Epilogue

Brambling Cottage

All Hallows Eve

J uliet stared at the flames in the fireplace, happy that it would be her last night in her haunted haven for a while. Tomorrow, she would take on a common name like Orinda did almost a hundred years earlier– Mrs. Kingman.

"Are you warm enough?" Noah joined her on the settee, lifting the blanket to cover both of them.

She linked her fingers with his. "I am now. Do you think she'll come?"

"I think she will. I believe she wants to share in our happiness and perhaps gloat that she was right that we needed each other."

"Oh, I did need you. Even more than I knew. But you always knew."

"Not quite." He squeezed her hand. "Oh, I thought I knew, but it wasn't until your coach pulled up to the cottage and I saw you for the first time. Something inside me shifted."

"Are you sure that wasn't Orinda whispering in your ear?"

He chuckled. "I'm positive. I've never heard a sound from her. I've only felt her presence and accepted the dreams as from her."

She desperately wanted to thank her great-aunt for bringing Noah to her. "It must be getting close to—look!" She pointed as an apparition of Orinda floated toward them from the fireplace. Her heart pounded with love for the woman before her. "Aunt Orinda."

Noah stood, bringing her to her feet as well. "Thank you for coming."

She held his hand tight, afraid to move. "Thank you, Aunt, for bringing me here and telling me your story."

Orinda smiled and gave them a nod.

"We will continue to care for your home here." Noah's assurance seemed to please her.

Juliet couldn't resist and blurted out her excitement. "We're getting married tomorrow."

Orinda nodded again, giving them a knowing look.

Noah laughed. "Yes, we will get started on a family right away, just for you."

Her great-aunt winked. Then two hands appeared on her shoulders and a man's visage grew clear next to hers as he floated behind her. His hair appeared dark and pulled back in a queue. His lips lifted under a thick beard and his eyes crinkled as he smiled at them.

Orinda leaned her head back against Ambrose, then she looked at them and made a kiss in the air before fading into nothingness.

Juliet's heart filled with joy as a single tear tracked down her face.

"What is it, love?"

She smiled as she looped her arms around Noah's neck. "Just a tear of joy for all of us."

As his lips descended upon hers, laughter filled the cottage with warmth, love, and promises for the future… from the past.

The End?