Epilogue
One year later
Kaiah held her breath while she stood with Reid, Piper, and George on the pier by the lighthouse and listened to Mayor Whittington
give the opening remarks for the Second Annual Light the Dark Festival.
“I’m excited to share the new seal for Coral Cove,” Mayor Whittington announced. “We’ve added our beloved lighthouse to it.”
She held up an updated Welcome to Coral Cove sign featuring the lighthouse and a seascape. The massive crowd cheered.
“And now, everyone, join me as we Light the Dark for Coral Cove!” she said before white lights lit up the outline of the lighthouse
and the lamp shone brightly into the dark night.
Just then a whoosh was followed by a boom as colorful fireworks lit up the sky.
Piper sat on the ground beside George and rubbed his back while holding his leash. “You don’t need to be afraid, George. The fireworks won’t hurt you.”
Kaiah and Reid shared a smile.
The past year had flown by at lightning speed. After Kaiah and Reid reconciled, she signed a lease to rent the Flamingo’s
Nest. She went back to New York to pack up her things and to formally end her apartment lease. Then she moved into the pink
house and continued writing travel stories as a freelancer in between her part-time stint writing for the local paper. She
was grateful Reid and Piper traveled with her on assignments, and she enjoyed their time together on the road—on an airboat
tour gliding over a Florida swamp, flying over crop circles in Kansas, and riding an Amtrak train across the Rockies. Kaiah
couldn’t wait to take them on more trips soon.
Kaiah was also excited to learn that the first festival had raised enough money not only to renovate the school but also to
refurbish the lighthouse. The Coral Cove Historical Society took the lead on the project. The wiring in the entire building
was replaced, and the inside and outside of the lighthouse were repainted. It looked brand-new, and Reid was thrilled that
the historical society had also opened the lighthouse to the public, reinstating tours. The mayor and school officials were
so pleased with the festival that they decided to make it an annual event.
During the past year, Kaiah had also worked to reconnect with her father, and she, Reid, and Piper had traveled to Arizona
to spend a week with him and her stepmother. She was also delighted to meet her new niece, Kendall Rose, who had been born
to Kamryn and Devon. She still made fun of her sister for giving her daughter a K name, but Kam was determined to keep the tradition alive.
“Ky.”
When Kaiah turned, she found Reid was down on one knee, and her insides fluttered. “Reid?” she asked. “Are you okay?”
He grinned. “Yeah, I’m fine, but I have a question for you.”
Another firework exploded, and she jumped with a start. “Reid, what are you doing?”
Reid smiled at Piper. “Are you ready?”
Kaiah’s confused look bounced between them. “What’s going on?” she asked.
Reid pulled something out of his pocket and then nodded at Piper. “Let’s do it.” He cleared his throat, “One, two, three . . .”
“Will you marry us?” Reid and Piper yelled in unison.
Kaiah gasped, pressing her hand to her chest while her eyes focused on a jewelry box holding a large, round diamond surrounded
by smaller stones in a gold setting. “Reid . . .” Her eyes brimmed with tears.
“Do you like the ring, Miss Kaiah?” Piper asked. “I helped pick it out.”
“I love it, sweetie.” Kaiah sniffed.
“Daddy told me that I had to keep the ring and the plan a secret, and I did it.” Piper glimpsed up at Reid. “Right, Daddy?”
“You sure did, pumpkin, and I’m so grateful.” Reid swallowed, and worry flickered over his face. “So, Ky? What’s your answer?
Don’t leave me hangin’ here . . .” He stood and gave a nervous chuckle. “Will you marry me? And adopt Piper?”
His daughter touched Kaiah’s hand. “Will you be my mom, Miss Kaiah?”
“Say yes,” Becca said as she, Astrid, and Cash moved through the crowd and came to stand by them.
Kaiah nodded as tears streamed down her face. “Yes. I’d be honored to be your wife, Reid. And I’d love to be your mom, Piper.”
Reid slipped the ring on her finger, and it was the perfect fit.
“Yay!” Piper exclaimed while a chorus of claps sounded around them. “We’re gonna have a wedding! And I’m going to be the flower girl!”
Kaiah laughed as Reid pulled her against him.
“Welcome to the family,” Cash said as Becca, Astrid, and the crowd around them cheered.
Reid touched her face, his expression radiant. “Thank you for being my lighthouse, Ky.”
Kaiah moved her hand over his cheek. “Thank you for giving me the family I’ve always dreamed of, Reid.”
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” she told him. “And I can’t wait to be your wife and Piper’s mom.”
She brushed her lips over his, and as he deepened the kiss, their future as a family filled her mind as the fireworks continued
to explode in the sky.