Epilogue A Year Later
The meeting room that was usually used for preparing potions and making crystal talismans was decorated on virtually every surface with rainbows. Hannah raised an eyebrow and stared at Kate.
Kate smiled and shrugged. “What can I say? I’ve always been a fan of rainbows.”
“It’s fine, as long as you help me take down the decorations after the meeting tonight.”
“Of course, my love.” Kate wrapped Hannah in a hug.
Hannah rested her head on Kate’s shoulder.
She couldn’t help but put a few kisses on Kate’s neck.
Kate toyed with the necklace Hannah was wearing.
She’d given it to her for their six-month anniversary.
It was a delicate gold chain with a heart-shaped pendant.
In the pendant was a tiny scroll that simply said Home.
Home, Kate was her home, and she was Kate’s home. “I was thinking…” Hannah said.
“What’s up?”
“Meeting seems too formal and businesslike for what we are trying to build here. What if instead of meetings we had gatherings?”
“Gatherings,” Kate echoed. “I love it.”
Hannah’s phone alarm began blaring. She left Kate’s embrace and turned off the alarm. Butterflies began fluttering in her stomach. “People will be here in fifteen minutes, or at least I hope people will show up. Maybe we should have encouraged RSVPs?”
Kate gave her a warm smile. “You know what they say: if you build it, they will come.”
“I just hope we’ve done enough building.”
“It’s going to be good. Even if only one person shows up, it’s a start. I don’t think Marley Creek has ever had an official LGBTQIA group before. At least, I don’t know of any.”
Hannah took a deep breath. With Kate by her side, she could do anything.
“Whatcha thinking about?” Kate asked.
“Just how lucky I am to have you as my partner. You are the strongest person I know; have I told you that?”
Kate scoffed. “Please. Of course, I am biased—but in this matter, anyone would agree with me that you are so much stronger than I am. You survived your dumbass parents, you survived that douchebag, Chad, not just once, but twice.”
“Well, you helped with that,” Hannah pointed out.
Kate wrapped Hannah in her arms. Hannah relaxed into her hold. “You hold me up,” she said.
Kate kissed Hannah’s head. “We hold each other up. And if I have to tell you every day how strong you are until you finally believe it, I will. I know we are going to have a full house tonight, and it’s all because of you, Hannah.”
Hannah turned around in Kate’s embrace. She cupped Kate’s face, brushing her thumb against Kate’s sharp cheekbone. And then she kissed Kate softly and slowly.
A throat cleared, and Hannah stepped away from Kate but held on to her hand.
“Hi, Zaina. What’s up?”
“I’m here for the meeting.”
Hannah threw her arms around her boss. “You didn’t have to. I know you’re busy chasing Lily around when you aren’t in the shop.”
“Hey, I’m here to support you and to represent as bi.” Zaina pointed to her pink, purple, and blue-striped button-down shirt.
“That shirt is super-cute. I don’t know if I could pull it off with my red hair. I’m so glad you’re here! We’re now an official success.” Hannah said.
Kate chimed in, “And I’m sure that there are more people on the way.”
Zaina gave Hannah’s hand a squeeze, and then she said, “I’ll go into the shop and direct everyone who shows up back here for the meeting.”
“We decided to call it a gathering instead of a meeting. Meetings sound like work—and we’re trying to build community.”
“No, that’s great. It makes perfect sense. I’m so excited! Now let me go be your official greeter!”
Hannah walked over to the table, where a spread of food was ready for a crowd.
She rearranged the paper plates and plasticware.
“We should have gotten a pride flag to put up. Remind me to make a list of what we are going to need for the next gathering. We should try to meet once a month, don’t you think?
Is it hot in here? I’m like, sweating. Do I look okay?
I hope I don’t forget what I wanted to say; sometimes I get nervous when I have to talk in front of people.
Do you think we have enough seats?” The butterflies in her stomach were flying up into her throat, along with all those words she’d just blurted out.
Kate put her hands on Hannah’s shoulders. “Breathe, my love. You got this.”
Hannah took a deep breath.
“Countdown with me, five, four,” Kate said.
“Three, two, one,” Hannah finished.
A tall, thin man with short, thick brown hair walked into the room. He was wearing a white polo shirt that was embroidered with Marley Creek Marching Hawks. “I’m guessing I’m at the right place.” He pointed at the rainbow sign reading, All are welcome.
“If you’re here for the first gathering of the Marley Creek LGBTQIA Rainbow Club, then yes, you are,” Hannah said.
“That I am,” he said.
Hannah noticed the man’s rich brown eyes. He had little wrinkle lines around them. She was sure they were from smiling, and she hoped her first impression that he was a good guy was correct.
“I’m Hannah Taylor. I founded this group with Kate Sterling.” Hannah gestured to Kate, who had picked up a clipboard and was walking back over to them.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Nolan Reeves.”
“Thanks for coming out tonight. If you don’t mind, may I ask why you decided to join us?”
“Sure, I’m the band director at Marley Creek High School. I’m not queer myself, but I want to be there for my students who are, and so I’m here hoping to learn more so I can better support them. Is that okay?”
Hannah bit her lip to suppress some of her smile. She was right; he was a good guy. Maybe now that Chad had been vanquished from her life, she was finally able to recognize when a man was a threat and when he was an ally. “We are so happy to have you! Allies are totally welcome!”
Kate held out the clipboard. “If you’d like to know about future gatherings and other events, please fill out the sign-in sheet.”
Nolan took the clipboard and began filling out the form. Behind him, Sadie stood. Kate smiled. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Well, I’ve never been much for wearing pride shirts and all that, but I am bi, and I think I could use some more friends that aren’t four-legged.”
“Four-legged friends?” Nolan asked.
“Let me introduce you two. Sadie, this is Nolan; he’s the band director at Marley Creek High and an amazing ally.”
“Well, I don’t know about amazing,” Nolan said. Hannah noticed his ears were red. Just like her, he was an easy blusher. “And this is Sadie, the best dog trainer in the tri-state area.”
“Well, I don’t know about the tri-state area,” Sadie said with a smile. Nolan reached out his hand, and Sadie took it. “Oh, a spark,” she said.
Hannah bit the inside of her cheek to stop from giggling. Was this group going to make love connections, too? She hoped they would.
Veronica Echols walked into the room. Hannah rushed over to give her a hug. “I’m so glad you could make it. I know tonight is late night at the clinic.”
“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Getting to hang out with people like me? Yes, please. Who knows, maybe I’ll finally meet a single lesbian in this town—not that this is like a club club or something.”
“I totally understand! Heck, maybe someday we can hold a speed dating night or something.”
“You know, that could be a good idea for a fundraiser,” Veronica said.
“I have another great idea. Be our fundraising chairperson.”
Dr. Echols laughed. Hannah crossed her arms.
“Oh, you’re serious,” she said.
“Yes, I am. We are an official non-profit organization, and I am looking for chairpeople for a few committees. What do you think?”
Hannah watched as Veronica looked around the quickly filling room.
“Um, as long as you can find me a few people to work with, I’ll do it.”
Hannah squeezed her arm. “This is great! I appreciate you!”
“I haven’t actually done anything yet.”
“You said yes, and that’s half the battle right there. Now all we need to do is find some people to help, and I know we will.”
The room was buzzing with people talking and laughter. Every chair they’d set up was filled, and Zaina was carrying in a couple of folding chairs she must have had in her car. When she’d planned this night with Kate, she’d never let herself imagine that they’d have standing room only.
As she looked around the room, she recognized an older gay couple who often walked their dog past New Age Stones and Witch Crafts.
There were also a few teens talking to Nolan.
Veronica was laughing with a short, curvy woman who had shoulder-length brown hair.
Hannah wasn’t even a little surprised that Dr. Echols was already successfully flirting with someone new.
Hannah felt like the Nine of Cups personified; this was her wish come true. Gratitude and contentment filled her. Kate walked over and kissed her softly on the cheek.
“Are you ready to start the gathering, my love?” Kate asked and pushed a lock of Hannah’s hair behind her ear.
Hannah heard a chair scrape on the floor. She looked up to see Cathy sit down. Cathy smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.
“With you by my side, I can do anything.” Hannah reached out her hand, and Kate took it and squeezed it, and then they walked together to the front of the room.
***
Thanks for reading Love and the Three of Cups! Read the original Marley Creek Romance series to see when Kate and Hannah first arrived in Marley Creek!