Epilogue
Sadie
T arryn pours the last of the iced tea into her glass and leans back in her chair, scanning the printout between us.
“Can you believe this?” she says, shaking her head with a smile. “We’re at over a thousand platinum-level VIPs in just three months.”
I grin, stabbing the last of my salad with my fork. “Honestly? Yes. It’s an amazing product, and people are thrilled to have access. Personalized notes, private tastings, early access… People feel like they’re part of something exclusive. Thank you for allowing me to do this.”
Tarryn waves off the compliment like she always does, but her eyes sparkle with pride. “Your idea was a no brainer. You were made for this.”
My cheeks warm. I’m still getting used to the idea of being part of something like this, something that feels like it’s growing into more than just a job.
“I’ve been thinking about your suggestion,” Tarryn continues, tapping her pen on the edge of the table. “I spoke to the owner of that vineyard in Oregon—Cascade Bluffs. They’re so popular now, they’re selling futures ten years out. People are locking in cases before the wine is even bottled.”
I blink. “That’s wild.”
“Right?” she says. “But I think you’re right. We could do something like that. A special reserve—just for VIPs—maybe from this year’s harvest. Bottle it separately, make it exclusive.”
I sit up a little straighter. “That could work. But do we have enough yield?”
She flips through the binder and pulls up the current projections. “Cab is solid. Merlot’s a little tight. And pinot…” She exhales. “The new vines just aren’t mature yet.”
“They’re still producing, though,” I say, thinking it through. “Just…not a lot.”
“Exactly,” she says. “But maybe that’s the point. Small batch, high value. Could add to the mystique.”
I nod, wheels turning. “We’d have to be careful. Pinot’s finicky, and the profile’s still developing. But it could be brilliant. Make that scarcity work for us…”
We sit in silence for a beat, picturing it—sleek bottles, a private release, maybe even a tasting event to go with it.
“I’ll run the numbers again,” Tarryn says, scribbling notes. “If we time it right, we could open the futures list next spring.”
I reach for my glass, my pulse picking up in that way it does when something feels big. Exciting. “I think it’s worth exploring,” I tell her. “Let’s make it happen.”
She grins across the table. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
And just like that, we’re off again, building something bold, one idea at a time.
Tarryn gathers up the last of the papers and stacks them neatly in her binder. I slide my plate aside and take t he last sip of tea before she looks up at me with a smile.
“So,” she says, tilting her head, “you ready for your vacation?”
I smile so wide it actually hurts a little. “Almost. As soon as Beckett finishes his rounds, we’re heading to the airport. We’re on the four o’clock shuttle to Vancouver.”
“Straight to Caleb’s?”
“Yep,” I nod. “And I finally get to meet Kate. He hasn’t stopped talking about her.”
Tarryn grins. “Do you think it’s serious?”
“I do,” I say. “He’s super excited. Honestly, I haven’t heard him this happy since…maybe ever. I wouldn’t be surprised if they get married.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Wow. Big changes all around.”
I glance out the window for a second, watching the breeze ripple through the vineyard. “Yeah,” I whisper. “Six months ago, I felt like all I had was Rosie. No job, no future, no place to go. I never imagined any of this.”
Tarryn stands and circles the table to pull me into a hug. “Just remember,” she says against my ear, “you picked us. I was born into this chaos. You chose it.”
I blink back tears as I hug her tighter. “I’d choose it again. Every time.”
“Okay, okay, before we get too weepy…” She steps back and pats my arm. “You’re only gone two weeks.”
I nod. “I’m heading back to the tasting room. I’ve got a few last things to wrap up before leaving everything in Eric’s hands.”
“How’s he doing?”
“Honestly?” I smirk. “With a little guidance, a lot better than I expected. He’s sharp. Listens well. I think he might actually be ready.”
She laughs. “See? You’re a good teacher.”
I laugh. “With a guide like you? I had no other choice.”
We say goodbye with promises to text before my flight. As I watch her walk off toward the vineyard, clipboard in hand, I feel a sense of purpose settle over me .
Not long ago, I was drifting. Now, I’m anchored—by love and a life and family I never saw coming.
I can’t wait to see where life takes me next.
Despite all I have to do, I linger at the table for a few more minutes after Tarryn’s gone, enjoying the afternoon. The hum of bees floats through the open window, and a light breeze rustles the grapevines outside. I feel like I belong.
And this trip? It’s more than a vacation. It’s the next chapter, a reunion with my brother I haven’t seen in so long, a celebration of love with Beckett, and a chance to honor Rosie in the best way I know how—by living and ticking off things to do in London from her bucket list.
As I finally get going, I sling my bag over my shoulder and take one last look at the vineyard bathed in sunlight. It takes me just a few minutes to finalize everything with Eric in the tasting room, and then I’m on my way.
I pull into the driveway just as Beckett’s coming down the front steps, suitcase in one hand, travel bag slung over his shoulder. He grins when he sees me, that easy, warm smile that never fails to make my heart stutter. “You ready?” he calls as I climb from the Jeep.
“More than ready.” I shut the door and walk toward him. “Tarryn and I just wrapped up the VIP planning, and I’ve handed the reins of the tasting room to Eric while I’m gone.”
He raises a brow. “Think he’ll survive?”
I laugh. “Tarryn and Trinity will be there to back him up if he needs it, but I don’t think he will.”
Beckett meets me halfway and hooks an arm around my waist, pulling me in for a quick kiss. It’s soft but full of promise. “You look good,” he murmurs against my temple. “Relaxed.”
“I feel good,” I say. “Like I’m finally standing on solid ground.”
He nods. “Then let’s get you on a plane so we can go show your brother.”
I smile up at him . “Let’s make some memories.”
The sliding doors part, and a rush of cool London air hits my face, waking me up just a little, though my body’s still screaming that it’s the middle of the night.
I didn’t sleep more than an hour on the nine-hour flight, and jet lag is already setting in.
What should be my bedtime is bright-and-early morning here.
The sky is a soft gray-blue, the kind of muted light that feels foreign and elegant all at once. Car horns echo in the distance, and there’s a faint smell of something roasting mixed with history and the promise of adventure. I’m excited to see my brother and explore places I’ve never been.
Beckett slips his hand into mine as we exit customs, both of us scanning the crowd. Then I spot him.
Caleb is standing by the rail, waving, looking more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. He grins, and next to him is a stunning woman with long dark hair, high cheekbones, and a megawatt smile. The second our eyes meet, she lights up.
“Sadie!” she says, pulling me into an enthusiastic hug. “I’m Katy. It’s so good to finally meet you!”
She has a magnetic energy, the kind that draws people in—confident, open, full of warmth. Her smile reminds me of sunshine, even on this gray London morning. I like her instantly, and that doesn’t happen often.
“It’s great to meet you too.”
Katy laughs, still holding on to my arms. “Okay, so I have to admit something. For the longest time, I thought you were Caleb’s ex-girlfriend.”
My eyes widen. “Seriously?”
“Even after I saw a photo,” she says, waving a hand in the air. “You two have this whole same-eyes thing going on, but you don’t really look alike. I was suspicious.”
I grin. “That’s fair. I look like our mom. Caleb’s more like Dad. B ut I promise, we’re siblings. No drama.”
“Thank goodness,” Beckett mutters under his breath, and I elbow him playfully.
We pile into the back of a black cab, and Caleb gives the driver an address. The guy confirms it’s in Notting Hill and pulls into traffic like he’s late for something.
“You look great,” Caleb says, turning toward me. “Beckett treating you well?”
I glance over at Beckett and smile, letting my head rest on his shoulder. “Very well.”
Katy beams at us. “So what’s on the agenda for your trip?”
I reach into my bag and carefully pull out Rosie’s notebook.
“My best friend, Rosie, passed away a few months ago,” I say, flipping it open gently.
“She’d been in the hospital for a while, and we talked about all the places we were going to go once she got better.
She would scour the internet for all the great things to see and do and paste them into her bucket list. When she died, she left me the book and asked me to do them for her. So I’m checking them off.”
I hand the notebook to Katy, who takes it reverently and starts flipping through.
She scans the pages, her fingers brushing over Rosie’s loopy handwriting, the glued-in photos and folded maps.
She takes her time, pausing at the little notes Rosie and I scribbled in the margins.
A map of Edinburgh with three stars, a restaurant receipt taped next to a photo of Big Ben, a quote written in purple ink: “Life’s too short to play small. ”
“This is incredible,” she murmurs. “There’s so much here. Museums, restaurants, little villages I’ve never even heard of. You’re going to be traveling for years.”
I smile and take the book back, holding it close. “That was the idea. Rosie wanted to live big, and she wanted me to do it for both of us. Poor Beckett is going to be dragged along for the ride.”
He kisses my head. “And I’ll love every minute of it.”
Katy reaches across the seat and squeezes my hand. “We better make sure this trip counts.”