Epilogue
Daisy
I put the finishing touches on my display table and looked around the camp. Mountain View Retreat was done and ready for the grand opening party. And so was I.
“This looks amazing,” Natalie gushed when she stopped in front of my table. A dozen of us were set up inside the new building with all the doors and windows open wide to encourage people to wander around and check out everything there was on site.
“Thanks. It was such a great idea to have people here. And to show off the Retreat to everyone before camp starts next week.”
“I wasn’t sure we’d ever make it to today, so I’m happy this place is functional.”
“It’s so much more than functional,” I told my bestie. Natalie worked her ass off to create the place she dreamed of. Nothing stopped her. Not the tree on the camper, not the minuscule budget she had, not her anxiety, and definitely not her boyfriend, even when he was being a pain at the beginning of the whole thing.
Natalie looked around, pride in her gaze. “It really came together, didn’t it?”
“Yes, it did. And you got Omar out of the whole deal.”
Natalie chuckled. “I almost screwed all of that up.”
I shook my head. “No. He understood. You know that. And the trailer he got for you is better than the crushed one, anyway.”
“Yeah, it is,” Natalie agreed reluctantly. “All of this is better than I imagined it would be.”
“Today is a day for fun. What time are people coming?”
Natalie looked at her phone. “Soon. We officially start in twenty minutes, so probably any time. Do you need anything?”
“Nope, I’m all good.”
Natalie hugged me. “Thank you for being here. And your table looks amazing. I need one of these tattoos.” She grabbed one from the front of the table.
“Take whatever you’d like,” I told her. I had temporary tattoos made with my store logo and a cute animal picture. The same designs were also made into stickers. And I bought some mini beach balls and footballs with my store name on them. Kids could grab an item and parents would remember where it came from, and hopefully come in to the store next time they were shopping for toys.
“Thank you. I’ll be back soon.” Natalie waved and moved on to the next table.
I kept messing with things and debating if it was all perfect until the first vehicles rolled down the driveway and parked. Excited kids got out with wide eyes and even wider smiles.
That was my favorite thing ever. Seeing happy kids.
I was busy for the next two hours as a steady stream of families came through the camp. Kids played basketball and volleyball on the newly refurbished courts. Families jumped into the pool. Laughter followed everyone around.
And through it all, Natalie beamed with pride and joy. Omar was never far from her side, a hand on her hip when she faltered and a whisper in her ear when no one was talking to them.
I was so damn happy for them. I wasn’t so sure about Omar at first, but he was a good man. Exactly who Natalie needed in her life. She was happier than I’d ever seen her, and she was more herself than I ever thought she’d be with a man. She was the person I knew, not the person she showed others.
I was not looking forward to the day she would move out and I wouldn’t see her every day, but I was looking forward to watching all her dreams come true.
Cars drifted out of the parking lot and the other vendors packed up their things to head out. I only had a few swag items left, and I decided to leave them with Natalie for any families who didn’t make it out to the grand opening.
Omar and Natalie were near the office trailer when I walked out of the building. Their heads were together, reading something on his phone. Natalie’s mouth dropped open.
I rushed to them. “What’s wrong? What happened? Is everything okay?”
Natalie looked up at me and exhaled a laugh. “You’re never going to believe who was behind the articles about Omar.”
“I thought there was no way of knowing.” Omar searched for months, asking the reporter and putting pressure on the editor of the paper. No one would tell him anything about who was giving them the information.
“Casey White, the woman who interviewed Omar?”
“I remember. Melody’s friend. She’s behind it?”
“No, no. But she wanted to know, too. She didn’t stop looking, even though after her article, no more came out. She just texted Omar. It was Mayor Levine.”
“What?” I screeched. Mayor Levine resigned two years ago, and Omar took over as the interim mayor. I didn’t know a lot of the details, but the little I did know sounded like it was not Mayor Levine’s choice to leave.
Natalie chuckled. “That’s what Casey said. The reporter who wrote the articles about Omar got the picture of us from a family friend of Levine’s, someone who wanted him back in office. Once he had the picture, all they had to do was concoct a story about Omar and the article was done. The reporter fell for it, even though most of it was not true.”
“Most of it?”
“The picture was real, but it was taken out of context. Omar did fire someone, but not the person the reporter interviewed. Everything that was in those articles had a hint of truth, but only if you didn’t know the real truth.”
“Wow. That’s horrible. Why would Levine want to come back here?”
“That’s what I’ve been wondering,” Omar said. “When he left, Patrick made it clear everything he did would be exposed if he tried. I’m guessing he thought enough time had passed and everyone would have forgotten about him. If he made me look bad, then he looked good by comparison.”
“Not even close,” I said. “No one wants to see him in charge again.”
“Well, Casey is going to run a story about him and all the things that happened, so he’s not going to get a chance. It’ll bury him,” Omar said.
“Is that really necessary? Why destroy him when he’s gone?” I asked.
Natalie shook her head. “He’s not gone. Just because she found out he’s the one behind all of it doesn’t mean he’s gone. She said it sounds like he’s planning to announce his campaign next week.”
I shook my head. I didn’t like seeing people ruined, but the man had done it to himself. I wasn’t going to be a fan of someone who opposed people in positions of power based on gender, or any other trait that had nothing to do with their skills, but a part of me felt for the man. He should have just stayed away.
“He can run, but I’m not going to hide what he did from the town if he’s going to try to lead again. I was willing to let it go before because he couldn’t do anymore damage, but I won’t let people choose him without knowing who he really is,” Omar said.
“That makes sense. Too bad he didn’t move on.” I shook my head, wondering what would have made him take the risk.
“At least now I know why I was being attacked. And I know Natalie is safe from the same.” Omar turned to Natalie and kissed her softly.
My heart twisted with jealousy. I hated the emotion. I wasn’t jealous of Omar, or Natalie, more that I wanted the same thing they had. A person who would do anything for me. Someone who supported me and was there for me. I’d never had that. Ever.
“We’re going to head out,” Natalie said. “Are you coming over for dinner later?”
I shook my head, knowing they needed time alone after their discovery and the day. Natalie would never tell me she was exhausted and wanted time alone, but I could see it in her eyes. “I’m going to check on the store and then have a quiet night. I’ll see you tomorrow at book club.”
“Are you sure?” Natalie asked.
I hugged her. “I’m sure.” I hugged Omar. “Have a good night.”
“You, too,” they said together.
I walked to my car and pulled out of the lot ahead of them. I watched them kiss and talk next to his SUV in my mirror.
I was happy for them. I really was. I wanted Natalie to have everything she ever dreamed of. And it was so good to see her getting it.
The store was quiet, so I went home after checking in with my staff. They could handle the weekend traffic, and I wasn’t needed.
I turned on some music and changed into shorts and a tank top. I started dinner, dancing around the living room. It had been a good day.
My phone dinged from the kitchen, drawing me back to my food. It was almost ready. I grabbed my phone and smiled when I saw I had a new match on Book Boyfriends Wanted.
“DrGrumpy? Who would call himself that?” I chuckled and checked out his profile. “What’s the best that could happen?” I asked myself, smiling as I sent him a message. Maybe he would be the one I’d been hoping for.