Epilogue
As Mallory finished her shift at Memory Oaks, typing out the last note of the day, she glanced out the window of the carefully maintained grounds, admiring crepe myrtles in full bloom, their pink and purple blossoms adding splashes of color against a field of green.
When she’d worked at the hospital all those years, the only view she’d gotten was…
well, none. The blinds were always closed for patient privacy.
There was no natural light. No glimpses of nature.
And she rarely had time when she’d worked at the hospital to sit and admire anything.
It wasn’t just the view and the moments of rest throughout her day though.
Every day brought new challenges: helping residents navigate their confusion, supporting families through difficult transitions, celebrating small victories.
But the greatest reward was seeing Nan daily.
Though her grandmother rarely recognized her as family anymore, their relationship had evolved into something equally meaningful.
Now they shared the special bond between a patient and a nurse who carried Nan’s history in her heart.
Heading toward Nan’s room for her customary good-bye, Mallory’s shoes squeaked softly against the polished floors.
She stopped short at the doorway, her heart warming at the scene before her.
Inside, Pop sat with Nan, their laughter floating out into the hallway like music.
The afternoon sun streamed through the open blinds, casting a golden glow around them, and for a moment, Mallory could almost see their younger selves superimposed over their present-day forms. Nan with her soft, auburn hair and bright eyes.
Ralph with his strong shoulders and gentle smile.
Even with their memories fading, their connection remained.
Over her brief time here at Memory Oaks, Mallory had witnessed countless moments that proved what she now knew to be true—the heart remembers what the mind forgets.
Love persists beyond the boundaries of memory, living in shared laughter, in familiar gestures, in the comfort of presence even when names and faces blur.
She turned away quietly, not wanting to interrupt their time together. Besides, Mallory had somewhere important to be. Tonight marked the grand opening of Adaptive Outdoor Adventures, and Mallory’s chest tightened with anticipation. She was so happy for her little sister. So proud of Maddie.
“See you tomorrow, Francis!” Mallory called to the facility manager as she headed toward the exit.
Francis looked up and nodded. “Have I told you how glad I am to have you here?”
“Every day for the past six months,” Mallory said with a grin. She stopped short of the door. “But I think I may have failed to tell you just how glad I am you hired me. Thank you.”
“I knew you’d fit in here. It takes a special person to work with our patient population. A true caregiver.”
Mallory let that description sink in. Yeah.
She’d been caring for her younger sister since their mom left.
She’d cared for countless patients at the hospital.
Nan. When she’d been in the thick of her burnout, she’d lost the joy of doing for others, but it was back.
“I’m heading to the grand opening of Maddie’s new business. ”
“Oh, wow. I haven’t heard about a grand opening.”
“It’s just a family celebration. The community opening is this weekend,” Mallory said, reaching for her car keys from her bag.
“Well, tell Maddie I’ll be there. I think it’s great what she and Renee Callister are doing.”
The business was for everyone, inclusive in every way. People at all levels of ability were breaking through limitations and climbing their own “mountains,” regardless of how big or how small.
Mallory pushed through the exit doors and crossed the parking lot toward her car.
As she drove through Bloom, she rolled down her windows despite the heat, letting the scent of magnolia blossoms and freshly cut grass fill her senses.
The downtown streets were quiet this afternoon.
As she approached the old community theater, her breath caught.
The transformation really was stunning. The original structure remained, the weathered surface telling stories of decades past, but everything else had been thoughtfully reimagined.
Wide, gently sloping ramps with elegant handrails led to the entrance, their design so seamlessly integrated that they looked like they’d always been there.
The large windows, cleaned and restored to their original glory, offered glimpses of the interior where adaptive equipment waited to open new possibilities for those who thought certain adventures were beyond their reach because of their disabilities.
The building that had once housed Nan’s theater now promised new kinds of performances, ones where people rediscovered their strength, their courage, and their joy in movement.
The interior had been opened to create a bright, welcoming space.
Kayaks hung on the walls, modified with special seating systems. Adaptive mountain bikes stood in racks, their specialized designs promising freedom to those who thought they’d never ride again.
Rock climbing walls featured innovative harness systems, and the state-of-the-art fitness area boasted equipment designed to accommodate various abilities.
Not just people with disabilities though. Everyone was invited to “play.”
Maddie’s face glowed as she sat on the wide front porch in her wheelchair, surrounded by potted ferns and hanging baskets of lantana, which thrived in the Carolina heat.
There was a light in her eyes that Mallory recognized.
The rare kind that people had when they were living out their purpose.
Hollis had the same light. And, lately, Mallory had caught that light in her own reflection when she looked herself in the eye.
Maddie waved excitedly when she saw Mallory. Then she wheeled herself down the ramp with controlled speed and grace. “Everyone’s finally here!” she called out, her voice carrying across the parking lot. “We can finally get this party started!”
“Not quite everyone,” Mallory replied, biting her lower lip to contain her nerves as she watched Maddie’s gaze sharpen on an SUV that was pulling into the parking lot.
This could go one of two ways. Good. Or bad. Very bad.
“Mom?” Maddie’s voice caught on the word as she looked up at Mallory. “Is that…?”
Daisy stepped out of the vehicle, her hesitation visible in the way she gripped the car door before straightening her shoulders.
Daisy was a beautiful woman, no question.
She had long, shiny brown hair, streaked by the sun.
A golden tan and delicate features. Looking at her, one wouldn’t know the hardships she’d had along the way to this point.
She’d lost the man she loved—Mallory’s father.
She’d gotten pregnant young and had chosen to give up her babies, which couldn’t have been an easy choice.
Mallory’s gaze pinged from her mom to her sister. She held her breath, waiting to see how this would go.
Suddenly, Maddie’s squeal of delight broke the tension, sending relief flooding through Mallory’s veins. She’d taken a risk in not telling her sister about inviting their estranged mom, but their recent conversations about reaching out with no expectations or pressure had given Mallory hope.
As they took turns hugging one another, years of distance seemed to dissolve. Mallory felt Daisy tremble as they embraced. There was an urgency to her hug, as if she’d been waiting for this very moment for who knew how long.
Time suspended as their tears fell. They only stopped when they heard the heavy footsteps coming down the wooden ramp, announcing Hollis’s approach.
He and Sam had been working the outdoor grill for hours, perfecting the art of barbecue.
As he drew closer, the scent of smoking hickory wood and marinated chicken followed him.
Slipping an arm around Mallory’s shoulders, he pressed a kiss to her cheek before turning to Daisy.
“So you’re the man who thinks he’s going to ride off into the sunset with my baby girl?
” Daisy’s tone carried a playful edge, but Mallory thought she sensed something more.
Or maybe she wanted to believe there was more.
Perhaps maternal protectiveness and a deep love for the daughter that she’d missed.
No expectations, Mallory. No strings. That was the only way to ensure that no one got hurt, including Daisy. They were adults now. It was better to have a little bit of Daisy than to not have her at all. At least, that’s what Mallory had decided for herself.
Mallory felt Hollis tense slightly beside her, but then Daisy’s face softened into a genuine smile.
“Take care of her. She’s been through it because of me.
She deserves the best.” Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Hollis, seeing past the surface to the heart of him. “Something tells me, that’s you.”
Daisy’s words had a visible effect on Hollis.
Knowing how much Hollis had always struggled to feel worthy, Mallory reached for his hand and gave a small squeeze.
She also met her mother’s gaze and smiled.
They had a long road of healing ahead, but making the man that Mallory loved feel good about himself won Daisy points for sure.
As they followed the smell of barbecue toward the back of the building, Mallory touched her mother’s arm. “I’m happy you’re here.”
Daisy’s eyes glistened with a sheen of tears. “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Mallory felt the same. Surrounded by her family, including Nan and Pop, and the fireflies that began to twinkle in the fading sunlight, she was warmed by an all-encompassing peace, something she’d been missing last year and hadn’t even realized.
Sandy and Matt were here as well because Hollis was a huge part of Mallory’s life these days and, as Hollis’s family, so were Sandy and Matt.
Maddie’s voice got Mallory’s attention, carrying across the gathering as she proudly showed their mother the adaptive equipment and explained how each piece would help someone rediscover their love of outdoor adventure.
The community had pooled together to fund what was an expensive venture.
There was a lot of “old money” in small towns and generous folks who wanted to support the dreams of others.
Hollis caught Mallory’s eye in the small crowd.
She didn’t have to remind herself not to hold expectations with him.
She didn’t have to avoid strings or worry about having her heart broken.
He was a safe place to fall, and boy, had she fallen.
In his eyes, she saw more holiday plays at The Barn, which had become the event location’s official name.
She also saw more gatherings with both of their families and quiet evenings visiting Nan and Pop at Memory Oaks.
Life rarely followed the script you expected.
Sometimes it took unexpected turns, leading you down paths you would never have chosen.
But if you kept your heart open, if you were brave enough to try again, to forgive, to love, those serendipitous detours could lead you exactly where you were meant to be.
Nan always said that love was the greatest adventure of all, and knowing the story behind that wisdom made Mallory realize it was true for Nan, and it would also be true for her.
Looking at the family gathered around her, some by blood, some by choice, all by love, Mallory knew just how right she’d been.
Now that she’d found her life partner, Mallory’s adventure seemed to just be getting started, full of promise and possibility, and those rare and special memories worthy of capturing in a Christmas keepsake.