Epilogue
Epilogue
Kandace
Six months later
Q uintessential Treasures is an online sensation.
I’ve hired three people to help with orders and keeping the merchandise stocked.
While the upstairs isn’t Molly’s and my home, it is filled with inventory as well as a room designated as the shipping center.
The computer system is updated and with living only walking distance from the store, I can go back and forth whenever I need.
Dax has partnered with Jeffrey Murphy and opened a title company. They’re working on something that has to do with ethanol. He’s swamped with work but is always there to walk Molly and me home when I turn the sign in the window.
I smile at my friend who is looking at herself in the full-length mirror, turning right and left.
“I look like a giant watermelon.”
“You do not.” I scoff. “A small watermelon.” I lift my finger and thumb only an inch apart. “Baby watermelon.”
“I think that’s what I’m growing.”
The seafoam green dress she’s wearing has an empire waist and plenty of material to cover her eight-month baby bump.
She and Mick married on New Year’s Eve. It was a bit sooner than originally planned.
That didn’t make it any less festive. Sometimes things don’t work out exactly as we expect.
The most important thing is that they do work out.
Once in a while it takes a well-meaning grandmother and friend to make one’s eyes open and ready one’s heart to trust and love again.
The door to the dressing room at the back of the church opens.
Mom and Molly come in. Our daughter is wearing a dress a shade darker than Chloe.
My dress is ivory and long. The hem comes to the top of my shoes, and my veil is secured in my hair with a pearl-encrusted comb that Ginny brought to me.
She said Ruth wore the comb in her wedding to John, and she, Ginny, wore it in her wedding to Dax’s father.
She asked if I’d continue the tradition.
Of course I said yes.
Mom comes up behind me and peers over my shoulder into the mirror. “You’re beautiful.”
When I turn, I’m holding back my tears. “Thank you. For everything. I remember feeling afraid and alone. You and Dad never let that be a reality. And now, marrying Dax…it’s my dream come true.”
“Hey,” Chloe says, as she adjusts the bow on the back of Molly’s dress. “You were never alone.”
“I wasn’t and it’s because of all of you.”
Molly reaches for my hand. “I love you, Mom.”
“And your dad and I love you very much.”
Mom grins. “You’re loved, Kandace. You always have been. And now you are also loved by the man who has always had your heart.”
Before I can reply, Dad opens the door a small bit and asks, “Is it safe for me to enter?”
“Yes,” we all answer.
Dad is back to his healthy self. He looks handsome in his dark gray tuxedo. With a grin, he offers me his arm. “Come on, sweetheart. It’s time you get hitched.” He narrows his gaze. “Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
“Never,” I say. “Daxton Richards is quintessentially the man for me.”
And They Lived Happily Ever After
Turn the page for more LOVE IN RIVERBEND with ONE KISS, Justin and Devan’s story
This small town, age-gap, friend’s little sister, grumpy/sunshine romance will leave you with a smile on your face!
Now BINGE the other ONES (Aleatha’s “Lighter Ones” All the steam with less angst):
PLUS ONE - Fake date, crazy family, sexy boss, childhood bedroom, all make this a hilarious and steamy story
ONE NIGHT - Small town, single mom, adorable little boy and an ex hockey player trying to move on from his playboy ways. Sweet, steamy, and oh so fun.
If you haven’t read A SECRET ONE , the free novella and the prequel to ANOTHER ONE, please be sure to download it today.
ANOTHER ONE - Shana and Travis’s friends to lovers, forbidden romance.
MY ALWAYS ONE - a jilted finance, best friends to lovers, small town romance.