Epilogue

VIOLET

Sanibel Island

M y parents had moved from Naples to Sanibel Island, Florida, after they retired. This wasn't my childhood home. I didn't have many memories tied up in this house. But I couldn't shake the nerves.

My parents hadn't made the trip to see the party at Sweet Scoops. I'd forwarded them the link to the news article, and they'd responded with their usual lack of enthusiasm. "How nice. When are you coming home?"

I shouldn't have any expectations of them. My sister tended to occupy most of their attention. I wasn't here to prove anything to my parents, but it was a hard feeling to shake after having done it for so long.

This was a minivacation, a respite from the winter weather in Maryland before the final rush at the Christmas tree farm for the holiday. Except I was introducing them to my fiancé for the first time, and I was nervous.

What would they say to him? I was more worried they'd be critical of me in front of him. I didn't want Ryder to see how they treated me. It was embarrassing, especially since I chased their approval for so long. Then there was the other alternative: that they'd rave about Danielle and her amazing career.

I'd explained everything to Ryder so he wouldn't be blindsided. But I was still worried.

When we pulled up to the house on stilts with the plants separating it from the ocean, Ryder let out a low whistle. "This is nice."

"They're enjoying their retirement," I said with a slight tremor to my voice.

His gaze was fixed on the house as he parked next to my parents' other new purchase, a Jeep Wrangler. "I can see that."

I wanted to spend some time on the beach and visit with my best friend, Luna. She'd recently visited me in Maryland, then said she had to get away. I think she didn't want to be present for my reunion with Ryder. I assumed she'd come home, but she hadn't said.

Lights were strung on the deck that wrapped around the house. A wreath hung on the front door.

"Are you ready to do this?" Ryder asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I said as we got out, and he grabbed our luggage from the back. "Maybe we should stay in a hotel instead?"

"We can do whatever you want. But I'm just not sure we can find a place at the last minute."

I sighed, remembering the island was mainly for tourists who'd booked their vacations a year in advance. "You're right."

He held his hand out to me, and I gratefully took it. When we made our way up the stairs, we knocked on the front door.

I heard footsteps on the deck. Mom appeared with Dad. "You're here! We're so excited you're finally home."

Technically, I'd been gone for a couple of years. I'd visited a few times so it wasn't like we hadn't seen each other. But my parents preferred it when I lived in Florida where they could keep tabs on me.

Mom hugged me, then pulled back. "It's so good to have you home."

I bit back a retort. My home was in Maryland.

"Mom, this is Ryder Calloway, my fiancé." It felt good to say those words together.

"Theresa Pendleton. It's so nice to meet you, Ryder."

"Nice to meet you too, ma'am."

"We're sitting on the back deck enjoying the view." Mom turned, and we exchanged a look before we followed her.

As we turned the corner of the house, the wind picked up. There was a long table with chairs on one side, and a couch with cushioned chairs on the other.

Dad stood as we approached. Ryder held his hand out to him, and they shook, exchanging names and pleasantries.

There was a plate of fruit, cheese, veggies, and meats on the table.

Mom poured us iced tea. Then we sat, admiring the view.

Ryder inclined his head toward the beach. "This is a nice place to retire."

"What do you do, Ryder?" Mom pursed her lips because I hadn't told her.

"I work for the government." Ryder told them he didn't explain his job to everyone. It prompted a lot of questions that he couldn't answer.

"Violet said you have a daughter," Mom continued.

"She's staying with her mother this week. We share custody."

Mom nodded, clearly not knowing what to say about that. I was positive she didn't like that I'd chosen a single dad. She probably thought his attention was diverted to Faith, which it was, but he always made time to make me feel important too.

I was part of his family now, and it was the best feeling in the world.

"Well, I hope you consider getting married here in Florida. It's the perfect location." Dad gestured out over the water.

Ryder reached over and touched my hand. "We'll think about it. It would be an amazing location."

I thought he'd want to get married on his family's Christmas tree farm. "A beach wedding would be nice. We could be barefoot on the sand."

Ryder squeezed my hand. "Faith would love it."

She'd wanted to join us but it was a good opportunity for her to spend time with her mother.

I wanted Ryder to meet my parents before we included Faith.

"We hope to meet her soon," Mom said, surprising me.

"I wanted to visit Luna while I'm here, but she hasn't been answering my messages," I said to Mom, knowing she talked to Luna's grandmother.

Mom's brow furrowed. "Renee said she hasn't been back since her trip to see you."

"Luna said she had to get away, but I assumed she'd be back in Florida by now." I frowned, wondering what she was doing. Had she come home to confide in me, and I'd been too busy with Ryder? The weekend she came home, Ryder proposed. Had she felt like she couldn't talk to me, that I wouldn't understand? When I got home, I'd need to get in touch with her and make sure she was okay.

We chitchatted for a couple of hours over the afternoon. Then Mom and Dad went inside to take a nap. We decided to walk on the beach.

"I'm glad we came. I missed the beach." The wind whipped my hair in front of my face, and the sand stung my cheeks.

"You don't regret moving to Maryland?"

"Not at all. It's the perfect location for my shop, and I adore all the people I've met."

He drew me close. "Does that include me?"

"You're the very best person of all." I smiled up at him.

His expression turned serious. "Have you thought about where you want to get married?"

"I figured you'd want some time to be engaged, not to rush into anything." Especially since his divorce had only been final for a few days when he'd proposed to me.

"I'd love to get married here in the winter before it gets hot."

"Not in the fall? Or even next year?" I asked, cognizant that I wasn't his first fiancé. If he needed more time, I'd give it to him.

"I want to get married as soon as possible. I want to live with you and Faith. I want us to be a family."

We'd decided to wait to live together until we were married to make it easier on Faith, but I was there most nights. It was a matter of formality at this point. The best part was that he lived even closer to Grandpa.

"I want to get married right here on this beach. Do you think your family will travel for it?"

"I think they would. It's an excuse for a vacation. I can't remember the last time we went anywhere together as a family."

"I love that idea then. I thought you'd want to get married at the farm."

Ryder played with the end of my hair. "This feels like you. A little wild and carefree."

"You think I'm wild and carefree?"

"You do whatever you feel is right, not constrained by anyone."

"I love that you see me that way. It didn't feel like that for a long time."

"It's who you are under everything." Ryder touched my chest over my heart and tipped his head as if he was listening to the thump of my heart.

"Then it's settled. We'll get married here and invite your family."

For once, I'd done what I felt was right, and it had worked out for me in the form of Ryder and his daughter. I had a whole other family that I could call my own, and maybe even mend some bridges with mine.

I felt content that I'd followed my heart, and it hadn't steered me wrong.