Epilogue
Eliza stood in the doorway of the vineyard’s stone barn, feeling exhausted but happy, watching Max and Daisy dance to the final song of the night.
‘I can’t believe I actually pulled it off,’ she murmured to herself, feeling completely and utterly ecstatic.
‘Of course you pulled it off,’ came Luke’s voice from behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. ‘I’m still amazed you managed a celebrity wedding and planned the Harrington gala at the same time. You were fielding calls like a pro.’
‘That’s me, a pro through and through. I still can’t quite believe Max and Daisy managed to keep this whole thing a secret, though. Not a single paparazzi or social media leak.’
‘That’s because you had all the farmers in Farmington patrolling the perimeter.’ Luke laughed. ‘I think Dan, sorry, code name “Vintage Viper” was disappointed he didn’t get to tackle any photographers to the ground, though.’
‘Well, with your dad as “Eagle One” and you as “Mountain Lion”, I don’t think anyone was going to dare to try to get in.
’ Eliza giggled. ‘Marjorie said Dan had been practising his citizen’s arrest speech for weeks.
Speaking of which, have you seen those two?
They seem to have become completely inseparable these days. ’
Luke gestured toward a corner where Marjorie and Dan were sharing a slice of wedding cake, their heads bent close together in conversation.
‘Look at them, Farmington’s newest power couple.
They keep pretending they’re chatting about the village committee – we’re going to have to break the news to them at some point that we all know otherwise. ’
Eliza watched them with utter delight. ‘It’s so sweet, isn’t it? I just adore that love can happen at any age, when you least expect it. Even when you think you’ve got your life completely figured out.’
Vivi suddenly appeared beside them, breathless and glowing with excitement.
‘Darling! The photographer wants a few shots of you with Max and Daisy before they leave. And Jean Pierre is practically floating – three major celebrities have already enquired about the heritage sparkling tonight. It’s been a roaring success! ’
‘Oh, I’m thrilled!’ Eliza said, though she made no move to leave Luke’s arms just yet. ‘I’ll come over in just a minute.’
Vivi winked knowingly. ‘Take your time.’
‘You know,’ she said thoughtfully, ‘six months ago, if someone had told me I’d be living in a village, planning celebrity weddings, and falling for a farmer who owns half the countryside, I’d have laughed them out of the room.’
Luke raised an eyebrow. ‘Falling for, huh? That’s quite the admission from someone who drove back to London so many times in the first month.’
‘Maybe I was just testing my resolve,’ Eliza protested with a laugh. ‘Anyway, I better go and deal with Max and Daisy. I’ll be back in a minute.’
As Eliza crossed the barn to go and deal with the last of the wedding admin, she caught sight of a blushing and overexcited Agatha receiving compliments from a famous chef.
Her sister had totally outdone herself, creating a menu that was both rustic and sophisticated – exactly what Max and Daisy had wanted. And it had been delicious.
‘There she is!’ Max called, as Eliza approached. ‘The woman who made all this possible.’
Daisy, radiant in her vintage-inspired gown, pulled Eliza into a tight hug. ‘I can’t thank you enough. It was beyond perfect – exactly what we wanted. You are a genius!’
‘Well, I’m just so glad everything came together in time,’ Eliza said, genuinely thrilled that they were so pleased. ‘Though I have to admit, when that rain shower hit during the ceremony, I nearly had a heart attack.’
‘Are you kidding? The yellow umbrellas were magical!’ Daisy exclaimed. ‘Everyone’s saying it was planned – like some kind of artistic statement. The photos look incredible.’
Max nodded in agreement. ‘Our manager has already called twice asking who designed the “umbrella concept”. He wants to use it for our next tour visuals.’
Eliza laughed. ‘Sometimes the best moments are the unplanned ones.’
After posing for a few photos, Eliza watched as Max and Daisy said their goodbyes, slipping away to a waiting car that would whisk them off to their honeymoon destination – another secret Eliza had helped orchestrate.
Then, as the last of the guests began to leave, she found herself standing alone in the middle of the barn, taking it all in.
The flowers, the twinkling lights, the remnants of the most incredible celebration – it was everything she’d envisioned and more.
And she had done it. Just then her phone buzzed with a message from Julian: ‘Harrington gala was a triumph. Three new clients already asking for you. Call me tomorrow.’
She smiled, tucking the phone back into her pocket. Tonight belonged to this moment, that could wait.
‘Quite the night,’ Luke said, appearing beside her with two glasses of Jean Pierre’s sparkling. ‘I think we can say you’ve officially conquered Farmington.’
‘Not conquered,’ Eliza corrected, accepting the glass with an enormous grin. ‘Maybe I’ve just found my place.’
‘So,’ Luke said, ‘now that you’ve successfully launched your business, paid off your debts, and become Farmington’s resident celebrity wedding planner, what’s next?’
Eliza took a sip of her drink. ‘Well, I’ve been thinking about that. Julian’s offered me three more high-profile events.’
‘So the big city beckons again?’ Luke’s tone was light, but Eliza could hear the worry underneath.
She turned to face him fully. ‘Actually, I was thinking I might need a more permanent base here. My time at Willow Tree Cottage has been great, but now I need somewhere that can accommodate a growing business, and a growing puppy.’ She paused, watching his expression carefully.
‘I’d need somewhere with space for an office, maybe a consultation area for clients.
Somewhere I could really put down roots. Do you know anywhere?’
Luke’s eyes lit up, though he tried to maintain a casual demeanour. ‘I might know a place. It’s a cabin, but it’s in pretty good nick. There’s plenty of room for an office, and acres of land for a certain energetic puppy to run around.’
‘Hmm,’ Eliza pretended to consider, her heart racing. ‘Would this cabin happen to come with a lake for swimming? And possibly a farmer who makes excellent coffee?’
‘As a matter of fact, it does. The farmer is quite attached to the place, though. Wouldn’t be looking to rent it out.’
‘Oh,’ Eliza said, feigning disappointment while her pulse quickened. ‘That’s a shame. I’m not sure that would work for me. I was looking for a more permanent arrangement.’
Luke looked her, a grin engulfing his face. ‘What kind of permanent arrangement did you have in mind?’
‘Well,’ Eliza said, stepping closer until there was barely any space between them, ‘I was thinking something along the lines of a partnership. The farmer gets a sexy, business-savvy partner who can help continue to expand Film on the Farm. And I get a beautiful home, a hot man, and . . .’ she paused, looking up into his green eyes ‘. . . someone who makes my heart do a fluttery thing every time I look at him.’
‘That sounds like quite the deal,’ Luke murmured, his thumb tracing circles on the small of her back.
‘Though I should warn you, the farmer also comes with some baggage. He’s often involved in village drama, spends a lot of time swimming half naked in cold water, and has an annoying habit of generally being right about things. ’
Eliza laughed, rising up on her toes to brush her lips against his.
‘I think I can handle a little baggage. Besides, I come with plenty of my own – a mountain of debt that’s finally manageable, a tendency to make dramatic midnight drives, and what appears to be an alarming addiction to village gossip. ’
‘I’d say it’s a perfect match, then,’ Luke whispered, taking her in his arms to kiss her.
As if on cue, a small bark echoed from outside the barn. Through the open doors, the puppy bounded towards them, a golden blur of excitement, as she launched herself at Eliza’s legs.
‘Looks like someone can’t wait to go home,’ Luke said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Eliza scooped up the delicious bundle of fur, laughing as the puppy covered her face with kisses. ‘What do you think, Rebound, ready to explore your new home?’
‘Rebound?’ Luke raised an eyebrow, laughing as he scratched behind the puppy’s ears. ‘I suppose it’s quite a fitting name for all of us.’
As they walked out of the barn together, Rebound trotting happily at their feet, Eliza felt a profound sense of contentment settle over her. Tomorrow she’d wake up in Luke’s bed, their bed, with a future that felt bright with possibility.
‘You know what the best part is?’ she said, slipping her hand into Luke’s as they made their way toward his truck.
‘What’s that?’
‘I finally stopped running, and ended up exactly where I needed to be.’