Epilogue
Paul
The gallery opening went off without any major hitches.
A couple of hiccups, but I took care of everything, and it was a huge success.
Karpathia introduced Maggie to everyone as the new up-and-comer in the photography world and her words carried the weight to keep patrons in the gallery.
Maggie’s work was well-received, bringing excellent reviews and several sales.
Wyatt stayed the whole time, talking to customers and creating buzz for the event on his socials. On top of all of that, he even bought a chunk of her collection for his various houses. At the end of an incredible night for Maggie, we had drinks to celebrate her debut into the art world.
The next day, after reeling from the incredible review in the newspaper, Maggie took the day off to decompress, which was just code for letting me drain all the stress from her body.
Rusty came into the bedroom a few times to check on us, once for food, and then hopped up in bed with us to insist on a snuggle between us.
I told him that her screams were a good thing, but he gave me a judgmental glare.
I’d have to work on convincing him or make sure the door was closed during our time together in the future.
Overall, though, Rusty and I were pals. I fed and played with him enough that he’d taken a liking to me.
By the end of the week, Maggie was glowing with her excitement over getting married right away.
We went to the courthouse ready to sign the papers, but there was a one-day waiting period after getting the license.
So, we scheduled a ceremony with a judge for the next weekday and called her aunt and uncle.
They were thrilled for us, taking time off to attend the wedding.
Karpathia was excited to attend, and even Wyatt was going to be in town and coming to our wedding.
The next morning, I bought her a bouquet of white roses and lavender, her aunt and uncle stood up for us as witnesses at the ceremony, Wyatt and Karpathia threw rose petals as we went out to his limo that whisked us off to a hotel for two blissful days alone.
Knowing Rusty was in the capable hands of Wyatt, we didn’t have to worry about a thing.
Maggie called in sick for work the day after our honeymoon. It wasn’t entirely untrue. I pleasured her so thoroughly she couldn’t move. Proudest moment ever.
On the night before Maggie went back to work, she tensed beside me.
I tried rubbing her shoulders to help her relax. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Her eyes focused on something far away as she explained.
“It just feels like the work I used to do isn’t important anymore.
With the numbers back from sales and all the orders still pouring in from the gallery opening, I want to be a photographer full-time.
” She refocused on me, stilling my hands with hers.
“I want to quit Kent, get out of the city, and live together somewhere else. Could we live somewhere in the country and just come to the city for shows and things?”
My heart sped up at the idea of getting out of the city. It was so loud that I longed for country life again.
“I told you, Mags, I’m with you. Wherever you want to go. Whatever you want to do. If you want to buy a camper and travel, taking pictures everywhere we go, then let’s go.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Really?”
I nodded. “Between my business income and your art, we’ll have enough. We can always look at getting you a blog and online sales, too. And I’ve got a following to promote your stuff. Your photos are just what a farmer’s heart needs. You make the country landscape come alive.”
Latching onto me, she hugged me before pulling back. “I have to give a month’s notice on the apartment. It’d save a lot to get rid of this place in the city and live in the country. And there’s something I haven’t tell you.”
My heart pounded with anticipation. “What’s that?”
She nibbled her lower lip. “Promise you’ll love me even though I’ve got another secret or two?”
I held her face in my hands. “I’ve loved you forever and always will. Now, out with it.”
“I bought it,” she squealed.
I searched in my memory for a reference.
“Don’t you remember?” she asked, gripping my hands as she wiggled with delight. “The land outside of Mainview where we watched the stars and made love.”
My lips parted slowly. “Wait, the acreage? You bought it? When?”
She snickered. “Well, you remember that the For Sale sign was gone, right?”
I felt like the wind got kicked out of me. “That was you? We christened your land the night we were there?”
Nodding, she played with the longer hair at my neck. “I hoped it was the beginning of a dream. Us together. Our land. You always wanted an animal rescue, and I love country living that’s close to a bigger city. So, I hoped we could build on it someday.”
“After living in the city, you’re ready to be a country girl?” I asked, swallowing hard as I knew that was where my heart was, too.
“Guess it took living here to realize that’s what makes me happy,” she said, giving me a kiss. “Oh, and there’s more. Remember Miles from the college?”
“What does he want?” I asked, scowling.
“I’ve been in touch with Miles, the art director from the college who is also happily married,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“He offered me a job in the photography department next year. I could get a salary teaching something I loved while still devoting the summer to my art. Health insurance and teaching what I love. It’s the best of both worlds. ”
“That’s incredible,” I said, pulling her in for a hug. Then, I leaned back. “Mags, that’s amazing. Why didn’t you tell me?”
She shrugged. “Had to be sure I was done with living in the city, I guess. But I want a home of our own, Paul. I want to be able to keep up with your brothers, visit with Suzie and her family, visit Mom’s grave, and keep tabs on your father … and mine.”
Examining her eyes, I saw her sadness mixed with hope. “Then go ahead and give notice on the apartment. I have my pick-up, so we can live on the land in a camper until we build our house.”
There were so many things to do. So many plans to make, but my girl crawled up my body suggestively.
“Well, that’s sort of been taken care of, too,” she said mischievously. “You see, Wyatt wanted to give us a wedding present.”
“What kind of gift?” I asked breathlessly.
She bit her lower lip. “A house?”
“Wyatt Jones built us a house?” I hollered. “You’re kidding, right?”
“And an animal rescue for horses, dogs, and cats.” She pulled back to see my face and grinned.
“You know how he is. He’s family and wants to spoil us.
He’s been bursting to tell you, but I made him wait until after the wedding.
It’ll be ready in a few weeks, so we’ll move back the day before Thanksgiving and host the biggest Thanksgiving dinner for our family and friends.
” She paused wistfully. “And maybe Father will come, too.”
The two of them had spoken a few times since I’d come to live with her. While she hadn’t invited him to the wedding, or even told him about it, I was glad to see them working on a relationship. Their calls seemed to focus on her art for now, which seemed like a good place to start.
Shaking my head slowly, I was in awe of this incredible woman. Somehow, she managed to combine every dream I’d ever had for us into one unbelievable package. Not able to wait another second, I captured her lips.
When I pulled back, I studied her eyes that glistened with emotion. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
She lifted one shoulder casually. “Oh, you know. No big deal.”
Always so humble. Always so damn demure. Until I got her going. So, I dove in, reclaiming her lips.
Emotion threatened to close my throat when I pulled back, realizing that we’d finally done it.
After years of always being on the wrong page, we’d finally found a way to be together.
We’d both taken our own paths, learned important lessons, and managed to find a way back to each other.
Even though I’d missed a few years with her, with what we had now, I’d never be sorry.
With this new life, we’d live boldly, build a future together, and love endlessly.
As I pleasured Maggie into the early morning hours, I marveled at how there could be so much to gain in letting go.