Chapter 38
T he Word Well bookstore buzzed with energy, its shelves dressed in string lights and bursts of themed décor.
At the heart of it all, rows of chairs had been arranged in front of a large screen, now flickering in anticipation.
Guests mingled, their conversations a soft hum under the ambient music playing low in the background.
Alex stood at the back of the room, arms crossed, her expression caught somewhere between pride and nerves.
Tori’s voice cut through the buzz as she clapped her hands for attention. "Okay, everyone. Please take your seats. Our virtual guest of honor will arrive on screen any moment," she called brightly.
Chairs shuffled and guests quickly found their places. Excitement thickened the air.
"Don’t forget, you have swag bags under your seats," Tori added, her tone playful. "Keep them handy, especially the confetti poppers."
She slipped toward the back, linking up beside Alex.
"Confetti poppers? You really want to win this thing," Alex said, her brow arched.
"Even if it means I clean up glitter and confetti for the next year," Tori replied with a grin.
The screen scrambled before clearing.
"This is it, Wylder Hart, everyone!" Tori announced.
The crowd erupted into cheers as Will appeared on the screen.
"Hey McKenzie Ridge, it’s good to see you all. Thank you for coming out to celebrate such a big night," Will greeted.
Tori linked arms with Alex.
"We have readers from all over the world logging in, and I wanted to make sure McKenzie Ridge was broadcast everywhere with me," Will continued.
Tori leaned toward Alex. "Oh my gosh, does that mean we won?"
Alex shrugged.
"You see, tonight isn’t just about celebrating 'The Heart’s Desire' and the end of an incredible era," Will went on. "It’s about announcing the next chapter... But first, I need to right a wrong. You see, love is complicated, and sometimes it makes us act..."
"Jealous. Reckless. Foolish. Hey, that sounds like your next series," Georgie called out from offscreen.
Will chuckled and looked off-camera. "I got this."
Alex narrowed her eyes. "Did that sound like... Nah," she whispered to Tori.
"It was pointed out that I might have been jealous and reckless..." Will began again.
"And foolish," Georgie added.
"And foolish when I saw the woman I have fallen madly and deeply in love with hug another man," Will said.
Tori turned toward Alex, eyes wide.
"Turns out it was her brother," Will admitted.
The crowd burst into laughter.
"That was right after I was seen hugging Margot... my agent," he clarified.
"His agent? Oh no. I was... wrong," Alex murmured.
"You see, I believe the woman I’ve fallen for loves me just as deeply. That's why I'm connecting to McKenzie Ridge tonight. I'm excited to announce my next series, 'Love on the Mountain,' inspired by all of you, particularly your mayor," Will said.
Alex gasped and bolted for the door. "It’s me. He loves me. I need to go. I need to get to Portland and..."
She flung the door open—and froze.
Standing just outside were Will, Margot, Georgie, Tye, Luke, the kids... and of course, Fetch and Lady—a whole reunion in full, chaotic glory.
Tori stepped forward and gently took Will’s phone from his hand, angling it toward the room to continue the live stream.
"...find Will," Alex finished breathlessly.
"Found me," Will said with a soft smile.
Alex’s gaze danced over the group, her eyes locking on Lady. "You went and got Lady."
"Just in case I need a reason for you to go to Portland," Will said.
"You were willing to kidnap my dog? Again?"
"Something tells me dogs are responsible for this whole thing."
"You might be right."
"I am... so sorry," Will said.
"No, I... I thought Margot..."
"I know, I know. I thought you were dating your brother, so we’re even."
"Eww."
"That didn't come out right... Anyway, being away from you these past few days was miserable. If that’s not a testament to my love, then I don’t know what love is."
"Read your books. I think you know."
"Well, then, I guess all that’s left to ask, Madam Mayor..."
"Interim Mayor..."
"Interim Mayor... Can I kiss you?"
"Let me think about that..."
Alex kissed him, sealing the reunion with the kind of magic no one could script better than Will himself.
The crowd surged around them, cheering and celebrating. Tori squeezed into frame beside them.
"There you have it. Love is in the air at The Word Well in beautiful McKenzie Ridge," she announced.
Margot popped into the shot, beaming. "Hi, everyone. Since Will’s a little... tied up at the moment, I’m happy to announce that the first book in his new ‘Love on the Mountain’ Series will launch next year, right here at..."
She glanced at Tori.
"The Word Well," Tori filled in.
"The Word Well, in McKenzie Ridge, where love happens in chapters."
Tori gasped. "Ooh. Love in chapters, that’s good. Did you just make that up?"
Margot nodded. "Until next time, fans..."
Tori spun the camera toward the crowd, and in a burst of sound and sparkle, everyone let their confetti poppers fly. Shimmering ribbons of glitter rained down over Will and Alex.
Off to the side, the crowd still buzzing, Alex pulled Will aside.
"I have something for you," she said.
"I don’t know how you’re going to top that kiss," Will teased.
Alex revealed the pen he’d dropped back at the B&B.
"Alex... I thought I’d lost this thing for good," Will said, voice thick with emotion.
"First the dogs, then the pen..." Alex said.
"It’s kismet. This place, you..."
Before he could finish, Jack Henry approached with a small wooden box in hand.
"You still have it, I see," Jack said.
"I’m sorry?" Will asked.
"The pen. I have something for you."
Jack handed over the box. Will opened it slowly to find a second pen, identical to his own.
"I don’t understand..." Will said.
"I always knew you had it in you, kid. Now you have the set," Jack said with a wink before walking away.
"Henry Jackman?" Will whispered, still stunned.
"Kismet," Alex said with a smile.
And with that, Will and Alex kissed again, the night wrapping around them like the perfect final chapter... or maybe the first of a brand-new story.