Epilogue
One year later
ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” pulsed through the speakers in the Flowering Grove Rollerama as skaters moved to the beat out on the
floor. Dakota glanced around at the crowd and grinned. The walls were decorated with streamers, peace signs, and disco balls,
and the patrons had gone all out wearing their minidresses, jumpsuits, sequins, fringe, shiny shirts, and bandannas.
She leaned on Hudson beside her. “I think ’70s night was a great success.”
“I’ve never seen so many bell-bottoms in one place in all my life.”
She laughed and gave his hard bicep a squeeze. “And you look amazing in that silk shirt and vest.”
“That’s because you made them for me.” His gaze raked over her before he kissed her cheek, sending heat curling through her.
“By the way, I’m loving that minidress on you.”
The past year had flown by at lightning speed. After their wedding, Layla and Shane moved into their little house. Layla was still serving as a hygienist for the dentist’s office, and Shane still happily worked for the landscaping company. Shane and Hudson had worked out their differences and somehow had become good friends over time.
Dakota and Skye worked together to institute both in-person and online sales in her shop, including custom orders. The business
was so busy that Dakota had to hire two more saleswomen to help. Dakota was able to concentrate on what she loved—creating
and altering the gowns—while Skye and the other staff handled the store floor.
After purchasing the colonial that had once been an Airbnb, Hudson continued working remotely with Darren. They were already
making plans to sell the company in Bahrain. He also kept busy designing software to help local companies in Flowering Grove,
and from his profits, he donated laptops to the local school system.
Dakota and Hudson also kept their promise to always be honest with each other and put their relationship first. Dakota couldn’t
remember a time when she’d been this happy, and she looked forward to a future with him—a real future this time.
Hudson rested his hand on Dakota’s waist and kissed the top of her head. “I love being here at the rink with you.”
“It’s where our story began.” She smiled up at him.
A strange look filled his face. “Yes, that’s very true.”
“You okay?” she asked, touching his cheek and enjoying the feel of his stubble.
Kayleigh and Brice skated over to them, and Dakota couldn’t help but think that Kayleigh looked adorable in her pink mini dress covering her tiny baby bump. It was hard to believe she’d be a mother of two in only a few more months.
“What are you two doing over here?” Kayleigh pointed to the rink. “Let’s go skate.” When “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees started
playing, Kayleigh grabbed Dakota’s arm. “For real. Let’s go, girl.”
“Hang on.” Hudson held up his hand. “I need Koti for just a few more minutes.”
Dakota’s heart melted at the sound of his nickname for her. She would never get tired of it.
Kayleigh’s eyes widened as understanding overtook her face. “Oh.”
“What’s happening?” Dakota looked from her boyfriend to her best friend and back again.
“We’ll meet you out there.” Brice took his wife’s hand and led her out to the floor to skate.
Dakota studied her handsome boyfriend. “Am I missing something?”
“I just wanted to talk to you for a minute.” He pointed toward the door leading to the party rooms. “Follow me.”
Curiosity threaded through Dakota as they skated hand in hand to the first party room. She followed Hudson inside. “Tell me
what’s going on, Hud,” she insisted.
He rubbed his hand over his neck. “I wanted to tell you something.”
“Okay...” She waited, then made a frustrated noise when he didn’t speak. “Hud, please stop stalling.” When he remained
quiet, worry gripped her. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong. In fact, everything is right.” He huffed out a breath. “When I first came back to Flowering Grove, my plan was to convince my sister not to get married and then get out of town as fast as I could. But once here, I started to realize how much I missed this place. I missed my friends, I missed the community, but most of all, I missed you. And when we reconnected, I figured out that I didn’t only miss this place—I also needed a home, and I needed you.”
She smiled. “I need you too.”
“Koti, I’ve already told you you’re the love of my life. My sister once said that you and I never married other people after
we broke up because we belonged together. I thought she was crazy at first, but she was right.” He reached into his pocket
and pulled out a bright-blue jewelry box.
Dakota gasped, pressing her hand to her chest.
Hudson knelt on one knee, which he impressively managed on roller skates. Then he held up the box. “Dakota Marie Jamison,
I don’t want to spend another day without you. In fact, I want you by my side forever.” He opened the box, and a large round-cut
diamond, resting in a diamond-encrusted platinum setting, twinkled up at her.
She sniffed as her eyes filled with tears.
“Koti, will you marry me?”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
He blew out a breath. “Thank goodness.” He took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger, and it was the perfect
fit. “Dakota, with this ring, I pledge my heart to you, and I promise I’ll love you and cherish you for the rest of my life.”
“Oh, Hudson, I love you.”
Then he pulled her into his arms, and when his lips began caressing hers, her stomach fell into a wild swirl.
He pulled away and touched her cheek. “I have another question to ask you. I was looking into real estate yesterday, and I saw that Helms Farm is up for sale.” He took her hands in his. “We used to go apple picking there in the fall. Mr. and Mrs. Helms are ready to retire, and I heard their family isn’t interested in keeping the place. I remember you said you wanted to buy the Franklin farm last year and turn it into a wedding venue. We missed our chance with that one, but I think this one might work too.” A sheepish expression flickered across his face. “Did you still want to do that?”
“Oh yes! That would be the perfect project for us. The farm has an amazing barn that would make a terrific space for weddings.”
“What if we bid on it? If they accept our offer, Gavin’s company could probably restore the barn. And we could turn the farmhouse
into your boutique.” He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “Then you could hire people to run the venue and the store while
you manage the alterations and—”
She threw herself into his arms and kissed him, cutting off his words and making the blood sizzle in her veins.
When she finally released him, he grinned. “I guess that’s a yes?”
“Yes, I’d love to buy that property with you—but most of all, I want to be your wife.”
He touched her cheek. “Now kiss me again, my beautiful fiancée.”
Hudson wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, and his lips continued caressing hers. Somehow through the
fog of his kiss, Dakota heard a sound behind her.
“Yay!” Layla sang. “I told you so, Hudson. I knew you two would get married someday.”
Hudson released Dakota, and they looked toward the doorway where Layla, Shane, Skye, Gunner, Kayleigh, and Brice all stood,
clapping and cheering.
“Let’s plan a wedding,” Kayleigh called.
Skye held up a finger. “I can get you a deal on a wedding gown.”
Dakota cupped her hand to Hudson’s cheek. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Then let’s start right now,” he said.
And when he kissed her again, Dakota closed her eyes. Happiness flittered through her, and her heart felt light. She couldn’t
wait to see what the future held for her and Hudson.