Epilogue

Paige

I crank up the shop’s air conditioning.

“I am officially over Summer,” I announce to Lachlan and Rex.

Lachlan reaches around my waist and pulls me to him.

“Now now, fiancee, don’t shoo the Summer away just yet. I have a bride to marry in this Summer heat.”

“Oh really? Well, I suppose I can be a little more patient.”

Rex laughs at us and looks out the window.

“Oh wow, someone is finally moving into the cafe next door.”

Lachlan and I peer out the window with him and see a short, thin woman carrying boxes into the cafe.

“Rex, will you mind the store? Lachlan, let’s go help her.”

Outside, the Summer heat is oppressive unless an ocean breeze blows by. The woman is standing by her truck, chugging water.

“Hi there, welcome. I’m the owner next door,” I walk up to the woman, giving a friendly wave.

“Oh hi. Sorry, I’m a sweaty mess. Nice to meet you. I’m Dulce,”

Dulce shakes my hand.

“I’m Paige and this is my almost husband, Lachlan.”

“Why hello there, Almost Husband.”

“Howdy. I’m going to send my Almost Wife back into her air conditioned store but I would be happy to help you bring in some boxes. What are you going to do with the place?”

“It will be a bakery. I’ve worked in bakeries all my life but this will be the first one to call my own.”

I open my mouth to say something but hear a familiar voice calling from across the street.

“Look who it is, the happy bride and groom!”

Liora calls out from in front of the market and walks over to our side.

“Liora! This is my new neighbor. She’s opening a bakery next door. Dulce, please meet Liora, a budding bread maker.”

“Oh cool, I love baking bread.”

Dulce reaches out her hand to Liora. When Liora grasps it in return, her eyes go wide. She looks sharply at me.

“Paige, you have room for one more at your wedding on Saturday, correct?”

I look back at her, a little startled that she would invite a stranger to my wedding. But Liora’s eyes say it all.

“Of course! What a fantastic idea. Please, Dulce, join us on Saturday. It will be a great party and you can meet many folks from town.”

“Oh my goodness, that’s so friendly. Sure, that sounds like a lot of fun to be honest.”

Lachlan clears his throat.

“OK, Almost Wife, get back into the A/C. You know this heat wears you down.”

“Fine, Almost Husband, but as soon as you’re done helping Dulce then it’s time for you to finish writing your vows.”

“Gladly, I have a lot to say,” Lachlan kisses me and sends me back into the shop.