Epilogue
EIGHT WEEKS LATER
Whitney stood in the middle of her brand-new wellness studio, Mountainside Wellness, taking in the scene around her. The walls had been painted a soft, calming green, and framed prints of mountain landscapes and inspirational quotes dot the walls. The hardwood floors had been polished, and they gleamed under the soft lighting. Fresh flowers from the local florist decorated the small reception desk.
Her heart swelled as she looked out at the small crowd that had gathered for her grand opening. Friends, family, and familiar citizens from Jubilee filled the space—Madeline and Brady, Tate, of course, her father, Clemmy, Geneva, Frannie, and even Heather and Lanelle, who ran the local inn. So many people had meant so much to her throughout her life.
Everyone chatted and looked around the studio, sitting in the cozy nutrition classroom, smelling the fresh catering from Jubilee Vegan Cafe, and inspecting the yoga studio. It was such a warm and welcoming atmosphere that she couldn’t wait to start coming to work here every day. She had cut down on her hours at the clinic, and if the wellness center really took off, then she would leave there for good.
“Hey, Whit, you ready?” Coop’s voice came from behind her.
She turned to see her dad, looking healthier and more vibrant than he had in years. He had traded his typical diner apron for a nice button-down shirt and slacks, and while he still had his same stubborn streak from time to time, she could see the pride in his eyes.
“Almost,” she said, smiling. “How are you feeling?”
“Well, you know, I’m better than I’ve been in years,” he admitted. “I’m not saying I love all the green stuff you shove down my throat every day, but I’m getting used to it.”
She laughed, nudging his arm. “That’s good because I’m about to tell the town just how far you’ve come and that you’re going to be around for decades longer than you would have been, so they better get ready.”
Coop grumbled, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Just then, Tate appeared, carrying a tray of vegan hors d’oeuvres. He was wearing a dark blazer over a crisp shirt, and his usual laid-back demeanor was replaced with something a little more polished for the occasion.
“Room for one more snack table?” he asked.
“Always.”
As Tate set the tray on the refreshment table, Whitney felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Madeline standing there, looking as radiant as ever.
“Everything looks amazing, Whitney,” she said. “You’ve really outdone yourself.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without everybody supporting me.”
Behind Madeline, Brady leaned against the door frame, his leg in a brace but a smile on his face. He waved at Whitney, giving her a thumbs up. As he nibbled on something from the snack table, Clemmy and Geneva were deep in conversation near the meditation area, their laughter echoing through the studio.
Even Wanda had come, standing by Coop with a proud expression on her face.
Whitney stepped up to the front of the room, tapping a glass with a spoon to get everybody’s attention. Everyone quieted as all eyes turned to her.
“Hey, everyone,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady despite all of the butterflies flying around in her stomach. “Thanks so much for coming today. This studio has been a dream of mine that I’ve talked about with a lot of you for a very long time. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of everybody in this incredible town, the people that I’m lucky enough to call my family and friends.”
The crowd clapped, and she continued.
“Over the next few weeks, Mountainside Wellness will be offering yoga classes, mindfulness workshops, nutrition seminars, and so much more. My goal is to create a space in Jubilee where everyone feels welcome and supported in their journey to health and happiness.”
She paused, her eyes landing on her father.
“And speaking of journeys, I want to share a little success story. My dad, Coop, has been working with me over the last eight weeks after a health incident that was very scary for both of us. I’m so proud to say that he has already lost fifteen pounds. He’s brought his hemoglobin A1c down by two points, getting closer to being non-diabetic, and has learned how to manage his stress in ways I didn’t even think were possible.”
The crowd laughed as Coop raised a hand in mock surrender.
“All right, all right,” he said. “Don’t embarrass me too much, Whit.”
Whitney grinned. “He’s even been sneaking in some yoga stretches when he thinks no one’s looking.”
More laughter erupted, and Coop stepped forward, clearing his throat.
“Y’all know I usually don’t make speeches,” he said, his voice gruff but full of emotion. “But I just want to say how proud I am of my little girl. She’s always been the light of my life, even when I’ve been too stubborn to admit when I was wrong. But what she’s done here is incredible, and I’ll be the first to admit also that this Tate guy over here isn’t so bad after all.”
The crowd clapped, and Tate chuckled, shaking Coop’s hand. Whitney felt tears well in her eyes as she hugged her dad.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Anything for my little girl,” he said, smiling. “Also, I have some big news.”
“Bigger than what you’ve already done with your health?”
“Yep. I realized that my life doesn’t only have to be about work. So, I’m taking some time off. Gonna rent that RV I’ve always talked about and hit some fishing spots around North Carolina and Tennessee for a couple of months.”
Whitney’s mouth fell open. “Really? But what about the diner?”
He smiled as he waved Wanda over. “This lady right here is my hero. She’s agreed to a promotion and is now the manager of Coop’s Home Cookin’.”
Whitney smiled. “Congratulations, Wanda!”
Wanda waved her hand. “Oh, Lord, girl. I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into.”
“You’ll do great!”
“You may have to come to help me from time to time,” Wanda said, laughing.
Whitney shook her head. “Oh, no, I’m not!” she said, giggling. “Those days are over.”
The crowd dispersed to explore the studio and eat the refreshments, and Tate appeared at Whitney’s side.
“Come with me for a second,” he said, his voice low.
Curious, Whitney followed him to the back of the studio. He reached into a bag, pulled out a framed photograph, and handed it to her.
She smiled. The picture, taken at sunset, beautifully frames the front of Mountainside Wellness, with the soft glow of her sign lighting up the square.
“Tate,” she said, “this is beautiful.”
He gestured to the corner of the frame where a small note was tucked. She pulled it out and read the simple handwritten words: This is just the beginning.
She looked up at him. “The beginning of what?”
He stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. “The beginning of your dream, your business, your life, and maybe the beginning of something else, if you’ll let it be.”
Whitney’s breath hitched as he leaned in, his hand brushing her cheek. The world seemed to fade around them, leaving just the two of them in that moment, and then he kissed her. It was slow and sweet and full of promise, the kind of kiss that felt like the first step towards something extraordinary.
When they finally pulled apart, Whitney smiled up at him.
“This is definitely the beginning,” she said softly.
Tate grinned and took her hand as they walked back in to join the celebration. Around them, laughter and warmth filled the air, the perfect reflection of a life that Whitney had always dreamed of building.
And now, at that moment, she knew with her dad by her side, her friends cheering her on, and Tate’s hand in hers, anything was possible.