Epilogue
BLAIR
A year later
“And so the boy whispered, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll come back tomorrow.’ And the otter answered with a little chirp, as if he understood.”
I close my copy of The Otter and the Boy to the sound of eager applause echoing through the storytelling tent. A sea of kids sit cross-legged before me, Finn front and centre, Isla, Logan, and Rosie squashed in beside him. All four beam up at me like I’ve just performed magic.
At the back of the tent, clapping along, are the children’s parents. And among them are my parents, fresh off a flight from New York, their faces lit with pride.
And beside them? Lachlan. Standing tall, the warmth in his green eyes hitting harder than the applause, than anything else in this tent.
“Wasn’t that wonderful?” Ellie, seated to my right, flashes her MC smile as she addresses the crowd. “Let’s give Blair another big hand for sharing The Otter and the Boy with us!”
The clapping erupts again, even louder this time, and I blink hard, willing myself not to cry in front of a bunch of kids.
A year ago I was hiding in the granny flat, scribbling story notes and wondering if I’d ever find my way back to the career I’d lost. Now here I am, a published author—self-published, sure, but published nonetheless—reading to a tentful of kids hanging on my every word.
“Does anyone have any questions for Blair?” Ellie asks, and immediately a forest of little hands shoots up.
Ellie points to a girl near the front. “Yes?”
“Do the boy and the otter get to live happily ever after, like in fairy tales?” Her high voice is adorably serious.
I can’t help smiling, thinking of Finn last year, worried the otter might forget the boy after he was healed and had found a mate.
“Well,” I say, “the best advice I can give is to read the story and find out the ending for yourself. But let’s just say I’ve got a good feeling about that.”
We go through some more questions, but there’s no chance to get to every raised hand before our time is up. People start filtering out of the tent, chatting and laughing, some first taking a moment to come over and congratulate me.
“Great reading, Blair,” Douglas says warmly. “You had them hooked.”
“It was really good!” Rosie agrees.
Logan nods firmly. “But now... bouncy castle time! Bye, Blair!” The twins shoot off like rockets.
“Well, that’s my cue to go,” Douglas says. “Later!” He follows after them with a weary grin, but he’s not alone—Ellie threads her hand through his, flashing me a quick smile. I wave her off, warmth bubbling in my chest. It’s so good to see them together at last.
And they’re not the only ones. Next Struan comes over with Isla, and with them is Ainsley, the hairdresser who moved to town last year, and her little girl Lily. Lily’s younger than Finn and the others, but she more than makes up for it with sheer determination.
“I liked your story, Blair!” Lily announces, her small hand tucked trustingly into Isla’s, their bond already that of sisters.
“Thanks, Lily.”
“But now I want my face painted.” With her free hand, she gives her mom’s sleeve a bossy little tug.
Ainsley laughs, rolling her eyes, while Struan throws me a grin. “You did great, Blair. But we’d better get this one to the face-paint stall before she stages a protest.”
Together they head out, Isla patiently steering Lily while Struan slips an arm around Ainsley’s waist.
Soon it’s just me, Finn, Lachlan, and my mom and dad in the tent. Oh, and Gus, of course. After watching other people come over to hug me or pat me on the back, he decides he’d better give me a nuzzle too.
“Gus is every bit the charmer you said he was,” Dad says, scratching behind the dog’s ears like they’re old pals. “Though I have to say, he’s got some serious competition from this young man here.” He ruffles Finn’s hair affectionately.
“Not sure where that leaves me,” Lachlan says drily.
I grin at him. “Jury’s still out, it seems.”
“Oh, not at all!” Mom slips her hand through Lachlan’s arm.
“We love this man, and it’s so nice to finally see him in person after all those video calls.
Honestly, Lachlan, I thought you looked handsome on screen, but in person.
..” She squeezes his biceps appreciatively.
“You never had arms like these, Michael.”
“Oh my God, Mom. Seriously?” I groan.
Lachlan just chuckles, clearly not minding the attention one bit.
“Did you like Blair’s story?” Finn wants to know.
“We loved it,” Mom says. “Your granny would be so proud of you, Blair. Telling your own stories, building a life in this beautiful place where she grew up... it’s exactly what she would have wanted for you.”
My throat tightens. “Thanks, Mom.”
“But don’t think settling here gets you out of coming home to visit us.” Dad pulls Finn in against his side. “What do you think about Christmas in New York, buddy? Just like in Home Alone 2 .”
Finn’s eyes go wide. “Really?”
“Maybe not exactly like Home Alone 2 ,” I say. “Toy stores, Christmas trees, ice skating? Yes. Burglars and flying paint cans? Hard pass.”
Mom laughs and, finally releasing Lachlan’s arm, squeezes Finn’s shoulders. “Well, you can tell us all about what you want to see in New York while we go find you a treat. You mentioned a biscuit earlier, didn’t you?”
“An Empire biscuit!” Finn crows. “The best kind!”
“That’s the one.” Mom beams at him. “Come on, you and Gus can help us track some down.” Then, to Lachlan: “Assuming it’s okay with you that we take the boys for a few minutes?”
“Er, aye, of course. We’ll catch up with you later.”
And with that, Mom, Dad, and Finn head off, Gus trotting happily at their side. For the first time today, it’s just me and Lachlan.
He steps in close and takes my hand, our fingers slotting together like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I’m so proud of you,” he says. “You had them spellbound from the first word to the last. Christ, Blair. You’re incredible.”
I reach up and cup his cheek, my thumb brushing the soft prickle of his beard. He isn’t the guarded man I met last summer; there’s an ease in him now, a steadiness. The worry lines are still there, but they’re softer now, balanced by laugh lines that crinkle when he smiles.
“You know what’s incredible? How happy you look these days. How happy we both are.”
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, fingers lingering at my neck. “Hard to believe it’s been a year since you decided to stay.”
“Hard to believe I almost didn’t. I only ever imagined being here for a few months. Now I can’t imagine leaving.”
“Good,” he murmurs, leaning closer, his breath warm against my skin. “Because I’m not letting you go anywhere.”
And when his lips claim mine—sure and tender—I know I’ve found my anchor in this messy, beautiful life.
The Scottish Single Dads series continues in Built for Love , Struan and Ainsley’s story, coming January 2026.