A New Leaf (Hemlock #1)

Epilogue

Five years later.

Finn

Standing in the doorway of A New Leaf, I’m admiring the view of my wife with a cute frown on her face and our two-year-old son beaming up at her with unconditional love in his eyes.

Charlie’s eyebrows are pinched together as she clips away at the plant in front of her, handing our son Hayden the vines that they’ll propagate together later. Her long hair is pulled up, with a few stray pieces framing her face, and she’s wearing my favorite green overalls. Our son is dressed like me, complete with a blue sweater vest and messy light brown hair.

They’re the cutest duo this town has seen in decades.

And I’m not just saying that.

A few months ago, they were featured in the local newspaper, The Hemlocker , and won an award for ‘Town’s Cutest Duo.’

Charlie hated the recognition.

I loved it, obviously.

I keep the article proudly framed in my office, not only because it puts a smile on my face, but also because it never fails to elicit an eye roll from Charlie.

Just like she was on the night I met her five years ago, Charlie is still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

Also, still the grumpiest. But that’s ok, it’s a turn on.

Every morning, when I roll over in our bed and see her with disheveled hair and rumpled pajamas, my heart beats just as fast as it did the night when I first laid eyes on her all those years ago.

I walk up to the front counter, where Charlie is hard at work and Hayden is playfully kicking his legs, giggling. Below the counter, our cat, Skywalker, is cuddling with Vera and Frank.

Funnily enough, Skywalker adopted us the day after our wedding. Much like myself, the black cat kept roaming into Charlie’s store day after day. Eventually, he decided to stay forever.

Kind of like how I met Charlie.

Swiftly, I grab Charlie by the waist, pull her in close, and dip her back while I gently press my lips to hers.

A kiss in public.

She hates kissing in public, but I always try to sneak one in here and there because I can’t resist her.

Momentarily, she melts into the kiss before realizing she is indeed in public. Then she makes a noise in protest as I bring her upright.

“You could’ve dropped me!”

I tilt my head to the side. Still holding her by the waist, I look down into her deep brown eyes.

“Sweetheart, you should know by now that I’ll always catch you when you fall.” I pause. “Literally and figuratively, of course. But it’s a fair concern. You do have the balance of a newborn deer.” I wince.

Her eyes widen. She steps over to Hayden and covers his ears. “You’re the absolute worst,” she teases, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “You’re not wrong, though,” she admits.

Today, Hemlock is hosting another festival. This time, Hayden and I are in charge of charming the townspeople.

“Come on, little H. Let’s get out there and enchant the pants off of everyone. We’ll sell so much coffee with our matching sweater vests.”

He pouts, and his wavy, light brown hair wildly sways as he shakes his head in protest.

This little guy has been hanging around his mom too much, and it makes me laugh. He looks like me but acts like her, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Covering Hayden’s ears, I whisper to Charlie, “You should have no doubt in your mind that this is your child.”

She rolls her eyes at me. Again, it’s still a turn on after all these years. “My sister was legitimately almost switched at birth! Can you blame me for being paranoid?”

I tip my head back and forth, agreeing with her. That is her sibling’s favorite story to share at family dinners.

Lifting Hayden up into my arms, he giggles, enjoying being so high up. Another perk of being ridiculously tall.

As I walk back to the front of the store, I turn around to look at my wife once more before we head to the festival. I’ve never admired someone so much in my life. One day, I hope our son inherits her strength, courage, and resilience.

Charlie notices me staring. “What’s wrong?” Her eyebrows knit together in concern.

I smile warmly back at her. “Nothing. I just love you, my little weirdo.”

Her face breaks into a smile. “I love you too, Gumby.”