Epilogue
Grace
Juniper Falls, three months later…
"You know," Nathan says, adjusting the growing collection of books in my tote bag, "when I suggested the farmers' market, I didn't realize I was signing up to be your personal library sherpa."
I add another paperback to the stack, ignoring his theatrical sigh. "Says the man who spent twenty minutes comparing heirloom tomatoes."
"That's different. Tomatoes are essential."
"And books aren't?"
His grin—the one that still makes my heart skip—flashes in the morning sunlight. "Not arguing that. Just suggesting we might need a bigger bag. Or a forklift."
The Saturday market hums with life around us, stalls overflowing with spring produce and crafts. Mrs. Peterson waves from her jam stand, and I notice she's wearing the apron Nathan fixed for her last week. He's always doing things like that—quiet acts of care that weave him deeper into the fabric of our town.
"Oh!" I grab his arm, nearly causing him to drop his carefully selected vegetables. "Rose has her herb stand set up. We have to stop."
"Lead the way, Book Whisperer."
Rose's stall draws the eye with its neat rows of potted herbs and dried bouquets. She's arranging sprigs of thyme when we approach, her auburn curls escaping their messy bun.
"Grace!" Her smile brightens. "And Nathan. Still keeping our library standing?"
"Barely," he says, eyeing my book bag. "Don't suppose you have any advice for someone who can't keep plants alive? Asking for a friend."
Rose laughs, reaching for a small potted basil. "Start small, and don't forget to water it. Though something tells me Grace won't let you forget."
"She has reminders in her planner," Nathan stage-whispers.
I elbow him gently. "At least I don't measure the water down to the milliliter."
"Once! I did that once!"
Rose watches our exchange. "You two are good for each other," she says, wrapping up a bundle of lavender I hadn't even asked for yet. She knows my weaknesses too well.
A shadow falls across the stall, and Rose's smile turns mischievous. "Looks like Juniper Falls' grumpiest chef is making his daily inspection."
I follow her gaze to where Daniel Hartman stands at the edge of the market, scowling at Rose's herb display like it's personally offended him. His reputation for being particular about ingredients is apparently well-earned.
"He's been hovering all morning," Rose confides, seemingly unbothered. "Probably planning to tell me everything I'm doing wrong with my basil cultivation."
"Speak of the devil," Nathan murmurs as Daniel strides past, muttering something that sounds suspiciously like "amateur hour."
Rose's eyes spark with something that might be irritation or interest—possibly both. But before I can analyze it further, Nathan tugs me toward the flower stand.
"Come on," he says. "Before you adopt any more books."
"I don't adopt—" I stop as he hands the vendor money for a small bouquet of wildflowers. "What's this for?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"You usually have one. Several, actually, with supporting evidence."
He laughs, taking my hand as we head toward the park. The morning sun paints everything in warm light, turning ordinary moments into something magical. Or maybe that's just how life feels now, with Nathan beside me.
"Fine. I have reasons." He ticks them off on his free hand. "One: you look beautiful today. Two: I love you. Three: I'm really glad I stayed."
My heart still flips when he says things like that. "That's a very practical list."
"I'm a very practical man." He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Who happens to be surprisingly good at happy endings."
"Beginnings," I correct him, rising on my toes to properly kiss him. "We're still at the beginning."
Around us, the market bustles with life and possibility. And as Nathan leads me toward our favorite picnic spot, our hands linked and our bags full of books and vegetables and fresh herbs, I think about how the best stories are the ones you don't see coming.
The ones that surprise you with their magic, even as they plant your feet firmly in reality.
Thanks for reading Firefly Nights. Don’t miss the other books in the series. Next up is Garden Gate Wishes, Rose and Daniel’s story.