Amelia
Chapter Twenty-Three
Amelia
Dawn crept across Pine Haven’s peaks, painting them the same gold as the ring that still felt new on my finger. From Mom’s office—my office now—tiny rainbows danced across pine walls as morning light caught the diamond’s facets.
“Still can’t believe it’s real?” I say to myself.
My thumb traced the ring’s unfamiliar weight, startling me with each sunrise. The paper beneath my other hand held Mom’s last letter, discovered this morning while Katherine and I sorted through old desk drawers, leaving teardrops on aged wood.
‘My dearest Amelia,’ Mom’s familiar loops and swirls blurred slightly as I read again. ‘When you read this, you’ll have found your path. Trust it. Love isn’t just about romance but building something greater than yourself. About finding someone who makes your dreams bigger.’
“She knew.” The words misted in the cool morning air. “Somehow, she knew you’d be part of this.”
Outside my window, Pine Haven stirred awake. Sunlight gleamed off the new environmental education center’s windows, while children’s laughter floated up from the baseball fields where Van’s morning clinics had already begun. Every path was filled with people gathering for the grand reopening, our community coming together one more time.
“There you are.” Hunter’s voice warmed the doorway, his suit making my heart skip just like that desperate morning months ago when he’d arrived to help save Pine Haven.
The letter crinkled as my fingers found it in my pocket. “Almost.”
His steps whispered across the carpet as he reached me, understanding softening his features. “Take your time. Though Claire might explode if we delay the ceremony. She’s already rearranged the flowers three times.”
“Michael’s probably not helping her focus.” The memory of their recent stolen glances tugged my lips upward.
“Speaking of focus.” Hunter’s arms slipped around my waist, his kiss soft but full of promise. The familiar scent of his cologne wrapped around us. “You look beautiful.”
My fingers smoothed his lapel. “Careful. You’ll wrinkle my dress.”
“Worth it.”
A pointed throat-clearing made us jump—Taylor in the doorway, eyes dancing. “If you two are quite finished, we have a resort to open.”
We followed her downstairs, where our families waited. Dad and Katherine stood close, pride radiating as they held Chad. Michael and Claire’s shoulders brushed as they reviewed the event schedules, both pretending the contact was accidental.
Excitement hummed through the lobby as I approached the podium. Every seat held a familiar face—Marie’s flour-dusted apron from morning baking, Tom Parker’s security team standing alert but smiling, and local families who’d believed in us through every change.
“Welcome.” My voice carried clear and strong. “To Pine Haven’s next chapter.”
The speech flowed naturally—it was about community and conservation, honoring the past while building the future, two families who’d fought to protect something precious, and a community that never stopped believing.
“Today we celebrate more than a resort.” The words came straight from my heart. “We celebrate home. Family. The dreams we build together.”
Hunter’s hand steadied mine on the ribbon, his warmth grounding me as metal whispered through silk. Cheers erupted as doors opened to reveal Pine Haven’s transformation—interactive displays in the education center, expanded sports facilities, and carefully preserved historical features woven through modern amenities.
Mr. Richardson approached through the dispersing crowd, his glasses catching the morning light. His expression had transformed since that day ninety days ago when we submitted our recovery plan—doubt replaced by something warmer.
“Ms. Horton.” His handshake was firm. “Or should I say, soon-to-be Mrs. Miller?”
“That thirty-day ultimatum helped make that happen,” I remembered those desperate weeks that had brought Hunter and me together. “Though I doubt you planned on playing matchmaker.”
“About those thirty days.” The envelope he withdrew bore the bank’s letterhead, but this time it didn’t make my stomach clench. “The board met yesterday. They reviewed everything you’ve accomplished since submitting your recovery plan three months ago.”
The envelope crackled between my fingers, paper catching on suddenly damp skin as I opened the seal. Inside lay not a warning notice but full refinancing approval, the terms better than we’d dared hope.
“The conservation area designation alone would have secured it,” he nodded toward the new educational center. “But combined with the Historical Trust status, community investment, and the Catch the Dream Foundation partnership...” Emotion roughened his voice as he adjusted his glasses. “You didn’t just save Pine Haven, Amelia. You transformed it.”
“We did.” I saw Hunter across the room, standing near the training facility displays with Van. “All of us.”
“Your mother,” Richardson tucked his glasses away, voice softening, “she always believed in Pine Haven’s potential. But what you’ve built here in these past three months?” He gestured to the life pulsing around us. “This is beyond even her dreams.”
Heat built behind my eyes as I rejoined Hunter, the approval letter warm in my pocket.
“Everything okay?” His hand found the small of my back, steadying.
“Better than okay.” I watched his eyes light up as he read the letter. “Remember that first morning in my office? When you said thirty days was plenty of time?”
“I remember being absolutely terrified.” He drew me closer, warmth spreading where we touched. “But not showing it because you needed me to be sure.”
“And now here we are, less than six months later...”
“Engaged.” His smile crinkled the corners of his eyes.
“Solvent.” I poked his chest gently.
“Both.” His lips brushed my temple. “Everything we planned that first month, and so much more we never imagined.”
The day flowed past in tours and congratulations, each moment marking our journey from that desperate morning months ago. Children crowded interactive displays showing the valley’s ecological history while Van’s demonstrations drew cheers from the new training fields. Taylor’s voice carried as she explained youth programs to interested parents.
My heart swelled at glimpses caught between moments—Michael showing Claire historical photographs, her fingers lingering on his arm as he pointed out our mothers in old festival shots. Dad and Tom Parker led security tours, pride evident in every gesture. Katherine’s natural warmth turned guests into family as she guided hospitality groups.
“Look at this!” Claire appeared, her tablet glowing with social media responses. “The renovation reveals are overwhelming. Between the conservation designation and the Historical Trust status...”
“Speaking of status.” The bank letter crackled as I showed her. Her squeal drew every eye.
“Does this mean what I think?” Her hug was fierce before she jumped back, smoothing my dress. “Sorry! Just... after all those late nights working on the recovery plan...”
“All those coffee runs and strategy sessions paid off.” I watched her gaze drift to Michael, who stood charming potential corporate retreat clients. “In more ways than one.”
Evening settled over Pine Haven like a soft blanket, crowds melting away until only starlight and quiet celebration remained. Fairy lights transformed the grounds while music drifted from the new pavilion. Couples swayed beneath historic beams supporting modern fixtures—the perfect balance we’d promised the Historical Trust board two months ago.
“May I have this dance?” Hunter’s breath warmed my ear.
He drew me to the floor as familiar notes filled the air—the same song from that first night in the lounge when thirty days felt like a death sentence instead of a beginning.
“Happy?” His voice rumbled against my cheek.
“More than I dreamed possible.” I found his eyes in the soft light, seeing our whole journey reflected there. “A few months ago, I thought I was losing everything. Now...”
“Now you’re stuck with me.” His teasing pulled a laugh from me. “Though someone was pretty resistant to my help at first.”
“You were insufferably confident.”
“I was right, though.” Tenderness softened his smile. “About Pine Haven. About us.”
Through the main building’s windows, movement caught my eye. Our families were still celebrating inside—Katherine dancing clumsily with Chad while Taylor and Van filmed. Dad and Tom Parker are reviewing security one last time; old habits are dying hard. Claire showed Michael something on her camera that painted color high on his cheeks.
“Look how far we’ve come.” The words caught in my throat. “All of us.”
Later, after the music softened to whispers, Hunter and I walked the grounds together. Colors rippled across the night sky like nature’s celebration, green and purple waves dancing over everything we’d built.
“Look.” Hunter nodded toward our deck where Michael and Claire sat close, heads bent over the day’s photos. Her laugh rode the evening breeze, drawing an answering smile I hadn’t seen from my brother since before Mom died.
“Some stories are just beginning,” I remembered their first awkward coffee run during those intense weeks of bank presentations.
“Speaking of beginnings...” Hunter guided me toward where the conservation area would start, trailhead signs ready for tomorrow’s first tours. “Your mother’s dream made real.”
“Our dream now.” My fingers traced the educational placard featuring our mothers’ research while the bank’s approval letter crinkled in my pocket, reminding me how close we’d come to losing everything. “Who would have thought a thirty-day ultimatum would lead to this?”
His kiss tasted of certainty. “I knew.”
“Liar.” I laughed against his lips. “You were terrified.”
“Terrified, yes. But sure about you.” His arms tightened, warming me against the evening’s chill. “About us.”
Above, lights painted the sky in waves of color. Below, Pine Haven glowed with new life—not just saved but transformed. And here, wrapped in Hunter’s arms, everything aligned.
Mom’s final letter had been right. Love wasn’t just about romance but building something greater, about finding someone who made your dreams bigger.
It was about family and community, protecting what mattered while daring to grow.
It was about saying yes to forever, knowing the best stories never really end.
They just keep growing, like our love.
Like us.
Evergreen.