Epilogue
Two years later
IT WAS A crisp autumn day in Service, the kind that made you feel alive with the cool breeze and bright sunshine.
The town buzzed with excitement as people gathered in the open field for the charity football game fundraiser in support of the newly built Service County Public Response Complex and Care Clinic.
In their absence, the town had seen fit to vote Pete out and healthcare in.
Thanks to Rachel, the old mill, now Wanakee Crossing, was a place where residents, visitors, and new businesses intersected.
Mr. Wanakee’s donated land had expanded the affordable housing units beyond even Rachel’s vision.
After six months in San Diego, Noah and Rachel rolled back into town, renewed and healed from Pete’s betrayal.
The distance had allowed Noah the time to reexamine his career away from longstanding expectations and commentary.
His final decision led him back to college to study fire engineering.
The livestream of Rachel’s proposal for Service’s redevelopment plan and Bethany’s crisis had captured the attention of Benji’s followers and Rachel’s firm.
Lawrence + Begatta offered her a partnership and the opportunity to establish their new rural development division.
Benji was her first employee hire. In five years, the three of them would start up an independent architectural firm dedicated to rural and residential redevelopment.
But today, they were ready to take to the field and settle an old rivalry.
Noah versus Benji.
“Go Noah, rah rah,” came Rachel’s voice above the teenage girls’ snickers and the adolescent boys’ crimson-colored faces. Noah shot Rachel a glare from the huddle. The crazy woman had been screaming his name since the two teams had taken to the field.
ClamClam joined in, her distinct “MRRRRAAAAAAAAAOOOOWWWWWWW!” adding to the excitement.
“Six, the game hasn’t even started yet.”
“That doesn’t matter to your biggest fan,” she yelled back, cupping both hands around her mouth to amplify the message.
Noah laughed. She had kept her end of the bargain, too. During their first three months, she’d been his biggest champion when he began researching fire protection engineering curricula and enrolled in college. “I know how much this game means to you.”
Noah smiled and then ran over to give her a quick kiss. “Promise you won’t be mad when I leave your best friend in my dust?”
Rachel slung her arms around his neck. “Only if you acknowledge I’m the best fan you ever had.”
Noah looked down at the cushion-cut diamond solitaire dancing in the sunlight on her left hand. “You’re the love of my life… the best part of me, Six.”
“Noah, I’m on borrowed time, bro. The baby only naps about two hours, and since you got us into this—again…
” Stroker trailed off from the sidelines.
Captain Novak had retired, and Stroker had earned the fire captain position.
Noah had no ill feelings regarding his decision to leave or his friend’s success.
With the raise, Stroker had put a down payment on five acres of land right here in Service, and construction had started on the new home for his wife and son.
He kissed the woman who would be his wife and made his way onto the field.
Immediately, a chorus of cheers and teasing jeers from the hometown crowd started up.
“Hey, Noah, don’t go easy on ’em just ’cause their quarterback has started coaching at the middle school,” his future father-in-law shouted from the sidelines, a mischievous grin on his face.
Noah laughed and waved back. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Matt.”
“You better not. We Johnsons have a reputation to uphold,” the old man called back, pumping his fist playfully.
Beside him, Bethany giggled and squeezed her husband’s hand. “Looks like you’ve still got the whole town wrapped around your finger, Noah.”
Noah chuckled. “Yeah, well, I’m more than happy to share the title.
” Thanks to Rachel, he understood he didn’t have to be the smartest or the most accomplished man in the room to be a winner.
He’d learned his biggest asset, come to find out, right here in the town of Service.
His teambuilding and work ethnic had served him well on consulting projects with Rachel, too.
He’d cared about his community enough to work consistently every day to make it better for everybody.
He shared what he knew if it could help the next person.
People seemed to value his input; no trophies were required.
He found more satisfaction in giving than receiving a token.
And the best prize was that he and Rachel had grown closer while sharing the workload.
“Glad to hear you say that, Noah.”
At the sound of the familiar voice, he scanned the crowd, and his eyes landed on a friendly face. Benji sauntered over, a confident yet welcoming smile on his face. “Well, well, if it isn’t Service’s favorite son, returning for me to beat you like a banjo.”
“There’s my favorite football understudy,” Noah joked. The two men eyed each other before Benji broke into a wide grin, extending his hand.
“Rachel looks happy,” he said. Noah took pride in hearing those words from a friend who cared for Rachel when he couldn’t.
“We are.” Noah clasped Benji’s hand in a firm handshake, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Good to see you, man. Ready to get your halo handed to you?”
“In your dreams, Noah.” Benji glanced in Rachel’s direction, chuckling. “This time, I can’t promise to spare a defeat to protect my FriendFriend’s feelings.”
“We’ll see about that,” Noah replied, his competitive spirit already starting to flare.
The two teams took the field, the fans quiet, the air thick with anticipation. Noah and Benji matched skills trading who’s your daddy jabs as touchdowns climbed for each team.
Rachel jumped up and down, her arms raised in triumph at kickoff. Talk about a one-woman cheerleading squad. She screamed like his crazed groupie, her red curls loose and flying with the breeze on every play.
“Show ’em how it’s done, baby,” Rachel yelled.
His mother and Amarie, with purple pom-poms in hand, spurred her on. Noah had every intention of rewarding his biggest fan immediately after this game.
The crowd didn’t seem to care who ran the ball—they roared for both teams. A spirit of joyful fellowship flowed easy as water, and Noah felt on top of the world.
So this was the fun his PawPaw had talked about all those years ago.
A surge of confidence in camaraderie filled Noah’s heart.
He didn’t have to do this alone. Pivoting, he drew back his arm and launched the ball toward the end zone.
As the ball sailed through the air, players scrambled and the crowd fell silent.
Matt and Noah’s former high school coach, Bubba, jumped to their feet, head back, eyes tracking.
The ball landed in Tobias’s waiting arms, securing the win for their team.
The scoreboard buzzed, the hum then click as the clock hit zero.
The field erupted in cheers and celebration. The pop of cold brew tabs hissed in succession. Longnecks of ale with ice clinging to the bottle passed through hands as people swarmed the players. Pats on the back and raised libations celebrated the former Service County Otters on a hard-fought game.
Noah found himself surrounded by his teammates.
Shouts of praise and backslaps rained down in a steady supply.
The old Noah would’ve basked in the praise.
But his eyes were only for one person. Rachel made her way through the crowd, a beaming smile on her face.
Their eyes met, and Noah felt warmth spread through his chest. He used to be so obsessed with winning, he’d taken for granted what mattered most. He realized having Rachel in his corner had been the real trophy all along.
He caught her in a tight embrace, lifting her off the ground. Rachel threw her head back, red curls swaying in the breeze. “We did it,” he exclaimed, his voice full of joy and pride.
Rachel laughed, her arms wrapped around his neck. “You were amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
Noah set her down, his hands on her waist as he gazed into her eyes. “None of it would have been possible without you,” he said softly. “You’ve helped me see that there’s so much more to life than just winning.”
Rachel smiled, her eyes shining with love. “This is Service. There’s always been more to you than being number one, Noah Calvary.”
They shared a tender kiss, oblivious to the cheers and laughter around them. For Noah, in that moment, the only thing that mattered was the woman in his arms and the knowledge that he had finally found the balance he had been searching for.
His PawPaw would be proud of the man he’d become and the woman he’d chosen to stand by his side.
Rachel had promised to be his number one fan, but in his heart, he cheered every time she looked at him with love and trust in her eyes.
His new motto: If life were an oyster, then losing himself in Rachel every day for the rest of his days was the pearl. Finally, he’d won the game of love.