when they wanted a moment alone. It was the perfect opportunity for couples to have an intimate moment, maybe even—

My thoughts were interrupted when Jake went down on one knee. “What are you doing?”

It was then I realized the nerves on the lines of his face, the anxiety in the depths of his blue eyes. He was nervous. My heart pounded under my rib cage.

“Lily, I vowed never to get close to anyone, to never give anyone a chance to let me down or leave me again.”

My heart ached. “Jake—”

He gave me a stern look as he continued. “But I never planned on meeting you. You burst into my garage and my life, bringing so much light. You helped me to see that there’s more to life than rules and routines, habits, and structure. You made me see that there is a whole life to live if I just opened my eyes to it. The only problem is, I can’t live that beautiful life without you.”

I sighed as the words fell from my lips. “Oh Jake.” Tears welled in my eyes. “I don’t want to live without you either.”

“Then there’s only one thing that will save us,” Jake said, his expression serious.

“And what is that?” My lips twitched despite the seriousness of the situation.

“Marry me, Lily. Make me the happiest guy on earth.” Jake’s expression was earnest.

I tugged him to stand in front of me and rested my palms on his chest. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“Thank fuck,” he murmured as his lips pressed against mine. They were insistent and hard and a little bit desperate.

He kissed me for what felt like minutes before pulling back slightly. His expression held awe for me.

“You didn’t think I’d say no, did you?”

He caressed my cheek with the rough callouses on the pads of his fingers. “I didn’t want to assume anything.”

My heart clenched with emotion as I covered his wrist with my hand. No matter how much I reassured him that he was it for me, he needed this extra validation, the commitment that I wasn’t going anywhere. I knew his fear of abandonment wouldn’t just disappear overnight. I looked forward to proving my love to him each day. “I love you, Jake. I’m not going anywhere.”

I wanted to live in the farmhouse, watch couple after couple get married on the grounds, and live our own happily ever after.

“I love you, too. You surprise me more every day.”

I smiled despite the sting of tears in my eyes and the ache in my chest for the boy he was and the man he’d become.

He tipped his head toward the barn. “You think they’ll miss us at the party if we go home?”

I smiled. “Home. I like that you think of the farm as yours.”

He kissed me softly. “It’s our home and our life. We’re free to create any vision we’d like.”

“Mmm. I like the sound of that.”

“So, what do you say we consummate our engagement?”

I smiled. “I’m all for that. You sure Gia won’t miss us?”

“She told me to have you take the night off after you said yes.”

We walked hand in hand around the pond. He’d chosen to take us the long way around the pond, farther away from the festivities. “I can’t believe you planned this without me knowing.”

Since Max and Zoe’s wedding was the first on the property, every possible scenario was discussed and planned for. I didn’t know how I’d missed Jake planning this. At the same time, I was glad it was a surprise. It was sweet.

“It’s hard to believe this is all ours.” I hoped but never imagined I’d own this one day.

This part of the land hadn’t been landscaped or prepped, although we’d cleared the walking path so we could walk around the pond. An occasional lantern had been hung on a tree to light our way.

The weight of Jake’s love was a warm blanket around my heart. We’d live on this property, and in my grandparents’ farmhouse, creating our own memories.

He stopped and turned me to face him. “You’re more than I hoped for. I never thought this was for me. Love, life, and happiness.”

I swayed toward him as he tipped my chin at the right angle and kissed me. He pulled away, tugging me to the ground. Then he rolled us until I was on my back and he was hovering over me. “I can’t wait until we get back to the house.”

As I gazed at him, he stroked my cheek. He looked so much in love with me. It was overwhelming sometimes and completely incomprehensible, but it filled my heart with joy. “Me neither.”

He pressed his body against mine, his weight reassuring. We kissed as he shifted between my legs, pushing the skirt of my dress out of the way, his fingers finding my lace panties. He kissed my jaw, neck, and collarbone. I didn’t want to walk home. I had to have him here. Now.

“Please, Jake.”

“I don’t have a condom.” He pulled back slightly, his expression full of regret.

“It’s okay. We don’t need one.”

He kissed me again, harder this time. We didn’t need any other reassurances because we trusted each other. He was my future, and I was his. We made love under the light of the moon, with an occasional strum of the guitar drifting across the lake, setting our rhythm.

I imagined more nights like these, exploring our property and each other. I’d never get enough of him.