Epilogue
Vanessa loved the view from her front porch. She breathed in a deep lungful of crisp, fall air. The leaves clinging to the trees created an explosion of colors. The cluster of purple and orange mums placed around the yard added to the festive atmosphere.
Dax stood beside her with his arm draped over her shoulder. “You ready?”
She tried to smile but feared all the nerves tying up her stomach made it come out as more of a grimace. “What if nobody shows?”
He grinned down at her then lifted his gaze to just above her head. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.”
She followed his line of vision and the truck trudging her way both relieved and increased her anxiety. “Okay, so people are here, but will they like what I’ve done?”
He placed a kiss on her forehead then took her hand, tugging her forward. “There’s only one way to find out. Besides, this is a soft opening. Friends and family only. Do you really think anyone you invited today will be anything other than completely excited for you?”
He had a point, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want everything to go off without a hitch.
After things had settled down months before, she’d dived headfirst into creating a space where she could welcome the community and offer everything from goat yoga to garden staples.
While her contractor had gone to work on the barn, she’d toiled over the garden as well as putting together her new place.
She’d thought unpacking her boxes would do the trick, but she hadn’t been prepared for the amount of time that went into making her grandfather’s house her home.
She’d poured through each room, taking care of the things her grandpa had thought important enough to keep.
She’d cried, laughed and grieved different parts of the family she’d never know—the family she’d lost.
But in the end, she’d felt closer to them all.
And now with her heart at peace with her past, she couldn’t wait to focus on her future.
As vehicles parked, she took Dax’s hand and crossed the lawn to the barn.
The siding boasted a fresh coat of red paint and new French doors trimmed in white led to the recent addition.
She’d spent the morning with the animals, giving baths and placing fun bandanas around their furry necks, so she opted to head for the pristine yoga studio.
Stepping inside, giddiness swam in the pit of her stomach.
Black mats marked the spots of future patrons on the gleaming wood floor.
The ceiling pitched high in the center. Thick beams crisscrossed along the ceiling to add to the rustic charm.
A mirror took up one full wall, while the others boasted framed black-and-white photos of the property and animals who lived on it.
A cubby for shoes and purses sat beside the door, as well as a small seating area with a long bench and two armchairs.
Autumn sat behind the welcome desk at the front of the space with Frankie curled on her lap. Her dark hair was pulled into a high ponytail.
She waved. “Hey, guys. This is so exciting. We’ve put so much work into this place already.
I can’t wait to see how it goes. Mom said she can’t wait for these yoga classes and will even try a class with the goats.
She made me promise not to take any pictures.
” She lifted her hand to her mouth as if telling a secret. “Although I may have to sneak a few.”
“Just don’t get me into trouble,” Vanessa said with a chuckle.
After the truth about her uncle had surfaced, she’d hated the idea of her aunt and cousin refusing to maintain a relationship.
Luckily, her worrying had been for nothing.
The three women had found strength in one another, forging a strong bond she’d be forever grateful for.
A bond that was cemented with offering Autumn a job.
She’d remembered her cousin’s dream of earning a degree to help her transform her grandfather’s property into a thriving business.
Now the two had combined their dreams for the future to build something beautiful they knew their grandfather would be proud of. And, hopefully, after Chip paid for the crime he’d committed as a teenager, he’d come around to seeing what a wonderful thing they’d brought into the community.
Dax fisted his hands on his hips. “You need help with anything, Autumn? Looks like you’ve got everything set up.”
“I think I’m good,” Autumn said. “Mats and bands are laid out, my playlist is ready, and I even turned on a diffuser. I figured the vanilla would combat the smell of goats in here. They’re cute and all, but awfully stinky.”
“You thought of everything,” Vanessa said.
“Just followed the boss’s orders.” Autumn gave a mock salute.
Dax linked his fingers with Vanessa’s and tugged her toward the sliding barn door that led to the animals. “There’s one more thing we have to do before people come inside.”
Frowning, she walked beside him and checked her mental to-do list. Not one task came to mind that she’d forgotten. Soft opening or not, she’d wanted today to go perfectly. Strived to give her friends and family a complete experience they’d fall in love with—then tell everyone they knew all about.
Goats and sheep greeted them when they entered the wide aisle. Bessie mooed in the far corner. Vanessa had never thought she’d love these animals as much as she did, but she didn’t have time to fawn over them right now.
Glancing around, she searched for whatever issue needed to be attended. “What’s going on? What did I forget?”
Dax spun her to face him and smiled. “I want you to take a moment before the craziness begins and appreciate how far you’ve come.
I’m so proud of you. Of your determination and vision.
Of how you made decisions with your head and your heart.
You’ve built something amazing. Not only will it be a success, but I can see the potential for more.
For this land to bring the community together the way you dreamed.
I want you to soak all this up and enjoy it. ”
She took in a shuddering breath. “It’s been a lot, but I think you’re right.
This is going to work. I feel it in my bones.
Like this was my purpose all along. Cloud Valley has given me so much.
A home, a place to live out my dream, and a man who’s helped me every step of the way.
I couldn’t have done any of this without you. ”
“Yeah, you could have,” he said with a wink. “I’m glad you didn’t have to, but you could move mountains if you wanted. I’m just happy to be a part of it. And if you’ll let me, I’d love to continue being part of your life. Every day. Forever.”
Her breath stalled in her throat and her heart beat with the force of a hurricane. “What are you saying?”
He whistled, and Frankie charged into the aisle.
Dax bent down and lifted a ribbon from around Frankie’s neck.
A solitaire diamond dangled from the ribbon.
“I’m saying the day you walked into my life was the best day ever.
You make me a better person. You’ve showed me what real love is, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you—making you feel as special as you make me feel. Vanessa Kemp, will you marry me?”
Tears misted in her eyes and she threw her arms around his neck. “Absolutely, yes!” She lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed him hard before pulling back and smoothing her palm along his jawline. “How did I get so lucky to find you?”
Smirking, he shrugged. “Your grandpa must have had one hell of a plan.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Must have.”
Frankie barked as if in agreement.
Dropping her arms, she held out her hand to let Dax slide the engagement ring into place. She stared at the sparkly diamond and squealed. “It’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.” He hooked an arm around her waist. “Now, let’s get this party started.”
Grinning, she fell into step beside him back into the yoga studio, which was now full of her family and friends. Joy filled her until she thought she’d burst. She’d arrived in this town lost and searching for the right direction to take her life.
But she’d found more than a place to belong—she’d found people to love, a home to cherish, and a man she adored.
A man who’d be her partner, her lover, her husband every day for the rest of her life.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Above the Law by Patricia Sargeant.