Epilogue

Evelyn lingered at the door of Harbor View Weddings while Mason Anderson and Lacy Martinez practically floated down the sidewalk to their car. As Evelyn knew she would, the bride-to-be stole a final peek at the converted Boat Works where, next June, her friends and family would watch her walk down the aisle and into the arms of the man she loved. The dreamy smile that played across the bride's lips sent a contented sigh sifting through Evelyn's chest. She waved goodbye to the couple, satisfied that in several months' time, she'd help them have the waterfront wedding of their dreams.

"Are you finished for the day?" Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, his tool belt hanging low across his hips, Ryan stepped into the lobby from the back hallway .

"Yes." She closed the heavy double door and locked it. Butterflies took flight in her midsection at the sight of Ryan's tall figure striding toward her across the polished wood floor. "I had appointments with six couples today. Four of them reserved their dates."

Ryan whistled softly. "That's pretty amazing."

Ever since the Weddings Today article ran—well, before that, to be perfectly honest—brides and grooms had flocked to the newest venue in Heart's Landing. Their names and wedding dates crowded the once-barren whiteboard in the office.

She nodded while she tugged a few pins from her hair. Loving the way Ryan's eyes lit up when the thick curls fell around her shoulders, she grinned. "How'd your day go?"

"Awesome," he said, his features softening. "I should finish with the vestibule at the church before the weekend." He'd been restoring the entryway after the rector discovered termite damage in the century-old building that overlooked Heart's Landing. "That'll free me up to help you with the Morgan/Simpson wedding on Saturday."

"Great!" At first, she'd questioned whether working side by side with the man she loved was the wisest move. But in the six months since she'd stepped into her new role as the event coordinator at Harbor View, she'd never been happier. She and Ryan quickly developed a routine that freed each of them to pursue their dreams. Throughout the week, while he spent most days working on various restoration projects throughout Heart's Landing and nearby towns, she found a greater satisfaction than she'd ever expected in managing the venue. Weekends, they worked together to fulfill the Heart's Landing promise of providing the perfect wedding to every couple who'd chosen to exchange their vows on the waterfront.

"Are you still up for going out tonight?" Ryan shot her a look filled with concern.

"Absolutely. I can't wait to find out what your big secret is." Ryan had planned a special evening, but despite her teasing, he'd refused to divulge a single detail. She gave his hand a playful tug and gave him her best pleading look. "Where did you say we were going?"

Ryan's eyebrows rose. A lazy grin spread across his face. "I'm wise to your ways. I'm not going to spill the beans. It's a surprise."

She faked a pout. "How am I supposed to know what to wear if you won't give me a hint?"

"Okay, okay." His gaze met hers, and her knees went weak. "Someplace nice, but that's all I'm telling you." He zipped his lips. "I'll pick you up at seven. "

She glanced at the time on her phone. Five o'clock. "I'd better get moving." She wanted to look her best for their date. Not that she cared where they went. A walk on the beach or the fanciest restaurant—either was fine, as long as they were together. Intending to gather her things and head home to the Cottage, she stepped toward the office. "I guess I'll see you then."

"Hold on a minute." Ryan slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her toward him. "We have time for one kiss, don't we?"

"Mmm." She tipped her head to his. "I thought you'd forgotten."

"Never."

After a kiss that left her yearning to spend more time in Ryan's arms, she grabbed her purse from the office and headed across town. With the holidays right around the corner, things were quiet at the Cottage. She stopped by Jason's office to say hello, but her cousin had already left for the day. Over breakfast this morning, he'd mentioned he and Tara would be performing as the Captain and his wife at an event that evening. Alicia and Jenny's offices were dark, as well. Evelyn smiled, glad that Alicia's transition into retirement was going well. She didn't expect any problems once Jenny took the reins in the New Year. Evelyn stopped in her office next. She still spent one day a week at the Cottage, tending to the books and accounts, and wanted to check her inbox. It was empty, other than a few receipts that could wait until next week. Satisfied, she dashed up the stairs to her suite.

A shiver passed through her. Between getting Harbor View off the ground and his booming restoration business, she and Ryan stayed busy. So busy that it'd been a while since they'd gone on a real date. She couldn't wait to have him all to herself for an entire evening.

In her room a half-hour later, she slipped into the new red dress she'd been saving for a special occasion and stepped into the tall boots she hadn't been able to resist during her last visit to The Glass Slipper. She didn't need much makeup—just a little powder and some lipstick—but she took extra care applying it. As a final touch, she retrieved the dangly dragonfly earrings from her jewelry box and slipped them on. The gossamer wings made her feel feminine and girly and, looking forward to seeing Ryan, she hummed a few bars of a love song.

She trailed her fingers along the banister on her way down the stairs. At the stroke of seven, she stepped into the entryway just in time to see Tom Denton pull a horse-drawn carriage to a stop under the porte cochere .

She pressed one hand to her heart. "Oh, I didn't expect this!" she said when Ryan, so handsome in a suit coat and tie, stepped lightly from the carriage steps.

His cheeks reddened slightly. "I overheard you recommending Your Ride Awaits to the Peterson bride. It sounded like the perfect way to celebrate our six-month anniversary."

She sighed. He'd remembered their special day. That was something else she loved about him—Ryan was the most romantic man she'd ever met. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his cheek. "I've wanted to do this forever."

His hand at her side felt warm and secure as he helped her up the single step and onto the plush cushions. Joining her, he tucked a warm blanket over their knees in deference to the crisp November air. Once they were settled, Tom clucked to the horses, and they headed down the long, curving driveway.

With Ryan's arm around her shoulders, she leaned into him. "This is a wonderful surprise," she murmured. "Thank you."

Ryan stole a quick glance at the gleaming carriage.

"I can't believe we've waited so long to do this."

They rode in silence, listening to the steady clop-clop of the horses' shoes against the pavement while metal jangled. The carriage swayed. Overhead, stars twinkled in the clear sky.

Tom led the team onto Bridal Carriage Way. As they passed Forget Me Knot, Ryan pointed out the colorful red poinsettias surrounding a mannequin dressed in white. The darkened windows of I Do Cakes came next, and they both laughed when their tummies rumbled. A tiny spotlight shone down on a display of heirloom jewelry in the window of Something Old, Something New, but Evelyn focused on the carved stone heart that hung over the door. She blew a kiss to the symbol of her great-great-great-grandfather's love for his wife and squeezed Ryan's hand. Her love for him grew deeper every day, and she hoped one day they'd build a future together. The mouthwatering smells of basil and garlic permeated the night air around Bow Tie Pasta. She half expected their ride to end there. But they continued on past Statue Park, which still looked oddly vacant without The Ash.

Her brow furrowed when Tom steered them onto Champagne Avenue. In the distance, lights gleamed. She canted her head. "Is something going on at Harbor View tonight?" He hadn't scheduled an event at the venue without telling her, had he ?

Ryan snugged her closer. "I must've forgotten to turn out the lights when I closed up. Let's swing by. It'll only take a minute." Moments later, Tom reined the team of high-stepping horses to a halt in front of the building. "Come with me," Ryan said, extending a hand to help her down from the carriage.

Unwilling to spend even a little bit of their date apart, she gladly complied. But instead of heading directly for the front door, Ryan detoured to a spot not far from the entrance. There, protected by stacked stone fencing, a small tree stood in the center of a circle. Ryan squeezed her hand. "The baby Ash is doing well."

She nodded. More than a dozen saplings had been planted throughout Heart's Landing. One day, the trees would tower over the town.

Ryan cleared his throat. "You know, lately I've been thinking a lot about The Ash … and us. That tree was around forever. Kind of like we were always fixtures in each other's lives. For a while there, we drifted apart, and I thought our friendship had died like The Ash did earlier this year. I'm so glad helping Brianna and Daniel brought us back together again."

"Me, too," she whispered. Her heart fluttered. "I can't imagine my life without you in it."

"Same here." Ryan brushed a kiss through her hair. "You make me want to be a better man, a better person. I love you more than I ever thought possible."

"I feel the same way," she assured him.

His eyes met hers then, and she gazed into their deep blue pools. In them, she saw the depth of his love. She kept her eyes locked on his as he went down on one knee.

"Evelyn Heart," he said. "My love for you is as strong and steady as The Ash in its glory. I want to spend every waking minute looking into your eyes, hearing your voice, standing beside you. If you'll have me. Will you marry me?"

Words failed her. But then, Ryan often had that effect on her. She answered him the only way she could—with a kiss. Pulling him to his feet, she moved into his arms.

At last, both breathless, they pulled apart. Her heart thudded again when Ryan tugged a small black box from his coat pocket. He opened it to reveal a diamond solitaire that sparkled brighter than the prettiest star in the sky. His hands trembling slightly, Ryan plucked the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. "So is that a yes?"

"Yes." Laughter spilled from her lips. "A thousand times yes." She leaned in for another of Ryan's amazing kisses .

They stood, cradled in each other's arms until, finally, one of Tom Denton's horses stomped its feet. Ryan slipped his hand around her waist. He smiled down at her with a smile she knew she'd never grow tired of. "I guess we'd better shut off those lights. We can't expect poor Tom or his horses to stay out here all night."

"You're right," she agreed. She glanced toward the carriage. As she did, she noticed the cars that filled all the parking spaces in front of Harbor View. "Ryan?"

"C'mon. Let's go inside for a minute."

She shrugged aside her concerns when he slipped one arm about her waist. Together, they covered the short distance to the main entrance. The instant Ryan opened the doors to the lobby, shouts rang out.

"Congratulations! We're so happy for you!"

Jason and Tara, dressed in period garb, surged forward offering good wishes. What looked like half the population of Heart's Landing trailed in their wake. In seconds, Evelyn was enveloped in hugs and promises that hers would be the best wedding Heart's Landing had ever seen. At her side, other people shook Ryan's hand and patted his back. She glimpsed the absolute happiness that danced in his blue eyes, and her heart melted .

"This," she whispered. This was what she'd always wanted. To stand beside the man of her dreams, surrounded by the people she loved. One day, in the not-so-distant future, she'd look out over the sea of these faces—friends, family and relatives—people who'd gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new journey. When that day arrived, she'd only have eyes for one person. Ryan, her very own Heart's Landing love for the ages. On that day, she'd say "I do" in a waterfront wedding of her very own.

Champagne bottles popped. Someone pressed a glass into her hand. She and Ryan clinked their glasses together while all around them, friends and neighbors raised their voices, offering up the words that had echoed through the ages in Heart's Landing.

"The best is yet to be."

Truer words had never been spoken. Her heart overflowed with love as she gazed at Ryan and dreamed of their future in the town devoted to delivering the perfect wedding for every bride.

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