Epilogue #2
Will noticed Ian and Bailey trailing just behind them. “How are things coming along with your new business?”
Jace’s son brightened instantly. “Getting closer every day. The touring company I’ve been working for has upgraded me from maintenance to an assistant guide already. Some days, I don’t have to do much more than greet people or hand out snacks, but I’m learning a lot.”
“Some of what he’s learning is what he doesn’t want to do once we get our shark tours started,” Bailey added with a grin. “He comes home and complains, and then he starts writing out his own plans.”
“Sounds like you’re on the right path to me,” Will replied. “I’ll keep my eyes peeled for an inexpensive starter boat for you.”
“Oh, Julie!” Carol swooped Julie into a big hug. “I’m so glad you’re part of the family. Can I give you a bit of advice?”
“Sure.”
“If he gets on your nerves, and he will, just push him overboard,” she laughed.
Rick chuckled. “She knows how to keep me in line!”
Barney was with Carol, as he often was. He wagged his tail as he gave Will and Julie each a thorough sniff. “You be good, buddy. I know you’re living the good life now.”
Rick’s son Pierce and his mate Holly approached them next. “Julie, I never really got a chance to apologize to you on Ruby’s behalf. You must know we never meant for you to find out the way you did.”
“Please, don’t worry about it,” Julie replied. “It was a surprise, but I can’t help but think it was just meant to be.”
Will smiled as he watched Julie play with Ruby for a moment. Maybe fate knew how to intervene in more ways than one.
Even Chelsea, with Corbin’s little hand tucked in hers, came to say goodbye. “I haven’t known either one of you for very long, but I’m so happy for you. Honestly, you give me a lot of hope that I might find another mate at some point.”
“I’m sure you will,” Julie replied easily, no longer struggling with the idea of shifters and mates. “In the meantime, you snuggle that little guy all you can. They grow up far too fast.”
Chelsea looked adoringly at her son. “I believe it.”
Barbara and Paul were last. “You two be safe,” Will’s mom admonished. “Keep an eye on the weather.”
“I think I can handle that, Mom,” Will replied. “I’ve been doing this for a long time now.”
“Yes, but I’m your mother and I still worry.” She kissed his cheek and then wrapped her arms around Julie. “You’re going to have a wonderful time. I meant what I said before. You two come back any time you want.”
Paul was more reserved, as always, but there was genuine joy in his dark eyes. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, and remember I’m proud of you.”
Will felt his throat tighten a bit, but he wouldn’t get emotional in front of everyone. There had already been plenty of that going on lately. “Thanks, Dad.”
“All right, you two.” Dylan zipped his coat up around his throat. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, but there’s just one more thing. I’ve got a little surprise.” Will pulled his cell phone from his pocket and opened the app he’d recently installed. He’d tested it on a small scale but didn’t yet know if it would work. “If I could direct your attention out to the water.”
With a click of his screen, the trawler lit up. Christmas lights illuminated every line of the boat, making it twinkle like a cruise ship in the night.
Several audible gasps went up before a smattering of applause, but it was Julie’s reaction Will was most interested in. “What do you think? I didn’t want you to make a grand exit in a boring old tub.”
Her eyes were alight and she sighed happily. “It’s gorgeous.”
“So are you.” He planted a kiss on her cheek.
They continued to wave and say their goodbyes as they headed down the water after Dylan.
He kept the rowboat steady as they climbed in.
Will was excited for this next stage of his life, but he also wanted to make sure he wasn’t leaving anything undone.
“Just so you know, I did get all the upgrades done on the Malones’ boats.
I talked to them earlier this morning as I was finishing some of the wiring, and they seem pretty happy. ”
“Glad to hear it,” Dylan replied. “We’ll be right here for them if they need anything else, as promised.”
“Thanks, man. I really do appreciate it.” If things hadn’t worked out the way they had with the Malones, Will never would’ve felt right about leaving.
“Well, so do I,” Dylan replied easily. “Now that they’ve calmed down, I think they’re actually going to be a great alliance for us. We’ve kept to ourselves for a while, but it’ll be a nice change to have another clan we’re close with.”
Will and Julie climbed aboard the trawler. They waved a few more times from the deck before heading into the bridge and out of the wind. Will fired up the engines and checked all the systems.
Julie was still looking at the clanhouse and the assembled Brighams through the window. “Are you going to miss them?”
“Sure, I am,” he admitted as he engaged the engines. “I do every time, but we’ll come back. As a matter of fact, we’ll probably come back more often than I usually had before. I was thinking we might have a few new destinations in mind, though.”
“Oh?” She turned away from the window. “Planning ahead, are we?”
“It was just an idea,” he said casually, “but I thought maybe after New Year’s, we could take another special trip. You know, a little north, a little east. Go find Molly, maybe.”
“Really?” Her eyes were wide as she clutched his arms. “Do you really mean that, Will? We could do that?”
“I don’t see why we can’t, as long as she’s up for a little company,” he reasoned.
“That would be amazing! Damn.” Julie dabbed at her eyes. “I managed not to cry during that dinner with your family and saying goodbye to them, but now you’ve got me. We haven’t even gotten out of sight of the clanhouse and I’m ruining my makeup. But thank you, Will.”
He pulled her close, keeping his arm around her waist as he gently guided the boat into the night. “For you, Julie, I’d go anywhere.”
THE END
Thank you for reading the Destined Over Forty series!