Epilogue
One year later...
Eden sat in a comfortable chair in the beautiful garden at Seacrest, Lavender and Kendrick’s home, a smile stretching from ear to ear as she watched Max, Kendrick, and the three older children play croquet.
Lavender sat beside her, holding the youngest of her brood, three-month-old Christopher, whom they called Kit.
Once she and Max had returned from Egypt, they’d stayed for a while at her London house, searching the countryside near Willoughby Hall and Seacrest for an estate of their own.
She’d been thrilled when Max had declared himself as enamored as she was by the Kent seaside.
After weeks of looking at every available property, they found the perfect place just a half hour’s ride from her friends.
White Cliff Manor was everything they’d wanted. The house was a magical blend of styles that somehow all fit together perfectly. The views of the ocean from the back of the house were magnificent, and they’d set about making improvements immediately. Now, it was an oasis for both of them.
They’d had a small, lovely wedding at Willoughby Hall the week they’d moved in, and the months since had been filled with laughter and making love late into the night.
Her friends all loved Max, even Daphne, who’d admitted she’d been horribly wrong about him. Genevieve had gladly given them her blessing, and Lavender, of course, had been nothing but supportive.
“I think they’re becoming great friends,” Lavender said with a smile, gesturing toward their handsome husbands.
“I am certain of it,” Eden replied. She’d been worried that Max would grow tired of living in the country, that he’d miss the excitement of his former life, but she’d been pleasantly surprised.
He seemed more at ease than she’d ever seen him, truly happy to leave the danger and adventure behind.
He loved spending time with Lavender’s rambunctious family and helping Kendrick in the garden.
He had high hopes of turning their own into something just a fraction as beautiful as Seacrest’s.
“How are you feeling?” Lavender asked, her gaze dropping to Eden’s stomach, and she realized she’d been unconsciously rubbing her heavily pregnant belly.
Eden laughed and shifted in her seat. “I’m ready to meet him or her, that’s for sure. I don’t know if I have another month of being pregnant in me.”
“Don’t be silly,” Lavender chided. “You journeyed through the Sahara on a camel. You can do this.”
“You’re right,” Eden replied. “I’m an explorer. I’ll navigate motherhood quite well.”
She still found herself thinking of her time in the desert sometimes.
It seemed like someone else’s life. She didn’t miss the heat and the sand, and she’d come to terms with what had happened in the labyrinth.
In the beginning, she’d sometimes regretted not taking the scarab, but now, she was absolutely convinced she’d done the right thing.
She’d faced her share of ridicule when she’d returned empty-handed, but as Max had reminded her, it didn’t matter what a lot of stuffy suits in London thought of her. He and she both knew what they’d done.
Kit cooed happily, and Eden found her eyes stinging with tears. She was such a watering pot lately.
“Why are you crying?” Lavender asked, leaning forward and looking at her in concern.
Eden brushed away her tears in embarrassment. “Kit is just so beautiful, and I can’t believe this is all real. I have to pinch myself sometimes. I’m just so happy. Happier than I ever thought I could be.”
Lavender reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m so glad you found your lost love and had your adventure. And even happier that you’ve settled down so close. I would have hated to lose you to Egypt.”
“You will never lose me,” Eden promised. “I’m very afraid you’re stuck with me.”
Lavender turned her gaze to the rooftop of Willoughby Hall, just visible over the trees. “It seems as though Felicity is settling in well with Daphne and Genevieve.”
“I believe so. Genevieve has really taken her under her wing.” By the time they’d returned to England, she and Felicity had become quite good friends.
She’d been happy to hear that Felicity had taken her advice and used the time when she’d been alone in Cairo to explore a bit and think about what she wanted the rest of her life to look like.
She hoped that the newest Wayward Widow could someday find even a fraction of the happiness that she and Lavender had.
But she didn’t think Felicity was anywhere near ready to find love again.
And Daphne and Genevieve still swore they were happier on their own.
Of course, that’s what she had thought until fate and Lucas had thrown Max in her path once again. The baby kicked, and Eden’s heart swelled so much she thought she might burst.
From across the wide lawn, Max caught her gaze, and he seemed to understand what she was feeling, because his smile took her breath away.
He was her partner, her equal, her love. She had a feeling their lives would be a beautiful, messy, and complicated adventure, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
THE END
Ihope you enjoyed reading Eden and Max’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it!