Epilogue
Penny
November
Somehow October came and went, topped off by the best weekend of this year to date.
Monty and I spent Halloween handing out candy and watching Walker try—unsuccessfully—to keep Daisy from eating the sweets in every child’s bag who stopped by their bakery. Eventually he just gave up and turned off the lights so the kids stopped coming.
The whole evening was a success, and despite Rosie’s complaints, she managed to make it to the bakery, mugs in tow, so we could all end the night with some not coffee and the most sinfully delicious candy pie made by Tally.
Somehow, my sister managed to convince Walker to dress up with her as Woody and Jessie from Toy Story and Daisy was his horse, Bullseye.
They won best costume in the town chat, even though my personal favorite was mine and Monty’s offering.
Everyone thought we were characters from The Great Gatsby but we were actually the couple from his novel, which he officially turned in to his publisher the day before.
He’s been spiraling since then, thinking they wouldn’t like it, but his mother called earlier today to tell us she’s expecting an offer any day now.
The entire team loved it and there’s even some interest from a production company in the film rights.
I might be completely biased, but I truly believe it’s one of the best romantic suspense novels I’ve ever read.
And I, for one, can’t wait to see it on the big screen.
Tonight is the Fall Ball, and for the past two weeks, Monty and I have been attending dance lessons at the senior center with some of the high school students.
Vovo attended every class along with us, and the way she lit up that dance floor, a huge grin permanently on her face, meant everything to me.
Monty’s parents have also made a few appearances at the dance classes.
It seems that they’re taking things slow, but Rebecca has yet to return to New York and she’s mentioned quite a few times how remote-friendly her career is.
The cottages on the farm don’t have heat, so she’s moved back into the Montgomery home, but she’s staying in Monty’s room for the time being since he’s taken up residence in my apartment.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she chooses to stay and commute when necessary.
God, I hope it works out for them. I know Monty doesn’t need to see them back together to trust in our love, but I also see the way he looks at them when they are together.
It’s pure joy, and nothing makes me happier than seeing him so content.
We’ve had dinner a few times together and it’s clear they’re working toward healing their family.
“You told me everyone was going to be dressed up,” I hear Walker growl as he and Tally step inside the event tent.
I almost snort when I see his outfit—the yellow tuxedo he wore to the Spring Fling.
The Fall Ball is a little less formal than the Spring Fling.
Some of the high school girls are wearing dresses—looking for any excuse to dress up, I’m sure—but most people sport various versions of flannel.
I’m in a brown corduroy skirt and a burgundy sweater, coupled with my favorite brown leather thigh-high boots that Monty keeps eyeing with desire.
My boyfriend, just like the rest of the men from Hope Harbor, is wearing a flannel shirt tucked into indigo Wranglers.
Though I think Monty has an edge thanks to the slutty glasses and tattooed arms.
“I’ll swap shirts,” Eli offers, already starting to unbutton his flannel.
Billie’s mouth drops open and Rosie screams, “Yeah, Eli! Take. It. Off!”
Walker glares at him. “Put your shirt back on.” His look is thunderous as he takes off his own jacket, tosses it onto one of the bales of hay that are set up strategically around the white tent to create a rustic autumn vibe, and rolls up his sleeves.
If he had a backward baseball cap on, he’d almost look like himself again.
“This place looks amazing,” Tally says to me.
“Thanks! It was all me,” I reply with a huge smile.
Monty spits out his cider and Rosie cackles.
I grab a napkin and hand it to my boyfriend. “I’m kidding. Monty was very good at looking pretty while the Liberty Ladies and I decorated.”
He swipes the cider from his lips and shakes his head at me before grabbing my neck and tilting my ear up so that it’s level with his mouth. “Xuxuzinho, you’re going to pay for that later.”
My thighs clench. I’m counting on it.
“Where’s Daisy?” Billie asks, glancing around the open space.
The Oakley family was kind enough to allow us to use their property and not even my amazing fall decorations can compete with the show we’re currently watching as the sun sets over the apple orchard, turning the sky the most brilliant crimson.
“She’s got her head in a barrel of fallen apples thanks to Rowan,” Tally explains.
The girls and I follow Tally’s pointed finger and are treated to the delicious sight of all three Oakley brothers kneeling by the cow, laughing as Daisy eats apple after apple from their hands.
“She’s gonna throw up,” Walker grunts. “I’m going to see if I can find a pair of pants that aren’t bright yellow.”
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Rosie squeals. Billie, Tally, and I watch as she rushes over to one of the tables and then lifts a gift bag. “I brought Billie’s present!”
Billie glances at us. “What present? It’s not my birthday.”
Tally and I share a secret smile.
“Maybe not,” Rosie says solemnly. “But I think it is about time we finally induct you into the Hope Harbor Hooligans.”
“The what now?” I say.
“Sorry.” Rosie shakes her head. “I was thinking on my feet. Maybe you can have your hot writer boyfriend come up with a better nickname for us?”
“Trouble,” Monty says with a glint in his eye.
I shoo him away. “You’re ruining the vibe. Go look pretty over there.”
Monty laughs and Eli wraps an arm around his shoulders, guiding him away. “Come on, us pretty boys have to stick together.”
We’re all still laughing when Rosie hands Billie the bag. “You needed your own mug,” she explains as Billie holds up the teal mug that reads, This Is Definitely Coffee.
Billie’s eyes water and she blinks a few times. “Oh my God this is so embarrassing.”
“What is?” I ask.
“I swear I’m not crying because I have friends.” She chokes out a laugh while trying to fight a sob as the three of us surround her in a hug.
“Well, I am totally crying because I have the best of friends,” I offer as my eyes water.
Tally nods, swiping at the tears that spill over onto her cheeks. “We really do.”
The three of us look to Rosie and she blanches. “I’m sorry I don’t cry, but yay for friends,” she says raising a fist and pretending to cheer.
Laughing, I look around for something to cheers with.
“Oh, I’ve got us covered.” Rosie heads back to the table and returns with our mugs filled with prosecco. Once we’ve all got full cups in our hands, she looks us each in the eye. “To the best of friends.”
Tally smiles at me. “To love.”
I wink at Billie. “And to one-night stands.”
Billie rolls her eyes, but Rosie points her mug at her. “You’ve got to cheers and be honest when you do. There’s definitely a man in this room that could interest you.”
Billie’s eyes flit around the space quickly, but before I can see who she’s looking at, Quinn tugs on her arm and her gaze flies to him.
“Hey, Mom, can we dance?”
Billie’s mouth drops open and then she nods frantically, clearly thrilled her son is asking her and not Tally.
As she’s dragged away, she turns to whisper over her shoulder. “Oh yeah, there’s definitely someone.”
Rosie giggles. “I like that girl.”
“Me, too,” I agree, turning so that I’m between Rosie and Tally with a view of the dance floor.
“I just wish she would find someone amazing like we have,” Tally says as she rests her head against my shoulder.
I smile as I watch the couples swaying to Etta James, thrilled to see Monty’s parents among them.
Vovo and my mother sit on one of the benches beside the space, chatting animatedly as they move in time to the music.
Monty, Walker, and Eli return with glasses of cider, though Walker hasn’t been able to swap his yellow pants out for something more casual. They’re almost blinding with how ridiculous they look.
When we turn back to the dance floor, Quinn has disappeared and poor Billie is now stuck dancing with Stew.
“Shit, Eli, go save her,” I say, pushing him in her direction.
Eli glances at Billie, then looks back to me with a shrug. “Sure, can you hold my drink?”
He doesn’t even make it a step before a palm lands flat against his chest. “No.” The word, gruff and clear, is spoken with zero need for interpretation.
“Walker!” Tally says, smacking him in the arm.
But her boyfriend doesn’t even look at her, his eyes hardening as he doubles down. “Nope. Don’t even think about it.”
Eli holds up his hands and steps back. “Got it. Little sister’s off limits.”
I don’t miss the way his voice rises when he says it. Or how he seems to shrink just a little as he agrees to Walker’s demand. I don’t think Rosie does, either.
“Hey, Eli, will you dance with me?” she asks, nudging his bicep.
Eli forces out an easy “Of course.” Though he’s not fooling anyone, least of all me.
“Making up stories in that pretty head, Xuxuzinho?” Monty whispers in my ear.
I blush. “You know me so well.”
“And I love every single little thing about you.” He presses a kiss to my neck, then nips the skin there before soothing it with another kiss. “Dance with me?”
The man on the piano starts playing “L.O.V.E.” by Frank Sinatra and I let out a small laugh.
Monty told me the story about this song when he introduced me to his friend Joe a few weeks back.
In addition to joining us tonight, we got him to come and play at a couple of the seniors’ nights, and I understand he’ll be performing at their monthly concerts now, too.
“You sure you want to dance to this song?”
Monty doesn’t say another word but moves me onto the dance floor, holding me as we dance to his new favorite song. I smile up at the man who is the definition of love to me. There isn’t a book boyfriend who will ever compare to him. And as far as love stories go, ours is definitely my favorite.