Epilogue
Late September
Riva’s house settled into a happy hum of four women “of a certain age” taking turns with chores, according to Laurel’s charts, sharing clothes and beauty tips and recipes, and just enjoying a refreshed sense of sisterhood.
Perhaps it was partly due to Kitty’s chaotic time spent there, and her quiet absence now, that it seemed all four housemates had a healthy respect for personal space and individual differences. But the house felt peaceful.
The book group was officially formed with the four housemates, Kitty and Danny, plus Marcus and Wes, as well as one of Fiona’s bandmates.
Ten altogether, which made things rather cozy .
. . but nice. Thanks to Windy, they started with an informal buffet dinner before settling into the library with coffee and tea and dessert.
“Welcome to our first book group,” Riva told everyone. “Our efficient secretary Laurel has suggested we start our meeting by compiling a list of books for our upcoming year, and as you know, everyone is going to suggest one title.”
Laurel held up her notebook. “I’ll list them all here and then email everyone a copy.”
They went around sharing their book choices, and thanks to their varied interests and expertise, the list was quite diverse. “Great,” Riva said after the last title was down. “Looks like we’re all booked up.”
Everyone clapped. And now Marcus lifted his coffee mug toward Riva. “Before we start, I’d like to make a toast. Here’s to Riva, a woman who has lived up to the meaning of her name.”
“What does her name mean?” Laurel asked with a creased brow.
“Her name is related to the word river.” Marcus turned to Riva with a happy sparkle in his eyes.
“And I must agree that our host is like a cool, clean, refreshing river.” He turned back to the group.
“Her name also means to join things together.” He waved his coffee mug toward everyone.
“And if you ask me, that’s exactly what Riva’s done here.
She’s joined us all together, uniting us with her books.
But even more than that, she’s united us with her kind and gracious love. Here’s to Riva.”
“To Riva!” they echoed.
Riva looked around her library, filled with the same books she used to call friends, as well as her real living, breathing friends.
She smiled at Marcus. “Thank you, but I don’t think I deserve the credit for bringing us together.
I’ll give that credit to God.” Then she addressed the whole group, “And what God has joined together, let no man—or woman—split apart.”
They all laughed, and Kitty and Danny both said a hearty amen!
Marcus clicked his mug against Riva’s with a knowing nod. “And amen.”