Epilogue
Autumn
ONE YEAR LATER
I adjust the top of my dress, peering into the mirror. “I can’t believe this day is finally here.”
“It’s been a long time coming,” Mom says—in my house, at my side, far from her own place. “You deserve this, sweetheart.”
I'm not so sure I do. But I'm taking it, holding on tight, and never ever giving it up.
“Ready?” Summer says on my other side. She runs a hand down the length of my hair.
“You look beautiful,” Meg says, just beside Mom.
And I feel beautiful. I feel light and free and extraordinarily happy. Every person I love and adore on the planet is either around me or on the other side of that door.
“Ezra’s waiting,” Mom says.
He is. So are Dessie and Don and dozens of other dear friends. Even Phil and his wife have come.
I breathe out, pressing a hand to the silk at my chest. “I wish Dad were here. ”
“He is,” Summer says, her fingers lacing through mine. “I know he is.”
Tears well in my eyes. I hug my sister, grateful she’s here and with me. Then I turn and hug my mother, so thankful she’s smiling, healthy, and coming back to herself.
I reach around for Meg—who, in so many ways, saved me. I needed her exactly when she came. And I’ll love her forever for coming back for me.
I step out into the sun, out into the sweetest fall day I’ve ever seen in Love, Wyoming. Ezra waits at the bottom of the porch. He beams up at me, his soft hazel eyes warm and full of so much love and acceptance.
Oh, how I love him.
I need him. I want him. And we belong together. I understand that now. We are beyond sickness and health, trouble and trial. He is my greatest adventure and I am his. There is no doubt in my mind. No one could convince me otherwise.
Which is why I hitched myself to that man months ago. Yep— married . Very, very married—no long engagement, no waiting on venues, guests, or anyone else. When Ezra asked me, we called everyone who meant anything to us and were married the following week.
He winks up at me now, ready to walk me to the grand opening of the TreeTop Bistro.
My little restaurant fits as if it were made for this farm, with its cedar exterior and natural wood interior. It’s beautiful. It’s perfect. It’s Ezra and it’s me.
And it’s opening night.