Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
Quinn
A lex rushes into the house without a coat, unbuttoning his uniform shirt as he kicks off his boots. I look up from the kitchen island as he trips over his laces, stumbling forward through the foyer, his hands barely bracing him as he falls.
I burst out laughing and slide off the stool, setting my coffee mug down to help my husband with a shake of my head.
“That was quite an entrance,” I snicker as he eyes me warily.
“I just got off the night shift,” he reminds me, righting himself in my hands.
I cup his tired face and kiss his lips sweetly before leading him toward the kitchen, where I have his breakfast waiting. Relief colors his face.
“Why are you rushing in here like your pants are on fire?” I ask, sliding the plate of bacon, eggs, and toast across the marble countertop toward him before pouring him a fresh cup of coffee.
“The scavenger hunt is today, isn’t it?” he asks, and I raise an eyebrow, reclaiming my spot next to him at the island.
“It is,” I reply. “But we have hours before we have to be there. Eat, have a little nap, and if you’re feeling up to it, we can go.”
Picking up his fork, Alex looks at me warily. “And if I’m not feeling up to it, who are you going to replace me with?” he teases.
I shrug. “No one. We don’t have to go if you’re too tired. You were working all night.”
His eyes narrow. “Who are you, and what have you done with my competitive wife?” he demands.
Grinning, I take a sip of my coffee. “I could replace you if you’re complaining.”
He returns my smile. “How could I ever complain when I’m married to you?”
My cell phone chimes from the charging station, and I slide off the stool to read the text.
“Oh, the tenants at the house are having problems with the downstairs toilet. I’ll call the plumber today.”
He shakes his head. “No, I’ll go over there myself and have a look. I might be able to fix the issue. That toilet used to go on the fritz all the time when I was living there, too.”
I text the tenants back and let them know Alex is coming to check it out, and Edna calls as I hit send.
“What time are you coming to the park?” she asks by the way of greeting. “I need help.”
“And good morning to you, too, Edna,” I chirp. “What time would you like me there?”
“Well, before the scavenger hunt starts. I have to hide all the clues myself this morning, which means I need someone to man the sign-in because the idiot who was supposed to hide them all didn’t answer his phone this morning. There’s something wrong with your generation, I’m telling you…”
I laugh, but Edna isn’t amused. “Are you coming early or not?”
“Yes, Edna,” I promise. “Let me get ready, and I’ll head over.”
“Good. Bring your husband.”
“No,” I tell her. “He was working all night. He’ll be there for the scavenger hunt, but he’s not coming before.”
Alex waves his hands to catch my attention, but I ignore him, knowing what he’s going to say.
“Fine.” She hangs up in my ear as usual, and I roll my eyes.
“I can come help, too,” Alex tells me.
“You’ll rest and deal with the tenants,” I insist. “You’ve got enough to worry about. I need you in tip-top shape if we’re going to win today.”
I grin wickedly at him, and he laughs. “Ah! There’s the wife I know and love.”
I arrive at Holly Ridge Park, relishing the unique peace of this time of the morning.
Edna huffs and puffs when she sees me, striding away from the sign-in table without so much as a greeting as she ventures off to finish setting up the scavenger hunt, leaving me to man the registration table.
I arrange the sign-in sheet on the table as a few dog walkers and town workers filter by, greeting me.
“What is all this?” a woman laughs, pausing by the table.
I peer up at her with a pensive smile. “It’s the registration for the scavenger hunt. It starts at ten if you’re interested,” I offer.
She doesn’t look familiar, and judging by her clothes, she’s not from around here. She’s way too dressed up for Holly Ridge.
She grins brilliantly at me. “No, I mean…” Her chocolate eyes widen, auburn hair brushing across her shoulders as she turns to scan the park. “This.”
“This is Holly Ridge Park,” I tell her slowly. “And we’re getting ready for the annual Christmas Festival. Are you new in town?”
She smirks slightly. “I’m just passing through. Tessa Whitman.”
“Quinn Roth.”
Her wide brown eyes narrow more as she leans over the table. “Do you do any modeling, Quinn? You’re beautiful!”
I draw back, half flattered, half disturbed by the compliment as Alex calls out to me.
“Did I miss it?” my husband yells from the entrance, striding toward me. “Did you win without me?”
Tessa steps back, her mouth gaping. “Is everyone in this town gorgeous?” she demands, shaking her head, but she wanders off before I can think of a response.
“What was that about?” Alex laughs.
“I have absolutely no idea,” I reply. Alex pecks my cheek and takes the seat next to me as people begin to filter into the park to register for the hunt, my excitement growing like it did last year.
“Are we going to let anyone win this year?” Alex whispers as we hand out tags and give the volunteer team leaders their group information.
I turn toward him, my eyes locking on his. “Would you care if we do?” I ask.
He shakes his head, leaning it to rub his nose against mine.
“Nope. Not in the least. As long as you’re on my team, that’s all that matters to me.”
“Ahem!”
Edna stands behind us, and we break apart as she glowers down at us. “Are you in this game or not?” she asks flatly.
“We sure are,” I say, standing. I reach for Alex’s hand, and we take our places among our group, inhaling the crisp, fall air.
“Let’s get Christmas started!” Edna shouts out, and the crowd erupts in cheers.