Epilogue
Declan had always loved spring. A time of fresh growth and new beginnings. Longer days and the promise of summer ahead. But he didn’t think he’d ever appreciated a new beginning more than this one. The bookstore and wine bar had finally opened its doors, and the grand opening party was in full swing. Everywhere he looked, he saw people he knew, including Livia’s brother, Jace, his wife, Tara, and her friends, Autumn and Riley, all of whom had driven up for the opening and were staying at The Misfit Inn. Even her parents had taken a break from their cross-country camper tour to drive up for the occasion.
Autumn, as it turned out, was some kind of big deal indie author. Her alter ego, Harper Jackson, was making quite a splash in the corner, where she stood in conversation with two other authors who called Eden’s Ridge home. Declan hadn’t met Ivy Blake Wilkes—a.k.a. Blake Iverson—or Paisley Parish, but he’d certainly heard plenty about both as Livia had ordered stock and discussed signing opportunities with the manic glee only a true book lover could muster.
Tables were tucked into each of the genre sections containing different appetizers, provided by his award-winning chef sister Athena. He spotted Scarlett snagging at least three more of the bacon-wrapped roasted pears. Servers circulated around the room, offering glasses of wine from Temptation Vineyards, along with a sparkling grape juice for the underaged or nondrinkers among the crowd. Declan snagged a glass of wine from a passing tray and surveyed the space, looking beyond the crowd to the haven Livia had made.
She’d kept the exposed brick walls, electing to using shelving to divide up the long room. Instead of feeling chopped up, it felt cozy. Each section felt like its own room, softened with faded rugs and comfy furniture that invited customers to sit down to page through the latest mystery or fall into a fresh romance. The kind of place that you could wander and lose yourself. In the back, surrounded by a perimeter of two- and four-top tables, a long polished bar had been built, and behind it were all the trappings of the tasting room and wine bar. Hope and her brother, Ford, were grinning ear to ear as they poured more wine and answered questions from the patrons standing two and three deep.
“She’s in her element, isn’t she?”
Declan turned toward Abbey, following her gaze to where Livia was in animated conversation with Juliette Chen, Mick’s friend and neighbor that he still hadn’t made a move on.
“She definitely is.”
Livia glowed with happiness, recommending books left and right. Laughing. Making connections and weaving her way into the community.
“I’m thrilled at how everybody’s taking to the place. I know all of Maggie’s projections were that they would, but you never know until it happens, and I know Liv’s had some anxiety over it.”
“Well, I’d say she knocked it out of the park,” Kyle observed.
“Everybody’s excited about the new businesses coming to town. Did you hear about the bakery Jonah Ferguson is opening?” Abbey asked.
Declan frowned. “Sam’s brother? Didn’t he become a Navy SEAL?”
“He did. But he’s out now. Inherited The Right Attitude from his dad and is turning that old eyesore of a bar into a bakery with some buddies.”
Kyle laughed. “Trust you to be in the know.”
Their infant son started to fuss from the baby sling Abbey had strapped to her chest. She began to bounce, pressing soft kisses to the downy fuzz on baby Brooks’ head. “Anyway, it seems like things are going great for all of you.”
“Couldn’t be much better. Livia’s business looks to be a huge success. The house is finally unpacked. I love my job at the Guild. The woman of my dreams was actually willing to take another chance on me. She adores my kid, and the feeling is certainly mutual. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better for my daughter or myself. I’m a really lucky man.”
Abbey fixed him with a knowing stare. “I’m glad you’re aware of it. She is my favorite cousin, after all.”
Brooks began to crank up louder.
Abbey sighed. “This one’s hungry. I’m gonna go sneak back to the office to feed him. Be back.”
As his wife strode off, Kyle shifted to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Declan so they could both watch Livia. “So, did you ask her yet?”
“Not yet. I wanted to let her get through tonight. But Scarlett and I have plans later.”
“Good luck, brother.”
Declan didn’t really think he’d need it. Not this time. But he said, “Thanks,” nonetheless. “I’m gonna go talk to my girl.”
He wove his way through the crowd, waiting until Livia had finished her conversation before sliding his arms around her waist from behind. With a happy sigh, she melted back into him.
“Have you eaten anything?” Declan doubted it.
“I’ve managed a few bites. I’ve been too busy to eat.”
“Things are definitely jumping. Everybody’s thrilled.”
She spun in his arms and slid hers over his shoulders. “I don’t think this could possibly have gone better. I’ve got different groups booked out for the next three months, with more inquiring about event space. The romance book club is already full, and Paisley Parish herself has agreed to come to the first one!”
“That’s awesome!” He skimmed the hair back from her radiant face. “I’m really proud of you.”
“I’m proud of me, too. Six months ago, I couldn’t have imagined being this happy.”
“Me neither.”
Because he couldn’t resist, Declan took her mouth in a soft kiss. He could taste her joy, as effervescent as champagne. Knowing he couldn’t keep her to himself, he pulled back. “You have people to greet. I’m gonna make you a plate. But you wanna come over to the house after this is over? Sit down and have some of the wine you totally aren’t going to get around to drinking as long as the crowd is here?”
“That’s a plan. Thanks, Baby.” With one more smacking kiss, she spun away and back into the throng.
Declan met Scarlett’s gaze across the room, and he flashed a subtle thumbs up. She grinned and disappeared to enact the second phase of their plan.
“You sit. I’ll pour some wine.”
“I won’t say no.” As Declan disappeared inside the house, Livia sank onto the porch swing and felt every single hour she’d been on her feet. It was overwhelming and exhilarating and utterly exhausting. But worth it. So very worth it.
Scarlett dropped into the Adirondack-style rocker and propped her feet on the porch rail. “Tired?”
“Oh my God, so tired. But so happy, you know?” Having her friends and family come up for the opening meant everything. Of course, they missed her, but they’d been a hundred percent supportive of her move. Her mom, in particular, was delighted at the prospect of inheriting a grandchild. They weren’t there yet, but Livia knew they’d get there, eventually. She was here now. They had time.
“You missed out on Athena’s appetizers.”
Livia smiled at the girl. “I suspect you ate my share for me.”
Scarlett grinned. “I plead the fifth.”
Declan came back out juggling a couple of glasses and a root beer for Scarlett. He passed out drinks and sank down on the swing beside Livia, toeing it into motion as he always did. Though she was living out at the orchard, she was here almost every day, spending time with her two favorite people, helping with home improvement projects and unpacking. The three of them had bonded over painting, and she’d earned Scarlett’s undying gratitude for overruling Declan’s original plan to paint the kitchen cabinets white. They’d landed on a soft, misty blue that played well off the fawn-colored walls. There was still more to be done, but things were settled now, with everything out of boxes. The house felt like a home. Livia knew how important that was to Declan.
When he draped an arm along the back of the swing, she slumped against him, more content than she could’ve imagined as she sipped at the excellent pinot noir and felt the day begin to unwind.
“Since you barely got a chance to eat, I just called in a pizza at Elvira’s. It’ll be ready in about half an hour.”
Livia could have whimpered in gratitude. “You are a god among men. Supreme? With extra mushrooms?”
“Of course.”
Scarlett made gagging noises.
“And plain sausage for you.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
They lapsed into momentary silence, listening to the night music of the mountains. This was her favorite way to end the day, in the quiet with these two people.
“Good day?” Declan ventured.
“Great day,” Livia sighed. “Better than I ever could have imagined.”
“So you don’t regret making this big ass change? Taking the leap to come up here with me?”
Wondering where this tone of uncertainty was coming from, she straightened to look at him. “I could never regret you. Either of you.”
His lips curved. “That’s good to know. But I think we can make it even better.”
“Oh, do you have cheesecake hiding in the fridge?” Now that she’d stopped, her empty stomach was making itself known.
He laughed. “No, but I’ll file that away to take care of tomorrow. We have something else in mind.”
At that, Scarlett leapt up and disappeared inside.
Livia eyed him with suspicion. “What are you up to?”
“Buying a few moments to do this without an audience.” His mouth closed over hers, warm and sure.
Livia melted into him, desire licking through the exhaustion to prove she had a second wind in there somewhere, at least for this. Over the past months, since she’d moved to Eden’s Ridge, they’d carved out private time for intimacy, but it was never enough. She craved his kiss and his closeness. But it was so much more than she’d ever thought she’d have with him. She could be patient enough for the rest.
Scarlett came clattering back outside. Livia was pretty sure she’d taken to being as noisy as possible to announce her impending arrival, so they’d be done with the sneaky kissing before she reappeared. Not that she objected to Livia’s relationship with her father. The two of them had bonded over mutual love of him and of all things book. Scarlett was, as she had suspected, a delightful kid, and Livia had loved getting to know her better.
The box in her hand was small, wrapped in pretty silver paper with a curling rainbow ribbon. She handed it to Livia.
“What’s this?”
“Consider it an opening day present,” Declan explained. “The start of the next phase of your life.”
Maybe it was something for the shop? Curious, she tugged off the ribbon and ripped the paper so she could open the box inside. Nestled in tissue paper was a key.
“I don’t understand.”
“It’s a key to the house,” Scarlett offered.
Confused, Livia looked back and forth between them. “I already have a key to the house.”
“We know. This is it. Scarlett snagged it off your keyring.”
Scarlett had been digging around in her purse? “Um… why?”
“It didn’t make sense to give you another one, but we wanted to give it to you again, as a symbol, because we’d like you to move in with us. Come make a home with us. I mean, you’ve already been doing that, but we wanted to make it official.”
Livia’s throat went tight with emotion. “You want me to come live with you?”
That uncertainty was back in his gaze. “I mean, if you’re not ready, that’s totally cool. We just wanted to put the option on the table?—”
Livia fisted a hand in his shirt and cut off his babbling with a fierce kiss. “Yes.”
“Yeah?”
“This is exactly what I want. You’re exactly what I want. Both of you.” Livia reached out an arm to tug Scarlett in, and Declan wrapped them both in a tight embrace. And in the middle of the awkward and perfect group hug with the man and girl she loved, she reflected that wishes did come true in their own time, and she couldn’t have come up with a single one that would be better than this.