Epilogue
Katie - Five years later
Paint splattered my overalls, streaking my hands and arms. The shop was really coming together though—eggshell white, with blush pink accents, and a touch of lemon yellow to brighten it up. The building had been an old laundromat years ago, left to rot until I bought it for a song at auction.
After a grueling winter of gutting, cleaning, and rebuilding, the bare bones of The Enchanted Teapot were visible now. I could clearly envision where I would offer cooking classes for tea cakes, cookies, and chocolates. The shelves that would cover one wall, full of my signature tea blends. And there would be a little sewing nook for doll dresses, full of fabric and ribbon scraps, beads and buttons.
The murmur of voices drew me out of the back room. I emerged to find Maverick seated on the floor, broad shoulders hunched over, as he sipped at a rainbow unicorn cup.
His cut no longer bore the Nomad patch. Instead, he wore the patch of his club, Blacktop Brotherhood MC—a humble group of men who cruised the highways for leisurely rides on Sunday afternoons.
Our daughter, Katherine “Kitty” Hurst, arranged her dolls and plushies with their own cups to form a tea party. Ever since the day she was born, she had Maverick wrapped around her little finger. At nearly five years old now, it was becoming increasingly obvious that wasn’t going to change any time soon.
“Daddy, you didn’t stir the tea,” she said, exasperated.
“Ah, you’re right. Slipped my mind. Silly me.”
He picked up a tiny spoon and pretended to stir his non-existent tea. He presented the cup for Kitty’s inspection.
“How does that look?”
She gave a sage nod.
“Perfect. Don’t forget—it’s hot.”
I covered my mouth to muffle my laughter. Then I cleared my throat.
“All right, you two. Time for a lunch break.”
Maverick stretched his back and held his hand out, gesturing for me to come closer.
“Thank God. My knees can’t take much more of this, dove.”
I chuckled and crossed the room, clasping his hand to help him to his feet. Kitty bounced up and flung her arms around me.
“Mommy! Daddy said we could go to the toy store later and I could pick out a motorcycle for my Barbie,” she declared.
I raised my eyebrows and glanced at Maverick. He heaved a sigh and scooped Kitty off her feet, propping her in the crook of his arm.
“And you were supposed to let me break the news to your mother, you little chatterbox. Can’t keep a secret to save your life, I swear. Although I suppose that will come in handy when you hit puberty and start eyeing boys.”
Kitty wrinkled her nose.
“Boys are smelly and gross.”
Maverick chuckled and kissed her cheek.
“Atta girl. Looks like I don’t have to worry about you for a while.”
“Until she finds that one man who makes her weak in the knees,” I countered with a smile.
Maverick looped an arm around my waist, tucking me into his side.
“Yeah, well, that’s a few years away. No need to borrow trouble yet. The place is looking good, Mama.”
I sighed, surveying my work.
“There’s still so much to do, but it’s better than it was before. We’re getting there.”
Maverick grazed his knuckles against my cheek, brushing an errant wisp of hair behind my ear.
“Why don’t I call in the club for the weekend? They can help lighten the load. It would make things go faster, too. All you have to do is bribe them with beer and food. Works like a charm.”
I cast him a grateful smile.
“I don’t need a bunch of loud bikers traipsing through my shop. Besides, you just want an excuse to brag about your wife.”
“She is pretty sexy,” he said, delivering a playful pat to my ass.
I shoved him back lightly, laughing. Maverick caught my wrist, kissing the wedding ring on my finger with a gleam of pride in his eyes. Even after five years of marriage and raising a child together, one look from his dark eyes and I was putty in his hands.
I snuggled into his chest, wrapping my arms around him.
“You were pretty sexy yourself earlier. Especially with that tiny teacup, surrounded by dolls, dressed in your leathers,” I said.
“Oh, yeah?” Maverick replied.
“Absolutely. Being a married man looks good on you.”
“In that case…” He set Kitty on the ground. “Time to go, kiddo. I hope you’re looking forward to having a new baby brother or sister in nine months, because your mama and I will be making a baby tonight.”
“ Maverick! ” I said, swatting his chest.
“Can I make a baby too, Daddy?” Kitty chirped.
He placed his large hand atop her head and steered her toward the door.
“Not on my watch. And definitely not until you’re at least forty.”
Kitty pouted.
"Auntie Bristol would let me make a baby. She has Play Doh that smells like gummy bears. And it's sparkly pink."
I coughed to hide my laughter.
"Stick to Play-Doh, kid," Maverick said. "And I won't have to break some poor boy's kneecaps."
Standing on the threshold of my shop, I watched Maverick and Kitty walking down the sidewalk. Her little hand was engulfed in his palm. He slowed his pace to match her little legs, with her tiny pink shoes trotting next to his heavy biker boots.
As I finished locking up, I smiled to myself.
The shop of my dreams was unfolding before my eyes.
My little girl was smart, creative, kind, and the spitting image of me, with her big blue eyes and round pink cheeks.
My husband adored me, willing to move heaven and earth for our daughter.
And if I knew Maverick, he would be true to his word—a second baby would be on the way in a few months.
At one time, I never thought any of this was possible.
Now, I had everything I had ever wished for and more.