Story of My Life (Story Lake #1)

Epilogue

HAZEL

A lot can change in a year.

Or thirteenish months to be exact…ish. For instance, a dejected, mojo-less rom-com author from the “big city” can find said mojo, fall in love, get married, and end up standing onstage in front of her entire town at the Second Annual Fall Fest to accept the first-ever Hazel G. Hart Community Service Award.

The G stands for Gillian, by the way. I should ask my Mom why Gillian when she arrives next week with the swarthy Stavros, who turned out to be a big Greek teddy bear of a man.

And the guy I married? The one who made me realize I hadn’t had my first real shot at “the one” yet? The one who continues to wake me up sexily almost every morning. The one who added a gigantic meat smoker to my outdoor appliances without asking me was sitting in the front row looking proud and a little turned on.

His name is Marco.

Just kidding, folks. It’s Cam. Campbell Michael Bishop of the Story Lake Bishops.

I don’t know how it’s possible, but he’s gotten even more handsome than the first time I saw him. Of course, I was bleeding from a head wound and screaming a lot then.

There’s been less of both of those things since. But more of other things. Good things. Like a pontoon boat named The HEA with an accessibility ramp. And weekends at Story Lake Farm Sanctuary. And completing our foster parent application. And this morning’s pregnancy test, which I hadn’t gotten around to mentioning to the aforementioned handsome husband.

My Cam-inspired book hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list and continues to sell like hotcakes. Are hotcakes the same as pancakes? Asking for a friend. Cam was very popular on tour.

Meetcute and DeWalt continue to entertain us every day. DeWalt naps on my desk, snoring audibly, while Meetcute sleeps on my feet, farting…also audibly…and scentsily. Bertha loved her outdoor raccoon house so much that she had four baby raccoons in it.

Of course, it hasn’t been all rehomed wild animals and glitter. There was a lot of hard work. I’d written two more books, and business was booming for Bishop Brothers. And there was still the occasional argument. But with a hardheaded new-to-relationships guy like Cam, that was to be expected.

I was still working out a few kinks too. Trying to take more of an actively participatory role in life instead of just watching everyone else for inspiration. I was teaching creative writing classes at Story Lake Haven, the new assisted living facility, which turns out to be a whole other story. But Zoey is the heroine of that particular tale, so I’ll let her tell you.

Darius went off to college, leaving Story Lake short one mayor. Cam and his brothers took great joy in nominating and campaigning for Laura, who won in a landslide and is busier than ever with the kids, the general store, her accessibility consulting, and—I don’t want to jinx it, but we’re all friends here so I’m going to say it—the hot trainer at the gym.

Cam’s parents still host Sunday dinners, but Cam and I took over the Bishop Breakfasts. I’m slowly learning how not to burn French toast, and last week’s baked oatmeal was a surprise hit with Laura’s boys. Although there’s a chance they were feeding it to the dogs under the table.

Story Lake is moving forward too. Turns out romance readers are only too happy to vacation all year round in the town I fell in love with. A few of them have even moved here despite the fact that our official town slogan is “Story Lake: Towney McLake Face.”

All of this to say my heart and my home are full. But there’s a lot of space left in both, and I can’t wait to keep filling them up. I’ll keep you posted. But right now, I have to go accept my award and try not to cry off my mascara.

XO,

Hazel

Lucy has a special behind-the-scenes peek (with pics) at writing Story of My Life for you!

Click here to read how this author manifested getting hit in the face with a fish and why she should probably only write about lottery winners from now on…