Epilogue Sara

Four years later….

I look out at the audience of people. My heart thuds, my stomach churns like I'm about to throw up.

"That's a lot of people . . . ."

"Of course it is, Sara! Lots of people have seen the good work you've done, dear."

I listen to May's words of encouragement. Even though she's traded the cane she used for a walker, she's still as spry as ever, and I'm so grateful.

"Thanks, May."

"Of course! And I see your number one in the front row."

She points to the man sitting front and center. Our eyes meet briefly, and he smiles before looking down at his phone again.

Robert. He has been my rock these last four years.

"You've got this," May encourages. I turn to her, nodding.

"You're right. Still, it feels surreal, being here."

"It is. Remember when you first asked if you could work at my sanctuary?"

I chuckle. "Yeah, and you told me that I was crazy."

"I thought you were, but I realize that you actually are crazy. Crazy compassionate."

I laugh. In a way, she's right. Robert and I have made strides to build a sanctuary to call my own on adjacent land May deeded to me. We eventually merged mine with May's, creating a major animal sanctuary. May hired more staff while I was in school.

Now that I've graduated, I can finally work on making this place even better, and May can get the rest she deserves . . . just not too far away. I think she plans to stay in that sweet little house in the woods now that Robert has had it totally renovated for her. So, I expect to see her working with some of the animals pretty frequently. And of course, her trusty blind dog, Ramby, who is still hanging on.

The crowd cheers, and I snap back to the now. Applause fills the crowd. May pats me on the forearm and gestures me out there.

"Go for it."

I smile, heading outside toward the microphone. I grab it, feeling the nerves return with a vengeance. Even though May was all supportive backstage, the realization settles in the second I see all the eyes on me.

I know I shouldn't be nervous, but I am. Maybe it's my personal qualms, but I am hesitant about being here in front of so many people. Still, I need to face this.

"Hello, and thank you all for coming! This new and improved animal sanctuary is a product of the fruits of all of our labor. Without your support and help, we wouldn't have been able to save the animals we have, but there are so many, many more that need help. I'm so thankful and excited to have built a place to call my own and to take ownership of May's incredible sanctuary as well! "

The crowd cheers. I look down, seeing Bianca and Katie also near the front. Katie's holding some guy's hand. She finally got a boyfriend after all this time.

We stay in touch, but they moved in together after Katie got her man. It wasn't a problem, as I could move into a dorm at school. Bianca also had a guy with her, and I saw a ring on her hand.

And I'm so pleased to see my mother there, sitting next to Robert. What a turnaround. I am so grateful to her for being here. She catches my eye and gives me the big thumbs-up sign. Amazingly, Robert's parents have flown in for the event as well. I could not be more shocked or more pleased, and I give them a huge grin, making both of them smile in return.

"I'm really excited to see what we can do with our merged sanctuaries. This place has meant the world to me for so long. It's a place that I call home more than anywhere else. If it weren't for May, I wouldn't have ever had this opportunity."

I gesture to backstage. May peaks around the curtain and waves, and the crowd whistles. As they settle, I continue.

"You may notice a few critters are sharing the stage tonight. Meet Clover, my amazing super senior horse, and Ginger, our toothless goat. Tootsie here, the gorgeous and fat (Sorry, Tootsie, maybe it's the wool.) black sheep is our newest rescue coming in only yesterday to live out a good life. Her parents are too elderly to care for her anymore but plan to visit her often.

And rounding out our miniature menagerie here on stage is Claude. He is a beautiful African grey parrot who tips the calendar at just over sixty-six years old. I hope you are enjoying their antics and can see why we do what we do every day. This little crowd will be near the stage for you to meet, greet, and pet after the closing ceremony."

"While our friends are taken backstage, let me continue." Hearing some hoof stomping, I realize that Clover is not having it. She wants to stay with me, so I excuse myself for a moment to take her off stage and give her an apple that I grabbed from the shelf of goodies on my way by. Crisis averted!

Returning, I thank the crowd for their patience. Whistles, laughs, and cheers follow. I look down at Robert, who nods approvingly.

"I know that this place has gone through some crazy changes in the last four years, but I promise that it is for the best. We've made some amazing strides in building places for more animals. So far, this year we've saved over two hundred more animals, and next year, we want to double it! And should anyone have acreage and need a few gophers, please see me after this speech. I have Mort and Milly in need of some land to dig up."

And I continue on a more serious note. "We couldn't have saved this place without a particular someone's aid. Robert, please join me."

The crowd claps, and applause continues. Robert comes on stage, looking down as he moves up the steps and over to where I am. He smiles at the crowd and grabs my hand.

After I introduce him, I continue: "Without this man, I wouldn't be half the person that I am today. First, he helped with all these wonderful improvements you see. And he encouraged me to succeed these last four years. He helped me finish school, and since then, I've been inspired by his constant emotional support. Now, I'm ready to take this place to the moon! And with YOUR support, it's possible, so thank you! Thank you all!"

I finish the speech, and as the crowd claps, I leave the stage. May takes the stage, giving another short speech before the ribbon-cutting ceremony continues.

I join her for the re-dedication of the Harrington-Burton Animal Sanctuary. Then we turn our attention to the new adjoining sanctuary. I unveil the name of the newly added Clover World Animal Sanctuary that is dedicated to my Granny Ruth. Robert pops the cork on champagne and we toast to the future success of them both, the entire crowd joining us.

After we finish with the ceremony, Katie and Bianca rush over. Katie grins, seeing Robert and me together. "So, there he is! Your man!"

"Yep," I say, feeling confident as I utter this. "He's truly wonderful."

"I know! Oh my gosh, it's like a whole romance novel come to life."

"Look at yourself," I point out. The blonde-haired guy next to her waves. "You've got your own Romeo."

"I sure do," Katie replies, looking lovingly at the blonde. "Claude has been here with me for who knows how long. I feel like, without him, I wouldn't even have the level of success I have today."

"I know," I say, smiling. "I'm proud of you. You made your dreams come true, and that's what matters."

"Sure did. And we can continue!"

"That's the plan!"

I mingle with other people, many of whom congratulate me on the grand opening. Robert follows, holding my hand as I gush with others about taking care of animals. I see an actual line of people of all ages at the volunteer sign-up desk as we pass, which excites me tremendously.

"I'm really excited. We have a whole new place for horses, especially former show horses that owners have abandoned. They get to run around and have an amazing life!" I explain to a couple who have been great supporters, both financially and as volunteers.

"We're really excited to see what you continue to do here," another man in the crowd yells.

"I'm excited to show others too!" I holler back, cracking a huge smile.

The person walks away with a grin, joining the rest of the crowd. I sigh, rubbing my forehead.

"Being the center of attention is exhausting sometimes," I quip to Robert.

"You built this place. People love what you've done so far."

"Yeah, I just have to remember it's all for the animals."

I look out at the crowd. Some are donors who plan to give the sanctuary more money. Others are people who want to volunteer their support. It's all overwhelming, but I can't complain. Without these people, I don't know if we'd have even half the amount of success that we do.

"Say, Sara, can I bring you out back?" Robert asks suddenly.

"You mean by the stables?"

"Yes, let's go pat down Clover after her star performance."

"Sure. I need a break from them anyway," I remark, quirking my head to the mobs.

We take the dirt path to the back. When we get in the stables, Robert stops.

"Something the matter?"

"No, this is perfect."

"For what?"

He turns, reaching for something in his pocket. He pulls it out but keeps his hand closed.

"Robert, what's going on?"

"There's something I have wanted to ask you for a bit. Years, in fact, but I wanted to wait until you reached your dream."

He moves down, getting on one knee while still holding my hand. He looks away for a second before turning, opening his hand to reveal a ring box.

"Sara, you've inspired me in ways you probably don't even realize. In fact, you're both the love of and the light in my life. Which is why I want to ask you right now the question that's been sitting at the forefront of my mind."

"You mean . . . ."

"Yes, Sara. I love you so much. Will you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?"

I look at the ring and then at Robert. The smile he was wearing earlier is gone, replaced with the serious expression of expectation.

This is huge for him. This is a different world after all he's gone through and the pain that transpired.

"You're sure about this, right?" I question, for whatever reason, I don't know.

"I've never been surer of anything in my life, Sara. Will you marry me? Spend the rest of my days with me, and just let me be the best husband ever?"

I smile, knowing the answer to that.

"You already are, Robert, and, yes, I will marry you."

He places the ring on my hand. It's beautiful with diamonds encrusted on the band, and a slightly larger diamond sitting in the centerpiece. It's simple and elegant.

"I figured I'd go with something a little less flashy since you work with animals. Don't want it getting caught on stuff."

"It's perfect. I love it!"

I embrace him, holding him tightly. He hugs me back, and we stay like this. I don't want to let him go. He's the one, the man for me, and I've known that for many years.

To think I met him while working at some small café. Now, I'm his fiancée. Robert looks down, and he smiles radiantly, from ear to ear.

"You make me smile, Sara. I'm excited about what the future holds. We've got a lot of great things going on."

"We sure do," I remark. "I can't wait to see what adventures await."

"I can't wait either. Telling Mom and Dad's going to be fun," he says with a grin.

I chuckle. "Robert, they'll just have to deal. This is what you and I want."

"Of course, they will because I love you and never want to let you go."

Our lips meet, and we share a passionate kiss in the stables. It's the beginning of our new life together. A future made for both of us and one that neither of us will walk away from.

It may be my imagination, but I think I hear Clover and Orchid whinnying in their now-shared stall.

Yes, a life of love for us all.

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