Epilogue
“ G ood morning, Love Beach!” The crowd cheers as Sarah welcomes everyone. “Thank you all for coming out so early and celebrating with us today!”
The whole town is down on the Great Lawn. It feels so good to have the support from everyone, knowing they nominated us as this year's recipient has been a great reward to the department. My guys are always on point with the town, showing up and helping in every way so it felt good to get that recognition.
“We have big news that we can’t wait to share but first, let’s give out some money!”
The town cheers and so do my guys. I smirk and cross my arms over my chest as they jump around with the crowd. I know their enthusiasm for today has a bit more to do with just receiving a check.
I let them in on a little secret that is about to become more than just town gossip.
“Chief Donnelly? Can you and your guys come to the stage please?”
We move as a unit to the front and climb the steps. I give a quick kiss to Madeline as I take my spot next to Sarah and the crowd oohs. She’s holding another large check with the total amount hidden from view.
“Firstly, I want to thank Chief Donnelly for leading one of the best fire departments around. He’s been an incredible leader and someone that not only his guys, but the town looks up to. He had big shoes to fill following Chief Bill Baylor but he stepped in seamlessly and we can't thank you all enough for what you do to keep us safe.” The crowd whistles and claps. “This is just a small token of our appreciation but we are so incredibly happy to be able to gift the Love Beach Fire Department a check for fifty thousand dollars!”
My heart thunders in my chest because this is a huge amount coming from this small town. And it can do so much good for the department. Madeline turns the check around to show the crowd and everyone goes wild. The guys are jumping up and down and high fiving each other. Sarah hugs me and hands me the microphone. I have to wait a moment to collect myself and also let the crowd die down to make sure they hear what I have to say.
“This is truly amazing and there’s no way we could thank you all for this. It will do so much good for us, between training and equipment, the possibilities are endless. And we want to invest it right back into keeping Love Beach safe. Thank you!”
Sarah takes the mic back. “And we have more big news to share with you all!” The guys run to the back of the stage and roll out the giant screen and projector quickly turning it on and getting things moving. The first image to pop up is the Love Beach hospital logo which is Sarah’s cue to continue. “Last night we had an update to the website but there was an error. We apologize to anyone who may have seen it and was concerned about the changes.”
Madeline stands next to me and squeezes my hand. I squeeze back and smile.
“But with one quick phone call, we were able to get things sorted.” She pauses and looks at me. “Isn't that right, Chief?”
My lips roll in and I can’t contain my smile as I step forward and take the mic from Sarah again. I see Madeline watch me with questions in her eyes as my guys stand on the other side of the screen.
“That’s right. It was actually a little startling to me until I was able to take a step back and see things clearly. You see, a few years back I met the woman of my dreams. And she quickly taught me that life can change in an instant. I either have to learn to roll with it or end up bruised and battered from fighting it. She taught me it’s okay to be scared, and though I deem myself a fearless firefighter, when it came to her? She scared the hell out of me.”
I turn to Maddie and she stands like a deer in headlights watching me. I reach my hand out to her and she comes closer. “She also taught me that actions are greater than words, though we need words, too.” She chuckles and I brush the hair from her shoulder. “She taught me that a home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling but having that feeling with the right one means everything.”
“The hospital website is now up and running with the correct positions; however, I would direct your attention to the screen behind me.” I nod to the guys and they flip to the next slide. I step back from Madeline and the crowd gasps collectively and begins to cheer. When Madeline reads the screen she turns abruptly to me, but I’m already on one knee. She screams and covers her mouth, eyes wide.
“Don’t cry. I didn’t even ask yet,” I tease her and reach into my pocket. Maddox has the good sense to come over and hold the mic for me while I reach for her with my other hand. “Madeline Torre, you crashed into my world four years ago and I never got over you. I knew you were meant to be mine from that first day but we just needed time to catch up with us.” I slide the ring on her finger. “That time is here. Would you make me the happiest guy in Love Beach and be my wife?”
“Yes!” she yells out without needing the microphone and the town cheers. I stand and wrap her in my arms while everyone jumps in close with us, congratulating and hugging us. As they break apart from us I still hold her close.
“Do you know I remember the exact moment I fell in love with you?”
“You do?” She smiles and wipes at her tears. “When was it?”
“It was the day of your birthday at the firehouse. You were wearing a yellow sundress, your hair was down and when Bill and Candee introduced you to me, I could hardly get a word out.”
She laughs. “I do remember that. You sounded like a caveman.” She mimics my voice. “Hi. Ryan. Welcome.”
I tickle her sides and she wraps herself closer to me. “You took my breath away. It had never happened before and I told Bill as Candee walked away with you, that I was going to marry you.”
Her eyes get wide. “You did? I never knew that.”
“It’s because he never told Candee.” We snicker together. “He knew I was serious and he liked to remind me from time to time while you were gone. He was always telling me to hold onto that memory because if I had enough nerve to say it out loud that day, then it was my truth and it would happen.”
“I love that you told me that. And I can’t wait for our truth to become reality.”
Moving to this town years ago I had no idea who I’d find or how important they’d become to me.
Bill and Candee Baylor made me feel at home instantly. They took me in as part of their family. Bill trained me in the fire department, as his equal and then his replacement. I in turn brought in his son, Maddox. I watched as he turned from the punk kid he was into the stand up, doting man to his beautiful fiancé, Marigold. I watched as Bill and Candee’s daughter Reece found her own way in the world, not the one they tried to carve out for her. She stood her ground, as a true Baylor would and forged her own happiness, marrying the love of her life, Isaac.
I watched as Jace Sullivan entered the fire department as a young timid kid. With the right direction and the right woman, he’s matured into someone I am proud to fight fires beside. The friends that are an arms length away, Vienna, Wells, Saige and Bridger …they’ve all become important parts of my life and have taught me so much.
I’d say a town is just a place until you make it your place. Love Beach has a special place in my heart. It’s been my place since I moved here, but it became my home the moment Madeline arrived.
The End
Have you met Maddox Baylor? Want to know more about the lighthouse and how it rained stars? Watch him fight against the love he has for Marigold James in Summer with a Fireman
Then catch up with Jace Sullivan in Merry with a Probie and watch as the shy guy disappears when it’s just him and Poppy James in the room! Find out just how bad that dressed ripped in half!