Epilogue
TARA
One year later…
A fter a successful dinner meeting with local business owners, I’m back in my office to grab my bag. It’s after eight. Thankfully, there’s plenty of time to catch the full moon up on?—
“Knock, knock,” says someone at the door.
I look up and grin at Silvo, Moonstruck Cove’s ageless plaque-maker. “Hi, Silvo. What are you doing here so late?”
“Thought you might want to be the first to see this.” He hands me his newest creation—a round plaque with horns in honour of the Glowing Devils, who will be coming back to Moonstruck Cove as a group for the first time in ten years. The rock band will be performing at an outdoor concert at the foot of Lover’s Hill, our legendary landmark, and the whole town is buzzing with anticipation.
“This breaks the record for the most suggestions on where we should display this plaque,” Silvo says, handing me a sheet of paper. “Everyone can’t wait for the council’s last word on where it should go.”
I nod, glancing at the long list of suggested places, ranging from a special stand in the middle of the town plaza to the still-standing park bench that the four members of the Glowing Devils accidentally set fire to when they were still rowdy teenagers.
Believe it or not, plaques are one of our tourist attractions here in Moonstruck Cove. We celebrate every exciting thing that happens with a plaque, mostly of the humorous variety. They’re everywhere and are part of the uniqueness of our beautiful small town.
“I hope that even though the excitement is sky-high, we can keep this as a surprise for the Glowing Devils,” I comment.
Silvo snorts as he takes the plaque back. “I say good luck with that. But, yeah, it would be nice if we could surprise them.”
I purse my lips. “I’ll see what I can do. I want to talk to the filmmakers doing the Devils’ tenth anniversary documentary and suggest the inclusion of their plaque unveiling. They’d want the Devils’ reaction to be genuine.”
Silvo points his forefinger at me. “That’ll be a great way to showcase our plaques to the world! Another great idea, Mayor Davies!”
“Thanks,” I say with a laugh as Silvo waves goodbye.
I’ve gotten used to the fact that everyone calls me Mayor Davies, including well-respected septuagenarians who have done so much for the community. Mooners aren’t generally a formal bunch, but when I stepped off the plane after my one weekend in Sydney a year ago, I was greeted by a large crowd carrying signs that said, “Welcome Home, Mayor Davies.” They haven’t stopped calling me that since. Fortunately, I won the election—by a landslide, if I may say so.
I feel it’s a term of endearment just as much as a sign of respect because we’re usually on a first-name basis in this town. We’d even call the Prime Minister of Australia by his first name if he came to visit.
It took me a long time to stop cringing at the memory of me bursting into tears at the support I received that day I came home from Sydney. I was so embarrassed by my blubbering! But the Mooners were so lovely. They even asked when Mason was coming back to visit!
Well, Mason had been visiting me at least twice a week since then, and often staying for the weekends. Occasionally, I visited him in Sydney, but we both preferred for him to come here instead. The poor guy had spent so much money on airfare just to date me!
But all that stopped six months ago. Mason doesn’t visit anymore.
Because…
He’s moved back to Moonstruck Cove and moved in with me!
I bite my lip as I leave the office and head to my car. I’ll be picking him up at my parents. He had dinner with them because I had that late meeting.
It still thrills me how well he’s been getting along with my parents, especially as he’s been working as a farm manager alongside my dad since he moved back. He also insists that he enjoys doing farm chores! It’s a bonus that macadamia is his favourite nut.
Things are going very well between us, and I’m hopeful about our future together. But sometimes, I wonder if he misses the city. He had such a good life in Sydney.
I just love him so much that I want him to stay with me here in Moonstruck Cove forever. A part of me is still afraid that my biggest wish might not come true, because I’d always seen myself as unlucky in love.
Ugh, I don’t want to dwell on that anymore.
Pushing my negative thoughts aside, I go to my car and start heading to my family’s farm. As I pull up at the homestead, I see Mason chatting with my parents on the porch. His easy smile and relaxed posture send a burst of delicious warmth through me. I love seeing him so comfortable with them.
“Hey, you three,” I call out as I get out of the car.
“Hey there, Mayor Davies,” my dad teases, earning a chuckle from Mason.
“Hi, babe,” Mason says, coming up to me and kissing me on the cheek.
“Did you enjoy dinner?” Mum asks. “There are leftovers inside if you’re still hungry.”
“No, thanks. Mason and I are going. It’s pretty late. It’s been a long day.” I don’t want to tell my folks that I’ll be dragging Mason to Lover’s Hill. They know I’ve already taken him there a few times on a full moon.
The Legend of Lover’s Hill is the main tourist attraction of Moonstruck Cove. Every month during the full moon, hordes of visitors come to town. Couples, families and best friends all climb the hill to touch Heart, the heart-shaped rock at the very top, while professing their love for each other. Legend has it that doing so strengthens their bonds.
No one alive knows how the legend started. But despite some Mooners not believing in it, we’re all grateful that our small town is thriving because of the tourism dollars it brings.
As for me, I think there’s some truth to the legend. Why else are people flocking to something that, on the face of it, sounds so ridiculous? It has to have some invisible force that calls people to it.
And I want to take Mason up there again because, even though the place will be packed, it’s a blue moon tonight. How special!
We say goodbye to my parents, and I take Mason’s hand to lead him to the car. “Come on,” I urge.
“What’s the hurry?” He leans to whisper in my ear. “Can’t wait to take me to bed, huh?”
I let out a laugh. “No, we’re going to Lover’s Hill. There’s a blue moon tonight, remember?”
“Do you really want to go when there’s gonna be heaps of people? You already know I love you and our bond is strong—legend or no legend.”
“But it’s a blue moon tonight,” I repeat with a pleading tone. “Besides, I bet we’ll see lots of friends there. And Mooners always love to talk to you. They love listening to your Sydney stories because you tell them so well.”
Mason chuckles. “I should probably do a storytelling hour at Struck and Stuck.”
I grin, already seeing Mason in the spotlight at our local pub. “Hey, that’s a great idea! You’ll be a hit! And it could be a mega-bonding session with you and the other Mooners. Not that you need it. They’ve embraced you like you never left.”
“I shouldn’t have joked about it, Mayor Davies. Don’t you dare make it a thing.”
We get in the car, and I frown. “Can we swap seats?”
“Why?”
“I want to drive.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to climb Lover’s Hill on a blue moon, and you want to go home. I want to keep persuading you while I drive us there.”
Mason sighs. “Okay, we’ll go. Just for you, babe.”
I lean over to place a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, my Romeo.”
He tries to stifle a grin. “Just to let you know, I’ll be expecting a return favour in bed, Juliet.”
“Okay.” I’m more than happy to agree.
We arrive at the foot of Lover’s Hill, and yes, the place is teeming with people. I look at Mason and feel guilty. He’s had a very physical day at the farm today, and he probably just wants to rest. Besides, he’s right. We love each other, and we know it. We don’t need a legend to boost our chances of staying together. That part is solely on us.
“You know,” I say as he switches off the car engine. “Let’s just go home. I see Lover’s Hill, and I see the blue moon. That’s enough.”
Mason shakes his head. “No, we’re already here. Let’s go.” He gets out of the car.
I follow suit, and we hold hands as we follow the trail up the hill. I eye the stream of people leisurely walking up like us. There’s another path, but it’s for buggies, so it’s longer and winding. Hardly anyone uses buggies except those with walking difficulties and council workers who maintain the place.
“Mayor Davies! Mason!”
I stop and see our fifty-something-year-old resident tourism guru hurrying towards us. Cutie rocks cute outfits to match her name, so tonight, she’s wearing a white blouse with a big pink bow in the middle and a matching pink skirt. Strips on her pink sneakers glow while she walks.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Cutie says.
“I thought we should join the crowd to watch the blue moon on top of Lover’s Hill,” I say.
“And, of course, touch Heart,” Mason adds, winking at Cutie.
Cutie cackles. “Of course. Well, there are so many people tonight, but everyone’s being respectful and not holding up the line. But I’m glad you’re here, Tara. There’s a reporter from Sydney up there who’d love to meet you. He wants to write an article about our legend.”
“Oh, sure,” I say readily.
“Why don’t you get on my buggy?” She gestures towards her small vehicle. “I drove it today because my knees were feeling funny. And I’ll call Agatha. She’s managing the people up there touching Heart. I’ll tell her you’re on your way so she can tell the reporter to wait.”
“Okay. What’s this reporter’s name?”
Cutie shrugs. “I forgot already.”
“No worries,” I say with a chuckle. “And thanks for the buggy. We’ll bring it back.”
“Take your time.” Cutie hands Mason her keys.
“Lucky that,” Mason says as we get on Cutie’s buggy.
“I know. See? We’re meant to be here tonight.”
He laughs. “I guess so.”
When we reach the summit, I step off the buggy and take in the breathtaking view before us. The blue moon hangs high in the sky, casting a soft silvery light over the river up ahead, the bay on our right, and the bushland on our left. Up here is the best vantage point to appreciate the peninsula.
I turn to where Heart sits proudly and find a line of people waiting to touch it. But no one is actually doing so right now. Strange. Even stranger is the fact that they’re all looking in my direction.
I glance behind me and only find Mason. Are we attracting attention because we drove up instead of walked?
“Come, babe,” Mason says, taking my hand.
I see Agatha grinning at me, and I let go of Mason’s hand to make a beeline for her.
“Oh, you have to go there!” Agatha points to Heart.
“Where’s the reporter?” I ask.
She shrugs.
I turn to Mason, who’s now standing next to the heart-shaped rock. What’s he doing there? We shouldn’t be jumping the queue.
I rush to him to whisper in his ear that it’s not our turn yet.
But…He suddenly goes down on one knee once I reach him.
“Oh my God,” I gasp, my breathing shallow.
Mason smiles up at me—rather nervously, I think.
“Tara,” he begins, his voice filled with emotion. “You brought light and love into my world in a way I never thought possible. I can’t imagine a day without you by my side, and I don’t want to. So, I wanted to bring you here, under the blue moon, on top of Lover’s Hill, to ask you something.”
Tears prick at my eyes as I look down at him. This isn’t happening, is it? I hope I’m not dreaming.
“Tara Davies, my Juliet,” Mason continues, his eyes locking with mine. “You are my first, my only, my forever love. Will you please marry me?”
The world seems to stand still as he holds out a small black box, revealing a sparkling diamond ring nestled inside. My heart feels like it’s going to burst with joy as I nod vigorously, unable to find my voice.
Then I’m crying. “Yes, Mason, my Romeo. A million times, yes.”
Mason’s face breaks into a radiant smile as he slips the ring onto my finger, his touch sending a delicious shiver down my spine. Then, as one, we touch Heart before sharing a tender kiss to seal our love and commitment to each other.
The cheers and applause from the crowd around us fade away as we hold each other close, surrounded by the magic of the night. And as we stand on Lover’s Hill, the blue moon bathing us in its ethereal light, I can’t help but feel grateful for everything that has brought us here. The struggles, the joys, the tears, the laughter—all of it has led us to this perfect moment.
I pull back from our embrace to look at Mason’s face. “You tricked me,” I say with a chuckle. “I thought you didn’t want to come up here.”
“Well, you’re a very hard woman to surprise. I’m glad I pulled it off with a little help from my friends.”
I glance at the people watching us. “We should get out of the way and let others touch Heart. How about we go home—to bed?” I add in a whisper.
Mason sends me a grin that’s full of promise. “Let’s go.”
But our plan is thwarted as the crowd surrounds us. One by one, Mooners and tourists alike congratulate us on our engagement. Mason and I share loving looks as we graciously accept the well-wishes.
“Congratulations!” Gia says, hugging me fiercely.
My embrace is equally tight. “No, thank you! If you hadn’t gotten that ticket for me to A Musical Night in Masquerade and lent me your dress, Mason and I might have missed our chance.”
Gia shakes her head. “It happened because it was meant to be. Just consider me for one of your bridesmaids spots, will you?”
I chuckle. “As if you have to ask. And by the way, thank you again for asking Theo to persuade his bandmates to come back here for a concert. I’ve never seen the town more excited about an event.”
“No worries,” Gia says with a grin. “Theo’s excited, too. And I can’t wait to take him up here on a full moon. I can’t remember the last time he’s been up here…” Gia blinks, glancing away as if embarrassed.
I hide a sigh. I’ve always wondered if Theo means more to Gia than just being her lifelong best friend. But with that handsome Glowing Devil being such a hit with women around the world, I don’t want to say anything that would poke whatever wound Gia might have about that subject.
The line of people congratulating me and Mason keeps moving. Finally, after I don’t know how long, we are able to leave.
As we descend Lover’s Hill in Cutie’s buggy, I lean my head on Mason’s shoulder, loving the weight of the diamond ring on my finger. I know that this is just the beginning of our journey together—a journey filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.
“I hope you’re not tired, Juliet,” Mason says. “I’m holding you to your promise.”
“Are you kidding me?” I say teasingly. “I’m never tired of sex with you. In fact, if we’re not out in public, I’ll give you a blow job right now.”
Mason gasps. “Mayor Davies! Did you hear what just came out of your mouth?” He stops the buggy, looking around.
I tap his arm, giggling. “Keep driving so we can go home.”
“What? You don’t want me to lick your pussy somewhere out here?”
My heart starts pounding. Feeling uncharacteristically wanton after his proposal, I look into his eyes. “We’re too exposed here. How about we drive somewhere more secluded?”
And we did.
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T hank you for reading One Weekend in Sydney ! If you enjoyed this book, I’d appreciate it so much if you would leave a review wherever possible.