Epilogue
Shelby whipped out the tablecloth and let it drop over the picnic table. The July heat was made bearable by a gentle breeze—which
also carried the savory scent of grilling burgers. Her stomach gave a hearty rumble. “How’s it going over there?”
Her husband had his hands full with the meat and with Shadow, who danced around his feet, whining pitifully. “Another fifteen
minutes or so. Your family on their way?”
“They’ll arrive any minute now.” Smoke rose from the grill, dissipating into the air.
She focused on the man behind the grill. He wore the Caution: Extremely Hot apron she’d given him on Valentine’s Day. The same night he’d surprised her with a heartfelt proposal and a brilliant solitaire
diamond. The memory washed over her along with all the love it conjured. She went to him and wrapped her arms around his middle.
Pressed her cheek against his back.
He set down the spatula and set his arms over hers. “Well, this is nice.”
“It was the apron.”
“It reminded you I’m hot?”
She chuckled. “It reminded me of your proposal.” That February day had dawned sunny and unseasonably warm. He’d taken her on a picnic to the park where they’d met so many times as teenagers. Shelby could’ve fainted dead away when he dropped to one knee in the big white gazebo.
Three months later they married in a small church wedding. They’d already waited years to be together and didn’t see the point
of wasting any more time. It was an intimate ceremony, just family and close friends. Gray’s dad sent a very nice note of
congratulations.
Gray still made the trip once a month to see him, and sometimes Shelby went along too. He was up for parole again next spring
and Gray hoped he’d be released—though they all agreed it would be wise for him to settle near his cousins in Chattanooga.
Gray turned from the grill and cradled her face, gazing down at her. There had been something new and fresh about his appearance
since that town hall meeting. He was at peace. It was a great look on him. In the town where Gray was once rejected, he’d
found acceptance and community. She was proud of her town for recognizing their prejudice and proud of Gray for his spirit
of forgiveness.
“No regrets about the simple wedding?” he asked.
“It was a perfect day. I just wanted to be married to you. And here we are.” So content with their new life together. So happy.
After the wedding they’d spent two nights in downtown Charlotte. They were planning to take a longer honeymoon on their first
anniversary—Shelby hadn’t felt comfortable leaving the bookshop just yet. It was a topic they’d dreamed about over the winter
though.
“Jamaica?” he said as if reading her mind.
“Hmm. Too tropical.”
“Tropical sounded pretty great in February.”
“But now it’s July and tropical sounds miserable.”
“Alaska?”
“Too cold.”
“Anybody home?” Dad came around the side of the house, Ollie in his arms.
Gray greeted his father-in-law as Shelby eased from his arms.
“Hi, Dad.” She offered him a hug, then stole Ollie away. Their sweet baby nephew would turn one next month. He was already
a crawling machine. “Where are Caleb and Liddy?”
“They’re in the kitchen warming something up.”
Dad joined Gray at the grill while Shelby carried Ollie down to the shoreline so he could see the ducks. A few minutes later
Caleb and Liddy joined them, and they all exchanged hugs on the patio.
It did Shelby’s heart good to see the way Caleb and her dad’s relationship had thrived since he’d moved home. They’d worked
on Gram’s old house together over the winter: replacing the furnace and adding a half bath. Gray had pitched in when he could.
And Dad had bought that lakeview painting Caleb had created in his backyard—it was his very first gallery sale at Muse and
Masterpiece. The work of art hung right over Dad’s fireplace.
Shelby set Ollie down and he immediately crawled toward the grass. “Good thing you put him in pants,” she said to Liddy.
“Now if we can just keep him off the pier.”
Shadow trotted over to the baby and stopped short, sniffing Ollie’s face.
The boy erupted in laughter, then grabbed Shadow’s ear. The canine easily extricated himself and licked Ollie’s feet, provoking
a belly laugh.
“That dog is so gentle with him,” Liddy said.
Caleb joined them. “Told you we need a dog, babe. A nice black Lab or golden retriever. A lake dog.”
“Or a rescue dog...” The debate had been going on for weeks.
Caleb’s gaze caught on the lakefront. Without another word he headed down the gentle slope of the lawn, pulled his phone from
his pocket, and began framing shots.
“Uh-oh,” Liddy said. “Looks like he found more inspiration.”
Shelby took in the view. The sun was setting at their backs, bathing the homes around the bay in a buttery glow. The sunlight glimmered like gold on the water. “I can see why.”
These days Caleb continually found inspiration in the beauty surrounding their hometown. His paintings were selling like crazy
at Muse and Masterpiece.
A minute later Caleb joined them again. “Did you see the lighting on those houses?”
“Your next masterpiece,” Liddy said.
“I don’t know about that, but I can’t wait to paint it.”
“How’s Haley doing at the gallery?” Shelby asked. In May her former bookseller had taken a position at Muse and Masterpiece.
“She seems to be doing great. She’s a budding artist. Showed me some of her work. It’s fresh and interesting.”
“Caleb’s thinking about asking her if she wants an apprenticeship with him.”
“Oh wow.” Shelby was so glad the girl had found her passion. “I’ll bet she’d love that. She could learn a lot from you.”
“How’s business been this week?” he asked.
“Very busy with all the tourists in town for the holiday. It’s nice to have a Saturday off.” She thought back to the night
when everything had shifted—the town hall meeting. The next morning the store had a line out front, and the shop was crazy
busy all through December. Between in-store sales and Phoebe’s preorders, they’d easily paid the back rent due in January.
They’d even remained busy during their slower winter months, allowing them to put back a little cash. “I knew you could do it.” Gram’s voice echoed in her head. “My Sweet Girl has a head for business.”
Shelby glanced out over the water, feeling her grandmother’s presence like the breeze on her skin. Sometimes she missed her
so much it was a physical ache. But she also knew Gram would be proud of her. And proud of Gray—she’d always believed in him.
And so did Shelby. In April she’d drawn up papers, offering Gray the 49 percent ownership that Gram had bequeathed to him.
He’d offered her a warm smile, a soft kiss. “This is your store, honey. We’re partners in life and business. I don’t need
papers to prove that.”
“Maybe not, but Gram wanted you to have it, and so do I. You’ve earned it, Gray. It’s yours if you want it—if being a partner
is enough for you.”
His eyes softened on her. “Being your partner in business and life is a dream come true.”
In May Brendan’s case had finally gone to trial. Because there was an eyewitness to the shooting—one of Gray’s neighbors—he’d
taken a plea deal for a lesser offense. But he was still sentenced to three years. He’d probably be out in half that, but
Shelby and Gray weren’t bitter. He’d lost the respect of the community and his position at his father’s investment firm.
Later that same month, Richard Remington had shocked them both when he’d come into the store and handed Gray a check. It was
enough to cover the scholarship his grandson had stolen from Gray.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive your father for what he did to our son,” Richard said. “But my wife and I realize you bear
no fault in Troy’s death. This money is rightfully yours.”
“I appreciate what you’re saying. But I can’t accept this check. You didn’t take that scholarship from me.”
“I cultivated an environment that framed you as a bad person. Both my sons adopted my attitude and did you wrong. I was culpable.
Please take it. My wife and I want you to have it.”
The money still sat in their bank account. Last month they’d decided to offer a partial scholarship each year to a disadvantaged
Grandville graduate. Gray felt good about giving back a little, and Shelby was so proud of his generous heart.
They both felt a little sorry for Richard and Renee.
Their grandson was now in jail, and shortly after the town hall meeting, Mason was suspended from the police force without pay, pending an investigation.
He was eventually found guilty of misconduct for pulling Gray over without cause.
In May he’d been reinstated on a probationary basis.
“Put that down, Ollie,” Liddy called.
The baby sat on his rump with a twig in his hand. He gave his mama a toothy grin.
“Don’t you put that in your—”
Ollie stuck the twig in his mouth.
Liddy rushed over as an expression of distaste came over his face. “We have actual food coming, silly goose.”
“Speaking of which,” Gray called from the grill, “come and get it!”
The firework’s boom vibrated inside Shelby, then red bloomed across the sky. Its reflection sparkled on the lake below. The family gathered on
a hodgepodge of blankets in their backyard. Shelby rested between Gray’s legs, nestled into his chest.
“Look at Ollie,” Liddy said between fireworks.
The baby sat in Caleb’s lap, staring up at the sky wide-eyed.
“I was afraid the noise would scare him.”
“Not this boy,” Caleb said. “The noisier the better.”
Another firework shot into the sky and shattered into a dazzling green display. The sparks fizzled in a cascading waterfall
of light.
Gray whispered in Shelby’s ear, “Our first fireworks as husband and wife...”
She smiled at the thought, her mind immediately going back to another Independence Day. “Remember our first Fourth of July?
Our first kiss?”
“How could I forget? You ruined me for all other women that night.”
She turned her head to meet his gaze as a white explosion lit up his face. “I’ll keep right on ruining you, if you like.”
“By all means.”
She obliged, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. Except the quick kiss led to another... and another. She curled her hand
around his neck. His pulse thudded against the flesh of her palm. This man still lit her up like the night sky.
“Aww...” Liddy said. “You guys are so cute.”
“You’re making me look bad, dude,” Caleb muttered.
Shelby drew away, falling into Gray’s love-drunk eyes. His face glowed green as another firework exploded. Just as suddenly,
an idea burst into her mind. “Ireland.”
He blinked. A smile split his face. “Ireland.”
She was smiling as she turned and settled back against him. We’re going to Ireland, Gram. She folded her arms over Gray’s, feeling the kind of contentment she’d only dreamed of.
When Gram had passed it seemed like Shelby would never be truly happy again—especially after the reading of that will. But
what seemed like a curse had turned to a blessing, and now she couldn’t imagine her life without Gray.
The fireworks intensified as the show entered its grand finale. They were so big and loud Shelby wondered if Gram could see
and hear the display from heaven. If she could see her family, happily gathered on the lawn. See Gray and her, finally in
each other’s arms where they belonged.
Shortly after their engagement had been announced, Mr. Greenwood from the law firm appeared at the bookstore. After greeting
Shelby, he turned to the business matter that had brought him there. “All the stipulations of your grandmother’s will have
been carried out to the letter—except for one last thing.” He extended an envelope that bore her name—in her grandmother’s
handwriting. She couldn’t imagine what it was. But having one last message from Gram was the most special kind of gift. She
pressed the envelope to her chest.
Once Mr. Greenwood left, she took the letter down to the office, which was quiet as Gray had recently left to meet Patrick for lunch. Her hands worked greedily to open the envelope. Then she pulled out the lined sheet of stationery and read.
My Sweet Girl,
If you’re reading this letter, then it means I was right—and you know how I like being right. I’m sure you’ll forgive me for
my postmortem interference in your love life. I never could mind my own business, especially where you and Gray were concerned.
I always knew the two of you were meant to be. There were simply too many obstacles for your young love to survive. Your grandma
decided you needed a helping hand.
And now I can rest in peace knowing the love between you still burns so brightly. I got to spend my life with my special soulmate,
and nothing makes me happier than knowing you’ll get to do the same. Love each other well. You both deserve your second story.
All my love,
Gram