Epilogue
T hey’d broken ground on the Grand yesterday, and Liam had been privileged to be holding Dani’s hand through it all.
But that wasn’t the most exciting thing to happen this week.
This was.
“Here you go.” Cody Hart held out the keys to Liam with a smile. “I tried fixing everything up for you as requested, but if you find any rattling radiators, be sure to let me know.”
Liam laughed. “Thanks, man. I’m sure it’s perfect.” He swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. Beside him, Dani squeezed his hand, eyes shining.
Cody stuck his hands in his back pockets. “Mia said she’s sorry she couldn’t be here to give you the keys herself.” Though she hadn’t worked as a realtor in years, Mia still had her license and had helped Liam find the small bungalow for sale a few blocks from downtown—and right up the road from her on Lilac Lane—within a few days. The couple who’d owned it had moved out several years ago and was very motivated to find a buyer ASAP.
It was only a thousand square feet. Two tiny bedrooms. One bath. A galley kitchen and a single living area.
And yet, it was so much better than a hotel penthouse.
“I hope everything’s okay with her.” The keys felt heavy—significant—in Liam’s palm.
“Nothing big, but Finn’s got a fever.”
“Oh no,” Dani said. “Poor boy. And poor mama. On Mother’s Day weekend too. I’ll have to stop by later and see if there’s anything I can do.”
“I’m headed over now to check in. I’ll let her know to text you if she needs anything.”
“Thanks, Cody!” Dani called as their friend walked down the sidewalk. Then she turned to Liam again. “You ready to go inside?”
He blew out a breath and pivoted to take in the sight before him. From the small porch to the white-trimmed windows, the angled wooden roof to the robin’s-egg blue clapboard siding, everything about it felt as quaint as the rest of the island. The previous owners had left spring flowers in a long planter under the front living room window, and bright colors bloomed there.
Welcoming him home.
“It’s beautiful, Liam.” Dani tugged on his hand. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”
He let her drag him through the honest-to-goodness white picket fence and down the brick path that traversed the small, grassy yard until they reached the porch. Taking the steps two at a time, they were at the front door before he knew it.
Dani pointed at the brown door. “I think we should paint that yellow.”
“Because yellow is definitely a me color.” He laughed at the fake pout she put on. The last few weeks together—working alongside each other, dining together at Martha’s, watching the Travel Channel and planning their first trip abroad—had only solidified what he knew deep in his gut.
This was the woman he wanted to make his wife.
Not yet though. He didn’t want to scare her with the force of his affections. But he’d meant what he said. He wasn’t moving away from Jonathon Island unless Dani Sullivan was with him.
“Well, it’s a me color, and I’m going to be over here enough.” She stole the keys from him.
He slid a hand around her waist and pulled her close. “You think so, huh?” Who was he kidding? If all went according to his desires, she’d share it with him someday. “What I think is that you’re definitely a ball of sunshine, so yellow it is.”
“And you’re going to give me free rein on the inside too, right?”
“I don’t know if I should do that. You might try to pretty up my bachelor pad.”
“Oh, are you a bachelor? Guess I should go then.” She turned to leave, but he hooked her around the waist again.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“Good, because I’m rather partial to my spot by your side.”
“Ditto.”
One of his hands cupped her cheek as she angled her mouth up to meet his and placed one palm flat against his chest.
Could she feel the way his heart beat for her?
Kissing her slowly, Liam backed her up against the door and feathered kisses along her cheek, her jaw, her ear. He wanted this, with Dani, forever. Little moments and big.
Was this his life? And he’d almost missed it.
Finally, he pulled away and smiled at the hazy look in Dani’s eyes, like she was waking out of a dream. Leaning down, he kissed her nose. “You ready to see inside?”
“You know I’ve seen it before, right? I used to babysit for the Rogers family, who lived here when I was a teenager. Before they sold it to the Matthesons.”
He chuckled. “Guess it’ll be a while before I can rattle off people’s names and island history like that, huh?”
“Good thing you have a great teacher.” Dani winked and dangled the keys for him to take back. “Now show me your new home!”
“All right, all right, Miss Impatient.” He slid the key into the knob. “Ready?”
“I am. Are you?” Her voice was soft now. She knew what this meant to him.
“I think so.” He nodded. “Yes.” Then turning the knob, he pushed on the door. It creaked open, and together, they stepped through the doorway. The place looked brand new—freshly painted walls, all the nail holes patched up where previous owners had hung picture frames. The crown molding, which on Liam’s first walk-through had been crumbling in places, was now pristine.
Liam whistled. “Cody did a great job getting this place all ready for me.”
For him. This was his. He wasn’t even renting.
He’d put down roots.
“I still can’t believe he wouldn’t let me pay for his time. Just the cost of the repairs.”
“That may have been my idea.” Dani walked into the kitchen and ran her fingers against the smooth, white countertop, which used to be laminate but now was granite.
“Your idea? But why?”
“This house was in a similar state of disrepair as the homes around here that we plan to offer to new business owners for a dollar. You know, Phase Two of our revitalization plan. I thought it would be good to know how much it would cost to fix up the other available houses for new business owners.”
“That was very business savvy of you.”
“I’m learning.” She offered a small smile. “Although I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and out of my depth. It’s going to be a fairly massive undertaking to get all of the homes and business fronts ready, plus sift through applicants, vet them, and assign them to spaces. I think I’m going to need some help since I’ll be busy with planning the tourism season and working with vendors to get a few festivals up and running.”
“And checking up on me and my progress, right?”
“Of course. Gotta make sure you’re sticking to our plans.”
Speaking of those plans, he still couldn’t believe she’d altered them slightly, even before she knew he was coming back. When he’d seen the addition of a Donna’s Delights ice cream parlor in the bottom level of the Grand Sullivan Hotel, well, he hadn’t thought it was possible, but his love for her had grown right then and there.
“Oh, Dani. If only you knew.” He winked at her. “I have so many plans for us.”
Her eyes flashed, something flirtatious in them. “Is that a fact?”
“It is.” Liam walked up behind her and slid his arms around her, tucking her back against him. Closing his eyes, he breathed in her vanilla scent, daring to picture what future moments in this very kitchen might look like. All the meals they might prepare. The kisses they might share. The slow dances they might take. He pressed a kiss to her temple. “And every one of them is good.”
“If they’re with you, then I have no doubt.” Dani turned in his arms and placed her hands on his biceps. “What do you say we make this into a real home? I’ve got so many ideas on how to decorate.”
“It already is a real home.”
She cocked her head. “Right now it’s the shell of a real home.”
“No.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re here with me. That’s all I need.”
“Liam Stone. Are you saying that I’m your home?” Dani sniffed. “Because if so, that’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying, Dani. You and God—you’re my safe places. Whether I have four consistent walls surrounding me or not, I know exactly where I belong.”
And leaning in, he kissed her, making the first memory of what he hoped would be many, right here.
* * *