Epilogue
Two weeks later
I sat in my chair beside the old round barrel in my parents’ backyard near the river during the Sunday night family barbecue. The grass had already started greening up, and the air carried the first real promise of spring.
Pauley and I often sat there together, or sometimes Aiden or my sisters joined me.
Tonight, I relaxed on my own for the moment, the outdoor heater above me casting a warm orange glow that reached my shoulders and chased away the early evening chill.
I wrapped both hands around my wineglass, the stem cool against my palms, and let myself breathe.
I’d sustained a minor concussion from being smacked in the head by Zippy’s gun, but the headaches had gone away after the first week.
Laughter rolled from the patio where my dad and Aiden stood in front of the dartboards.
They both had their arms crossed, shoulder to shoulder, watching the crowd as they spoke.
A faint bruise still shadowed Aiden’s jaw, the last mark from the mess we’d survived.
Otherwise, he looked infuriatingly good in jeans and a dark sweater, with his thick hair a little messy.
My gaze followed theirs toward Cormac, across the yard holding court with both of my grandmothers, who gave him wide smiles. Judging from the lines around Dad’s mouth and the muscle ticking in Aiden’s cheek, they didn’t like it.
My heart softened. Aiden was part of the inside circle now. Family even to my dad.
Cormac caught my eye. He lifted a bottle in greeting and made his way over, easy smile in place. “Your Nonna said to bring this over.”
“We always do what Nonna says.” I held out my glass, and he filled it without spilling a drop. I nodded toward the empty chair beside me. “Would you like to sit?”
“No thanks. I like to wander about. I learn more that way.”
I smirked. “That makes sense. Although you might want to keep your head on a swivel. My grandmothers seem to love you.”
He chuckled. “They’re adorable.”
“You’re lucky. You could’ve gotten me killed.”
He lifted a brow. “How is anything my fault?”
I sipped the wine. “If you would’ve told the sheriff where you found the silver boxes, in the tunnel beneath Gloria’s supplement shop, I wouldn’t have gotten hurt.”
He studied me. “I didn’t know you were going into the tunnel at one in the morning.”
I winced. Fair. “Yeah, that part wasn’t in the plan.”
His expression turned serious. “Not in a million years did I think you’d end up underground and almost get yourself shot.”
It turned out he was good at his job. Once he’d realized the tunnels ran under town, he’d guessed Gloria had used them to sabotage Nana’s tea. He’d searched, found the entrance, and recovered Nana’s stolen silver nugget boxes.
“You should’ve called the sheriff right away,” I groused. Although, he had refused any reward money.
“I was going to tell the sheriff, first thing in the morning,” Cormac said. “I wanted to bring you the boxes at the hospital before turning them over. I didn’t expect you to break in at midnight.”
“That’s because you’re not used to how Albertini women operate,” Aiden said, stepping up behind him.
Cormac turned as Aiden came to my side. Aiden’s presence filled the space with broad shoulders, quiet authority, and the faint scent of cedar soap. He slid into the chair next to mine, his arm coming to rest along the back of my seat in a move that was part protective, part possessive.
Cormac grinned. “Now I know. Agent Devlin, good to see you back on your feet.”
Aiden’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’ll see about that.”
I tried not to laugh. The tension between them was almost funny. Cormac was charming and undeniably handsome, but Aiden still wasn’t sold, and honestly, neither was I.
Across the yard, Donna stood with a glass of Merlot, pretending not to notice Cormac’s attention. He glanced her way, his grin widening as that dimple appeared yet once again. “Just so you know, I am going to find that treasure. I’m sure it’s out there.”
“Good luck,” I muttered.
He didn’t look away from Donna. “Excuse me,” he said, giving a polite nod before striding toward her.
“He’s got too much charm,” I whispered.
Aiden’s gaze tracked him. “Yeah, I know. I had my office do a deep dive on him. Came up clean.”
I straightened. “That’s good.”
“No, it’s not,” Aiden said. “There should be something. Nobody’s that clean. I don’t like it. Your dad doesn’t either.”
“He doesn’t?”
“Nope.” Aiden’s mouth curved. “But the grandmothers love him.”
I followed his gaze to where Sheriff Franco sat near the fire pit beside Nana.
They were deep in conversation, and she looked completely at ease for the first time in weeks.
All charges against her had been dropped, and both Zippy and Gloria were still in custody.
Poor Dr. Walton had already filed for divorce.
Aiden had forced Zippy to lead the team to the mushroom grow site at the base of Bear Mountain, and the feds were handling the cleanup. Saber was undercover now, and Aiden worried, though he’d never say it out loud.
“I saw you trying to play darts with Sheriff Franco earlier,” I said. “One of you with a cane, the other still bruised. How’d that go?”
Aiden huffed a quiet laugh. “He wants to retire around Christmas. Says I should think about what comes next.”
“Whatever you decide is fine with me,” I said. “No matter what happens.”
He looked down at me, blue eyes warm. “You sure?”
“Absolutely. I’m the one who keeps finding trouble.”
“Finding it?” he teased. “You chase it down.”
Probably true. “I’m in, whatever you decide.” I felt like he needed to know that.
“Yeah, I know.” He leaned closer. “But no more orgasms in hospitals, okay? We could’ve been caught.”
My mouth fell open, heat rushing to my face. That had totally been his fault. “Aiden.”
He just grinned, eyes glinting with wicked humor, and kissed me.
I tried not to laugh against his lips. Brickhouse bounded over then, his huge Rottweiler body nearly toppling my chair. He barked once, tail wagging, before shoving his head into my lap.
“Hey, gorgeous boy.” I scratched behind his ears. “Have you been playing with Knox’s dog?”
Brick wagged harder, his tongue lolling.
“Good boy. Go on.” I gave him a pat, and he trotted off toward the cluster of kids running circles around the grill.
The Albertini barbecue was in full swing, with kids laughing, music playing, and burgers grilling. Family was all around us.
Aiden watched the chaos with a faint smile. His gaze found Donna again, and his expression turned protective. “I hope Cormac doesn’t charm her.”
“I kind of hope he does,” I murmured. “She could use a little fun.”
“We’ll see,” he said, already sounding like an older brother. I didn’t comment. Not when he looked that content.
I nudged him. “Just enjoy the moment.”
“All right.” He kissed me again, slower this time, the world narrowing to warmth and quiet breath. When I finally pulled back, I caught him glancing at my jeans, and I shook my head. “Don’t even think it. We’re not in the hospital.”
He laughed quietly. “Fair enough.”
Across the yard, Clark and Tessa engaged in a fierce match of lawn darts, each accusing the other of cheating.
Everyone else had gathered near the tables, plates piled high.
The evening sun dipped lower, painting the river copper.
The breeze carried just enough chill to make me grateful for the heater at my back.
“I think Brooke’s all in with Henry,” I said, having checked on them both earlier that day. Brooke was taking over Gloria’s store to help out her uncle. “The process server who jumped in front of her. Kind of heroic.”
“Yeah,” Aiden said. “I don’t think she and Clark were ever right for each other anyway.”
I sighed. “Me either. Still, it’d be nice to find Clark someone.”
“Clark can find his own dates,” Aiden said, smirking.
He wasn’t wrong. Both of my grandmothers adored Clark, which meant they’d find him a date whether he wanted one or not.
I sipped more wine. “You have to let people find their own paths, Aiden. I saw you and Dad conspiring about Cormac. Don’t interfere with Donna’s life.” She might be the sweet one, but she was also brilliant and didn’t like interference.
He raised a brow. “We weren’t conspiring. Just chatting.”
“Uh-huh. You two together are a scary duo.”
“Good,” Aiden said easily. “I like that.”
“So do I.” I leaned into him, resting my head against his shoulder as the sun melted into the river. For the first time in a long while, everything felt right. “I love you, my Irish hottie.”
He chuckled, low and warm, and pulled me tighter against him. “I love you, angel.”
The world around us carried on with laughter, the clatter of dishes, dogs barking, and someone starting another round of darts. For that heartbeat of a moment, it all felt perfect.