Epilogue
Nora
The smell of sawdust and expensive espresso beans had become the soundtrack of my life.
I stood in the center of the newest Cookies and Coffee, the one three towns over, watching as Zion’s crew hung the final pendant lights over the long, communal table.
It wasn’t just a cafe; it was a replica of Mabel’s heart, transplanted into a community that didn’t even know how much it needed a place like this.
Beside me, Evan was on his laptop, leaning against a half-finished counter in a pair of oil-stained jeans and a cashmere sweater that had seen better days. He looked up, his eyes catching mine, and the crooked smile he gave me still made my heart do a frantic, happy somersault.
“The scholarship fund for this location is officially live,” he said, his voice dropping to that low, private rumble. “Three applications already. Two high school seniors and a grandmother who wants to go back for her nursing degree.”
I moved toward him, sliding my arms around his waist. The sapphire on my finger caught the afternoon sun, throwing a spark of blue across his chest. “We’re really doing it, aren’t we? We aren’t just building coffee shops; we’re building bridges.”
“We’re building a community, Nora,” he murmured, kissing the top of my head. “Our own.”
Life had not turned into a fairy tale overnight.
Our house was finally finished. We were living together before the wedding, playing by our own rules because we had spent too long following everyone else’s.
Every morning, I’d wake up to the sound of our horses nickering in the barn, and every evening, I’d fall asleep to the steady, powerful rhythm of Evan’s heart.
It was messy, it was exhausting, and it was the most honest thing I had ever known.
The storm, however, had not fully passed.
My father and Gabe still would not sit in the same room.
It was heartbreaking to see my father view the time I spent with the Hollistons as a personal injury I was inflicting on him.
We had all tried to reason with our fathers and talk our way to peace, but each conversation eventually hit the same wall.
But it didn’t stop us. And we refused to give up on them.
Brady had left with one goal: to uncover the reason for the feud.
Drew, Bella, Brady, Evan, and I had vowed to remain united as we faced whatever Brady returned with.
This wasn’t about allocating fault; it was about shining a light on a cancer that was eating away at both of our families and finally treating it.
“Any word from Brady?” I asked Evan when he looked up from his laptop.
“He said he will update us as soon as he knows anything, but he has located the correct Thomas Steele.” He smiled. “Only Brady would spend a weekend chatting up the wrong Steele family.”
I laughed, remembering how Brady had retold the story with the perfect timing of a seasoned comedian. “Right income bracket, wrong state.”
Drew, who had just walked in behind us, chuckled.
“When he comes back, I’m suggesting Brady takes over my role at the company.
He is so damn likeable. Did he tell you that he has an open invite to travel with the wrong Steele family whenever he wants to?
Apparently, they were already introducing him to all of their friends’ daughters. ”
“Well, he is a catch,” I joked. Evan raised an eyebrow at that, and I elbowed him. “Too soon? My heart has always belonged to you. Not him. Get over yourself.”
Evan nodded, his chin resting on my shoulder. “Do you think he is actually schmoozing the right Steele family this time?”
“We could do a little investigating on our own and help him,” I suggested.
“Nah,” Evan kissed my cheek. “It is more entertaining this way.”
“You are horrible,” I said with a laugh.
“I’m a big brother. Horrible is written into the fine print of our agreement.”
Outside, the first leaves of autumn were beginning to turn, painting the hills in shades of red, yellow, and orange. Like our lives, the landscape of the mountain town was changing, but not in a bad way. One season faded, making way for the next.
“Do you think he will come back with something that will actually end the feud?” I asked softly. “So we can all move on to the next stage of our lives together?”
Evan hugged me tighter. “Honestly, I have no idea what Brady will uncover, but I know it won’t change the future we’re building.
I love you, Nora, and I love who I am when I’m with you.
Nothing could ever change that. Not our families, not their secrets, not whatever challenges come our way. I’m all in on this with you.”
Blinking back happy tears, I snuggled deeper into his embrace. Evan was my best friend and my lover, and together we had learned that we didn’t have to run from storms or pretend they were not there. Together, we were strong enough to never fear the lightning.
“Rain or shine. Together. Forever,” I whispered.
“Yes,” Evan growled against my neck, and I melted into the promise of his kisses.
The End
Continue Reading with Not Them (Firebrook Valley Book 3)