Epilogue
Missy
The bell above the bakery door chimed nonstop. The sound was like a heartbeat that I hadn’t realized I’d missed for the past week. Every table both inside and outside the bakery was full, and the line at the countertop stretched out the doors.
Laughter layered over the low hum of conversation in the room, warming me.
Cade sat beside me at the table in the center of the room. Large bright balloons and flowers surrounded him. He had a pillow tucked behind his back and a smile on his face. He didn’t look like a man who had very nearly scared the life out of me less than a week ago.
He had been discharged from the hospital yesterday and absolutely not cleared to do anything except sit, eat, and accept the fact that everyone in town wanted to stare at him like he was some sort of miracle.
He shifted closer to me and said in a low tone, “You know, if I’d realized getting run off a cliff would result in this many people coming into the bakery, I might’ve done it sooner. It’s damn good for business.”
I snorted into my coffee. “Don’t get any ideas. Once is all I can handle.”
Max stood near the counter and filled in a few stragglers who’d missed the update earlier. No one wanted rumors. Not after everything that had happened. They wanted the truth, clean and simple and straight from our mouths.
So we gave it to them the morning after Cade was released. We figured this was the simplest way.
The police had confirmed within hours of that last phone call that our father had boarded a flight to Italy. He’d assumed distance would equal safety. He hadn’t counted on his son recording his confession. Or all of the other evidence against him.
The paint on the rental car he’d used, which he’d returned damaged, matched the paint that had been transferred to Cade’s truck.
Also, the tire marks had been consistent with those on the road at the curve.
Once the footage from the nearby traffic cameras was enhanced and the rental records subpoenaed, the story locked into place.
An official state warrant had been issued, along with an international warrant.
Levi hadn’t fared much better. He confessed quickly to the break-ins and destruction once he was brought in.
Since all the damage had been over the legal limit to be charged for destruction of property, he would most likely spend time behind bars instead of just paying fines and fees.
Not even his skills as a lawyer could get him out of being locked up.
After my father fled, Levi realized just how alone he was. His father hadn’t stepped in to protect him after finding out what he had done to his business and about the agreements he’d made behind their back.
The rumors were true. Since Levi had taken over their family law firm, it had been circling the drain. Not only had he made bad investments, but there were several investigations into bad practices.
Levi had been desperate, and desperation had made him reckless. His parents cut him loose the moment his confession was signed.
They sold the law firm to an old partner at a slim profit, just enough for them to walk away without bankruptcy, and left town quietly, their name suddenly meaningless. Their son abandoned to fend for himself.
As for my parents’ business…
That part surprised everyone.
Once Gerald fled the country, the court froze his assets.
Every account. Every share. His ownership stake in Sharper Image Dance Company was locked in legal limbo, inaccessible, while he remained a fugitive.
In the meantime, a temporary conservator was appointed to oversee his interests, strictly to prevent damage, not to benefit him.
My mother didn’t hesitate either.
She renegotiated the divorce settlement immediately, severing every remaining tie she could with my father. When she could finally gain control of Dad’s shares, she planned on selling them to Max.
With my dad’s shares still frozen and my mother’s officially transferred, Max had become the acting majority owner by default. With full operational control granted by the court until Gerald’s case was resolved, Max was now the director of Sharper Image.
It wasn’t how any of us imagined it would happen.
But it was done.
Max caught my eye from across the room and lifted his cup in a small salute. Not triumph. Not victory.
Relief.
Cade squeezed my hand under the table. When I looked at him, really looked, there were still shadows under his eyes, bruises fading along his jaw, stitches hidden beneath his hairline.
“I should probably say something inspirational,” he murmured, motioning to the crowded room.
“You absolutely should not. You’re still on the sauce,” I joked. “Which is why you can’t drive that shiny new truck sitting out there.” I motioned to the new beauty Max had picked up less than an hour ago for us, thanks to the insurance company’s payout.
He grinned as he looked at it. “She’s a beauty.”
Suddenly, Ashley clinked a spoon against a glass. “Okay, okay. Before Missy starts crying again, because she will, I’d like to formally declare this bakery unbreakable.”
Cheers erupted.
I swallowed hard, emotion pressing tight against my ribs. Being surrounded by this much love, I knew I had to give some of it back. I stood up and got everyone’s attention.
The room grew quiet.
“I just want to say…” My voice wobbled, then steadied.
“This place exists because of you. Every single one of you standing here now. You showed up when things were hard. When it grew scary. When I didn’t know if I could keep going.
” I looked down at Cade. “When we didn’t know if we could keep going.
Some of you have stayed through every moment of my life.
” I lifted his hand in mine. His expression softened in that way that still undid me.
“We’re never closing,” I finished. “We’re not letting anyone else decide our future for us. ”
The applause that followed felt like a wave of warmth instead of noise.
Later, when the crowd thinned and the bell finally stopped ringing constantly, Cade leaned over and kissed my temple.
“Hey,” he said quietly. “You never answered me, you know.”
I smiled, tears burning the backs of my eyes again, because apparently that was just my thing now. “I did. Eventually. I love you,” I said. “I always have.”
“I love you too, but I didn’t mean that.”
My eyebrows shot up. “What then?”
“You, me, the long game. I meant it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He nodded and suddenly a large pink cupcake was set before me.
I glanced over to see Meredith stepping back and smiling at me.
Turning, I noticed that on top of the frosting sat a beautiful white gold diamond ring.
I gasped lightly. “I would get down on one knee, but I’m not sure I would make it back up, so…
” He shifted until we were face to face.
“Melissa Rosemary Sharpe, Missy.” He smiled.
“I’ve spent every day of my life loving you.
I want to spend the rest of every day of my life doing the same. Marry me?”
“Yes,” I said quickly, without hesitation this time. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, holding him as tight as I could without hurting him.
Everyone around us cheered.