Epilogue
Three Years Later
“Morning, wife.”
Cretia looked up from the phone in her hands as Finn strolled into the living room, his hair standing up on one side and a few extra days on his five o’clock shadow. He still made her heart pound and her stomach take a lazy barrel roll. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”
He leaned across the arm of the cozy couch and hovered over her for a moment before pressing his minty lips to hers.
“I thought you were going to sleep the whole day,” she teased as Joe Jr. nestled closer to her, his head on her lap.
“I was thinking about it. You know, I need my beauty rest.” He ran a hand over his ruffled hair with a grin. “Ruby and Jack only do morning chores one day a week, so I’ve got to take advantage of it. But the bed got cold without you.” His eyes filled with a heat stronger than fire, and she lifted her lips for another kiss. Finn graciously obliged.
Saturdays had become her favorite day of the week, not because it was the weekend—the work on the farm never ended—but because Finn had hired Ruby, a retired schoolteacher, and Jack to handle the morning chores each week. More often than not, Jack stuck around to play with the dogs, learning everything that Finn could teach him about training the big guys.
But Saturday mornings were for her and Finn. They were for sleeping late and snuggling side by side. They were for long sips of coffee and lazy smiles. They were for enjoying their home, which was full of the most important things—love, hope, and laughter.
And they were for long moments of gratitude for a life so much richer than she’d ever dreamed. No exotic destination or luxury hotel could compare to the joy of building a life with the one she loved.
In the end, she hadn’t really sacrificed much of anything. Sure, her day-to-day had shifted some. She spent more time creating videos of animals than she did jetting off to new locations—though Finn had joined her on a travel adventure since they had gotten married two and a half years before. He’d suggested running with the bulls. She’d suggested a relaxing beach. They’d compromised and gone to Fiji.
Now she put her skills to use growing Chaffey’s social media channels—one dedicated to the dogs and one for Finn’s Farm, which drew hundreds of visitors each summer for the chance to pet the animals, learn about caring for them, and even bottle-feed baby goats.
The internet couldn’t get enough of the little cuties.
If she were honest, neither could she. There were six kids this year and bound to be more next year, as she and Finn had driven to a farm near the West Point Lighthouse to pick up a few more goats in need of a home only the week before. It was a good thing their online income had more than covered the cost of the new addition to the barn. At the rate that Finn brought in new strays, they were going to need even more space soon. A lovely problem to have.
At least they’d have some more help this summer. It wasn’t officially a camp yet, but four local children were lined up to come every weekday for two weeks beginning on Monday. Jack would teach them how to feed the animals and brush their coats and care for their needs. They’d play with the dogs and socialize Bella’s latest litter—all girls, all named after PEI wildflowers.
This year was an experiment. But several moms at church had already asked her if their kids could participate next summer.
“What are you working on?” Finn asked as he settled onto the arm of the couch and looked over her shoulder.
“The St. John’s Rescue team sent over a video of Tater at work this week. I was editing it for our channel.” She held up her screen, and Finn smiled as the big gray dog jumped into the water off the Newfoundland coast and swam straight for a child struggling to keep his head above the water. Tater reached him within seconds, and the kid hung on to a special vest as he was towed back to shore and safety.
“Good boy,” Finn muttered. He probably didn’t even know he said it, the encouragement was so ingrained in him. One of the things she liked best about him.
Running her hand across his knee, she smiled. “Remind you of another harbor and another rescue?”
“Best day of my life.”
“I’m sure.” She giggled. “I was sopping wet and covered you in harbor water.”
“If I hadn’t bumped you into the harbor, I never would have met you. And you never would have stayed. And I never would have known how great my life could be.” He leaned in and pressed his lips gently to her forehead. His voice dropped low as he whispered, “Like I said, best day of my life.”
“And you really would have jumped in after me if Joe hadn’t been there?”
“One hundred percent.” Finn ruffled the big dog’s ears, which garnered a deep woof of appreciation. “But I’m glad he was.”
“Me too, boy. You were a pretty good matchmaker.”
Joe looked up at her with enormous eyes, his tongue lolling out the front of his mouth, then rested his head back on her lap, his ear pressed to her stomach. Smoothing her hand over his head and down his back, she let out a soft sigh. He’d been extra clingy the last few weeks—and now she knew why—but she didn’t mind his warmth on a cool spring morning.
“Have you already fed him?”
She nodded. “But he hasn’t had a treat.”
Joe’s whole body jerked up, and he jumped to the floor, his head swinging between them as though asking who would be providing the promised snack.
Finn pushed himself off the couch and nodded toward the kitchen, which still smelled of the pine-scented cleaner he’d used to mop the floor the day before. “Come on, Joe. I guess you’ve earned it.” As he trotted toward the kitchen, he looked over his shoulder. “Can I make you a cup of coffee?”
Cretia paused, pressing a hand to her stomach. “I’m not sure.”
“Are you feeling okay?” Worry laced his voice. “You said Julia Mae was sick when you went over to the Red Door a couple days ago. You think you picked something up?”
She couldn’t fight a smile. “No. I don’t think it’s contagious. I’m just not sure if I’m supposed to.”
A cupboard door banged closed. “Supposed to what?”
“Drink coffee.”
“Why wouldn’t you...?”
Her insides did a little jig—not like they had as she’d leaned over the toilet that morning and the one before. This was a happy dance as Finn marched back into the living room and stood before her, eyes wide and unblinking, Joe at his side and clearly confused as to why he hadn’t yet gotten his treat.
“You said you weren’t sure if you were ready to try.”
With a giggle, she shook her head. “I don’t think it matters.”
“So, you’re...?”
She nodded, and he fell to his knees in front of her, resting his forehead on her legs, eyes pinched closed.
“Finn? Are you all right?” Combing her fingers through his hair, she tried to soothe the lines at the corners of his eyes. “I thought you’d be happy.”
“I’m so far beyond happy. I can’t even—There are no—I don’t know how to—” He sighed heavily before taking a deep breath and opening his glassy eyes.
“Finn.” She cupped his cheek, her voice trembling with unexpected nerves. “Talk to me.”
He lifted his head, biting his lips for a moment until a smile finally broke free, full and bright and as wide as the island. “Happy? That’s not half of it.” He grabbed her hands and pressed them to his trembling lips. “I love you so much, and I can’t wait to share our life with our kids.”
“Well, just one kid for now. I’m not pulling a Bella or anything.”
“Fine. Our kid . Our kid. I’ve dreamed of building something worth passing along to him. And he’s going to love this land and these animals and our life.” He swallowed thickly.
“It could be a girl, you know.”
He chuckled, then sobered slightly. “Are you happy?”
“Me?” She chewed on her lip for a moment. “Well, the morning sickness isn’t great so far. But the idea of starting a family with you? That’s pretty amazing.”
“Are you glad you gave it up? The travel and the nomadic life? Living out of a suitcase and always on the move? Do you feel like you settled for this life?”
She scooted to the edge of the couch cushion and cupped her hands around his face, staring right into his eyes. “Finn Chaffey, when I met you, I thought home was a place to store junk, just a roof over stuff . But a home isn’t a building or a location. It’s the people you love. And the only thing I had to give up to find my home was my fear. I would choose that over and over again.” Pressing her lips against his, she whispered, “I love you. And I want this life with you. Forever. For always.”
He wrapped her up in his strong embrace and whispered the same to her.
Forever. For always.