Chapter 38
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
NOAH
A week later, I find myself at the Everton mansion for Christmas, amazed at how much my life has changed in such a short time.
I’m no longer a sheriff’s deputy.
I’ve been arrested and then exonerated for a crime I didn’t commit.
And for the first time in years, I’m in a relationship.
We gather in the sunroom, an enormous tree decked out in lights and ornaments glinting in the window, overlooking the huge lawn that leads down to the bay, currently blanketed in a crisp white layer of snow. Presents spill out from beneath its piney branches. Pop is here, as well as Isla’s parents and her sister Grace. Charlotte texted to say she and Jake and Joni will be stopping by. Russell Everton stands off in one corner, surveying his family almost as if he’s unable to wrap his head around the fact that it’s grown to include so many people.
Von is laughing about something with Isla as Alistair teases Finn about a date his campaign manager set him up on. Finn blushes so hard even his neck turns red. Daisy rolls her eyes and gives Al a good-natured elbow to the ribs. Caden sidles up next to me.
“Merry Christmas,” he says.
After his initial shock wore off—and once we told him the whole story of how Von and I fell in love—Caden has become more and more enthusiastic about Von being my girlfriend. He says it makes me even more part of the family.
And the Evertons are about to get a new official member. They just don’t know it yet.
“You look nervous,” I tell him.
“I’m fine,” he says, tugging at his collar.
I chuckle and shake my head. “She’s gonna say yes.”
“Don’t jinx it.”
“You didn’t think she was going to agree to a date with you, and what did I say?”
Caden grimaces. “You said she’d say yes.”
“I said she’d say yes.”
“This is a bit of a bigger ask, though. You sure I’m not rushing things?”
“Do you feel like you’re rushing things?” I ask him.
Caden glowers at me. “I hate when you turn my questions against me.”
I smile sweetly. “I know. That’s what makes me a good investigator. Speaking of,” I say, as members of the staff come in with trays of champagne for a toast. “Von has a little announcement to make, if you don’t mind holding off for just one sec.”
Caden’s head snaps toward me. “She’s not pregnant, is she?”
“What? No!” I yelp. “Definitely not. We are not there yet.”
The papers were a feeding frenzy for the few days after my trial ended and me and Von’s very public kiss. Everly Harris was equal parts disgruntled she didn’t get the scoop and glad she got a couple days of juicy headlines. But if she was hoping to turn public sentiment against us, she was wrong—it turns out, the people of Magnolia Bay are thrilled with my and Von’s relationship. The billionaire’s daughter and the hometown (former) cop. It’s a storybook romance. The locals are feeling very proprietary over us, which is quite endearing. We’ve been offered free meals at Osteria Fortuna, congratulatory bouquets from Joni at Magnolia’s Petals, gift baskets from Dev at the Grater Good, and an outpouring of advice from Mrs. Greerson.
Everly Harris has gone back to writing about the minutes of the city council meetings.
Caden and I both take flutes of champagne as Von taps on her glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Scuse me,” I say to my best friend as I come to join her at her side. I’m so damn proud of her, and excited for this next chapter—for both of us. I can’t wait for her to share this news with her family.
“I have a little announcement to make,” she says, glancing at me. “As many of you know, I have parted ways with Phillips, Brace, and Horowitz.”
She got fired as soon as the kiss made news. She told me she was planning to quit anyway.
“Did you get a job at another firm?” Caden asks.
“No,” Von says, standing straighter. She’s wearing a dark green jumpsuit and gold heels, her hair cascading down her back, her cheeks alight with a rosy glow. “I’m starting a nonprofit right here in Magnolia Bay. I want to help those who can’t afford decent legal representation—especially women who are in unsafe domestic situations or are victims of stalking. I’m calling it Marion’s Justice.” Her cheeks turn even pinker as the room erupts in applause.
“Von, that’s wonderful!” Isla gushes.
“This is the coolest!” Daisy squeals. “How can I help?”
Von laughs. “I don’t know yet. I’m hoping to get it up and running in the next few months. I’ve actually got a line on an office space in the center of town. But the one thing I really needed before opening is an investigator.” She turns to me, and the look of pride that shines out from her face fills me with warmth. “Luckily, I happen to know a guy with pretty sharp investigative skills, who is currently seeking new employment.”
“Wow,” Alistair says.
“Amazing!” Daisy cries.
I catch a glimpse of Russell Everton’s face through the crowd as everyone comes to congratulate us. He gives me a nod and I return it.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Pop says, smiling as he comes to congratulate me.
“Von swore me to secrecy until she could make the announcement,” I say.
“Congratulations,” Finn says, shaking my hand in his usual pompous manner. “Looks like you’re really part of the family now.”
“Thanks, Finn,” I say, then glance at Caden. It’s the perfect opening.
Caden clears his throat. “Speaking of the family…” he says. He turns to Isla and then lowers himself to one knee. There is a collective gasp from the women in the room.
“Oh my god,” Daisy murmurs. Isla’s mom is openly crying.
“Did you know about this?” Von whispers in my ear.
I mime zipping my lips.
“I love you, Isla,” Caden says. “More than anything in this world. I’m no good with words or standing on ceremony but…I don’t want to wait another second to start sharing the rest of my life with you.” He takes a deep breath. “Will you marry me?”
Isla has her hands clapped over her mouth, her eyes shining with tears. Caden holds out a velvet ring box and opens it to reveal a beautiful ring with a shimmering, opalescent pearl in its center, surrounded by a tiny ring of diamonds.
“Yes!” she cries. “Oh yes, Caden, yes! ”
He slips the ring onto her shaking hand, and they kiss as we all cheer.
“Is that Mom’s engagement ring?” Alistair asks.
Caden nods. “Dad gave me permission.”
“Oh, Caden,” Isla says, tears spilling down her cheeks as she looks tenderly at Marion’s ring.
Alistair whistles. “Things are really changing around here.”
“Maybe you’re next, Al,” Caden jokes.
“Ha,” Alistair says. “No thanks. I’m perfectly happy living the life of a bachelor.”
I look at Von, and we twine our hands together.
Things really are changing.
For the better.
And I can’t wait to see what this new chapter of my life brings, with the woman I love by my side.