Epilogue

Epilogue

Jeanie’s apartment was filled to the brim with people – people and empty, moving boxes. Logan stood by the front door, collapsing the boxes one by one as they were emptied. He already had quite the satisfying stack beside him. And every box he added to the pile just reminded him further that this was real, and Jeanie was staying.

But even if she didn’t, he was still worthy as a person. Or so his new therapist liked to tell him. He was working on untangling his issues once a week with Dr. Stephens and Jeanie was adapting to her new life, but most importantly they were doing it side by side.

The unpacking party was Isabel’s idea. She’d recruited the book club, Annie, and Hazel to come and help Jeanie finally get settled in her new apartment. Noah had begged Logan to invite him, too, so the tiny apartment was now crammed with all of Jeanie’s new friends.

She beamed from the center of the room, instructing Noah on just where she wanted everything hung.

‘I think a little higher on the left,’ she said.

‘No, no. Now it’s crooked,’ Hazel protested, pointing to the higher side. ‘Lower that side again.’

Noah held the giant framed painting of a purple cow above his head and struggled to adjust it again. ‘How’s this?’

‘I don’t know. Now the right seems too high.’ Hazel stifled a giggle.

Jeanie put a hand on her hip and cocked her head to the side. ‘Maybe I don’t even want it on this wall at all.’

Noah lowered the painting with a groan. ‘You two make up your minds. I need a drink.’

Jeanie and Hazel collapsed into fits of giggles on the couch. ‘Sorry, Noah! You’re the best,’ Jeanie told him as he walked by to grab a beer from the kitchen. Logan followed him in, passing a very flustered Jacob, who was on his way to ask Jeanie why she owned so many chunky scarves.

Noah grabbed two beers from the fridge and passed one to Logan. A stack of pizza boxes sat on the counter. Payment for everyone’s help. It was the day before Thanksgiving and Jeanie said this was the feast before the feast. Tomorrow they would close the café and head out to New York to spend Thanksgiving weekend with Jeanie’s family. He was only a little nervous about meeting her parents and her brother, Ben, who’d decided at the last minute to fly in from California to celebrate. Jeanie said it was because he was dying to meet her sexy farmer. A comment that while always welcome from Jeanie’s lips, did nothing to settle his nerves.

‘I think she hates me,’ Noah said, not needing to specify who he meant.

‘Probably not.’ Logan took a swig of his beer, pushing aside thoughts of meeting Jeanie’s family for the moment.

‘I’m pretty sure she does,’ Noah said with a grim smile. ‘But I’m good at wearing people down.’

Logan laughed. ‘That is one of your special talents.’

Noah nodded and took another sip of beer to fortify himself against Hazel and Jeanie’s teasing. ‘Okay. I’m going back out there.’

‘Good luck, man.’

‘Thanks.’ Despite his concerns, Noah was clearly eating up the attention from Hazel. His face lit up as soon as he was back in the room with her. He was so screwed.

Logan shook his head, watching Noah take up his post at the wall again, while Hazel blatantly admired his ass. Yeah, she definitely didn’t hate him.

Logan leaned in the doorway of the kitchen watching everyone pitch in, and slowly but surely Jeanie’s apartment began to look like a home. He still secretly wanted her to come live with him in the big farmhouse someday, but he wasn’t going to rush her. For now, things were just right between them.

She looked over the back of the couch and found him smiling at her.

‘It’s looking good, right?’ she asked.

‘It is.’

‘Looks like I really live here.’

‘You are a real Dream Harbonian? Dream Harboran?’

‘A real Dreamer,’ Hazel corrected, and Logan rolled his eyes, but secretly he loved it. He loved this damn town and these damn nosy people, and he especially loved the woman peering over the back of the couch at him.

Jeanie hopped up and came around to stand beside him, tucking herself into him the way he loved.

‘Whatever it’s called, it’s a long way from having no one to help me out when I’m sick.’

‘True. Look at all these people that would totally come over and clean up your vomit.’

Jeanie laughed and buried her face in his side. ‘Don’t tell them that, though,’ she said in a stage whisper. ‘Or they won’t want to be my friend anymore.’

‘Don’t tell us what?’ Kaori asked, stepping into the living room from the bedroom. ‘That you’re a horrible slob. We already know and we still love you.’

‘Gee, thanks.’

Kaori grinned. ‘You’re welcome.’

Jeanie pulled away from his side and climbed back over the sofa, perching on top. She cleared her throat.

‘I just wanted to thank you guys for helping. For everything. Getting the café running smoothly again and for today. It means a lot to me.’

‘Of course, dear,’ Nancy patted her leg as she settled down on the couch next to Jeanie’s feet. ‘You’re one of us now, for better or worse.’

Jeanie smiled. ‘Definitely for better.’

Logan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned into him, and he couldn’t agree more.

Everything was better in Dream Harbor with Jeanie by his side.