Epilogue
The Harper Landing Sons of Norway Lodge shone brightly with hundreds of twinkling tea lights, which were battery operated, of course, since the building was over a hundred years old. Small bouquets of red and white roses with bright-blue cornflowers decorated each table, and a huge banner with Valentinsdag written in glittery letters hung from the stage. To Warren, the Valentine’s Day banner looked like it might be twenty years old because half the glitter had dusted off.
The lodge definitely needed new members. It was no wonder they were thrilled to have him and Dawn join. There had been a little grumbling at Dawn’s suggestion to change the name to The Harper Landing Sons and Daughters of Norway Lodge, but a committee was dealing with that, and they expected to have resolution soon. Besides, it was hard to argue with a family that worked so hard to learn Norwegian. Well, everyone but Sierra, that was, but she more than made up for it with her sailing skills.
“These cinnamon rolls are so good, they’re almost as delicious as the ones at the Nuthatch Bakery,” Sierra said, licking sugar off her fingertips.
“I agree.” Dawn nodded. “They’re amazing.” She had on a vintage sweater from the 1970s that was the same turquoise as her eyes. Big dangling earrings and white leggings with fluffy boots completed the look.
“I think they’re called skillings-something,” said Mikaela. “What are they called again, Dad? Grandma told me, but I don’t remember.”
“ Skillingsboller, ” said Warren. “And these are good, but the ones you and Grandma made were better.”
Mikaela smiled, her cheeks as rosy as the Norwegian flag poking out of the floral arrangement. She’d grown a lot in sixth grade, not only in height but in maturity. It made Warren sad that the days of her playing with Trent and Ash in the sandbox were gone, but he was impressed by her patience when she assisted them with their kindergarten homework. Her friendship with Sierra had helped improve her spirits a lot, as had joining the halling dance troupe at the lodge on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It was another complication to their already logistically challenging calendar but totally worth it.
The biggest change, however, had come from the extra time Mikaela spent with her mom. She saw Raquelle twice a month now, instead of once. Being able to text on the phone had made things easier between them, and Warren was grateful that their relationship had improved. His own communications with his ex-wife had gotten better too. He made an effort to text Raquelle pictures of Mikaela a couple of times each week so that she could feel connected. It was a simple kindness that had made a big difference.
“I can’t wait to see your halling performance,” said Sierra.
“Be careful not to spill lutefisk on your costume.” Dawn handed Warren a napkin. “That vest I made is dry clean only.”
“The embroidery on mine is really pretty, Dawn. Thank you.” Mikaela wiped a crumb off her front.
“My pleasure.” Dawn sipped her beer. “I just wish I could have talked Sierra into joining you.”
“ Mom .” Sierra rolled her eyes. “We’ve been over this before.”
“You’re right.” Dawn pinched her daughter’s cheek. “Besides, with your Eco Action Club at school and your sailing lessons at the yacht club, I’m not sure when you’d have time for anything extra.”
Middle school had meant growth for Sierra too. She’d been elected the sixth-grade representative to student council and formed a club to help process lunch waste in the cafeteria. Since Warren had taught her about the virtues of compost, she’d become obsessed with it. Together, they’d built a compost bin for Dawn’s backyard, as well as worm bins for school. The worm bins were less smelly, and as long as students followed the rules and didn’t put animal byproducts or citrus peels in the container, they did a good job of keeping food waste out of the landfill.
“Dang,” Warren said, using the napkin to wipe sweat off his forehead. “Now that it’s almost time for the performance, I’m getting nervous.”
“Don’t worry, Dad.” Mikaela patted his arm. “I’ll be right there with you.”
“You’ll do great.” Dawn smiled. “I know it.”
Their confidence in him made Warren believe he could accomplish anything, whether it was his new job as battalion chief or coaching Trent and Ash’s Little League team. His schedule was chaotic, but he still managed to invite Dawn and Sierra over for a home-cooked meal three times a week.
When Dawn invited Warren and Mikaela over, she usually served takeout, but Warren didn’t mind. He understood how busy she was. Now that the Forgotten Hug was earning a strong profit, she’d been able to afford an assistant. A possible run for city council was on her horizon too. Warren wasn’t sure when, but he knew it was coming.
His gaze drifted over her, and he couldn’t believe his luck. Sure, his work life was still intense, and his childcare and volunteer commitments were as busy as ever. But he had a woman to share his life with now, someone who actively strove to make his situation better because she loved him and wanted to support him in any way possible. They didn’t have much alone time together, which was a problem Warren wished to correct, but even when they had both girls with them, that still felt right. The girls would work on homework together while Warren got dinner on the table and Dawn put her feet up and told him about her day. It felt cozy and homey when the four of them were together. Warren wanted that feeling to last forever.
“And now,” said Erik Erickson, who wore a moth-eaten sweater that made Dawn cringe every time she looked at it, “the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Harper Landing’s very own halling troupe!”
A round of applause broke out as a traditional Norwegian folk song filled the room.
“Well”—Warren tossed down his napkin—“that’s our cue.”
Dawn grinned. “Break a leg!”
Mikaela hopped out of her seat and grabbed Warren’s hand. “Are you ready?” she asked with a wink.
“I’m ready if you are.” Warren led her onto the floor and into the arrangement of couples, all of whom were senior citizens.
The playlist switched over to a new song, and the dancing began. Warren, Mikaela, and the other dancers weaved in and out of patterns that reminded Warren of his youth. Mikaela’s costume was the most beautiful of all. The effort Dawn had spent adding gold embroidery floss on top of the flowers really paid off. The material picked up the light and enhanced the golden color of her hair.
When the song ended, the halling troupe stepped back, forming a wide circle and basking in the audience’s applause. Dawn jumped to her feet, clapping with all her might, and Sierra joined her.
Erik came forward, holding the mic. “Guess what? We have one more surprise for you this evening. The Sons of Norway Lodge would?—”
“Ahem?” An older lady sitting in the front row interrupted him. “Would you like to try that again, Erik?”
“Sorry.” He stroked his gray beard. “What I meant to say was that the Harper Landing Sons and Daughters of Norway Lodge would like to call two of our newest members to the stage for a special announcement.”
“Uh oh,” Dawn muttered.
Warren grinned, knowing that despite everything Dawn had gone through with the beach campaign, she still hated being the center of attention. That was what made this so much fun.
“Would Dawn Maddox and Sierra St. James please step forward?” Erik asked.
“I wonder what this is about?” Sierra asked with huge eyes. She looked at Dawn with a smile so plastic anyone could tell it was fake.
“What aren’t you telling me?” Dawn whispered.
“Uh... nothing,” Sierra said, suddenly deciding to inspect her nail polish.
Warren and Mikaela stepped forward, too, until they were shoulder to shoulder with Dawn and Sierra.
Erik spoke loudly into the microphone. “On behalf of the Sons and Daughters of Norway Lodge, we’d like to offer you this gift to welcome you as official members of the lodge.”
One of the halling members handed Dawn a small cardboard box that felt so heavy it could’ve contained bricks.
“Fresh smoked halibut!” The old lady called from her chair in the front row. “Surprise!”
Dawn’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. “This is wonderful.”
“Yay,” Sierra said unconvincingly. “Fish.”
“I’ll help you go put that in the car,” said Warren. “Be right back, girls.”
Mikaela and Sierra both nodded eagerly. “We’ll be waiting,” they called.
He put his hand on Dawn’s back and led her through the room and out the door. The winter night was bitter cold. Dawn’s sweater was warm, but Warren was sweating, and the cold hit his wet skin with a cruelty that made him shiver. He opened the back of his Xterra, took the fish from Dawn, and set it down on the utility mat.
It’s now or never, he told himself.
“What are we going to do with all this fish?” Dawn asked. “I don’t actually like halibut. Salmon’s okay, but?—”
Warren dropped to one knee. “Dawn Meadows Maddox, you are the bravest, fiercest, most beautiful woman I have ever known. You’ve taught me things I didn’t know I needed to learn. You are an incredible mother and a wonderful girlfriend, and I would be honored if?—”
“Yes!” Dawn blurted. “Yes. Yes. Yes. To whatever you are asking, yes!”
“Who said I was going to ask you something?”
“Oh. Um... Well, I thought…”
“I’m just kidding with you.” He took her hands in his. “Dawn Meadows Maddox, I love you with all my heart and soul. Would you do me the honor of being my bride?”
Tears sparkled in Dawn’s eyes, and she nodded so hard she almost gave herself whiplash.
Warren whooped and jumped to his feet. He pulled her close for a kiss and braced his arms around her with the strength of iron. The wind whipped through their hair like icy waves. Blood pounded through Warren’s veins like the current of Puget Sound.
Together, holding onto each other, they were a bridge that bound two hearts into one.
Turn the page to read the first chapter of Glued to You , Jennifer’s new standalone, sweet romance coming out June 24, 2025.