EPILOGUE
August
With a can of bougie sparkling water in one hand and a plate piled high with barbecue goodness in the other, Gabe leaned against the railing of Knute and Elton’s new deck and smiled. Just about everyone had made an appearance for the not-a-surprise housewarming party.
Casey came from behind to stand next to Gabe. “Who would’ve guessed, Elton and Knute,” Casey mused.
“Well, me for one. And Claribel for another. Once I saw the two of them together?” Gabe shook his head. “I knew.”
“I mean, who normal would’ve guessed. You and Claribel Delacombe do not count.”
They were also celebrating Casey not having to wear an orthopedic boot any longer.
His ankle fracture had been fairly serious, complicated by trying to climb out of the cave.
At first, he’d been in a cast, then he’d graduated to a boot, but under strict doctor’s orders not to overdo it for twelve weeks. No hiking. No running. No biking.
Personally, Gabe felt he deserved a special award for not allowing Casey’s foul humor to get under his skin. Not once. He and Bowie had gone on many long walks together.
After all, it was Casey’s own fault that he’d been delegated to office duty for the entire summer. Even Bowie got sick of his bitching. And thank fuck Greta had the patience of a literal saint because she had put up with him stuck behind a desk all season.
On the other hand, Casey had been able to personally mentor their new hire. According to Raffi, Casey was only about half as scary as one of his past bosses.
From his left, Gabe heard someone call out a tentative, “Hello?”
Turning, they saw Kelly Perkins hovering nervously just inside the gate.
“Kelly,” Casey said, a genuine smile in his voice. He took the three steps down to the yard and greeted her with a hug. “You made it.” He stepped back and held both his hands out. She grabbed them like she was drowning and he was the lifeline.
“I’m so nervous,” Kelly said, staring up at Gabe’s partner as if she was preparing to be thrown to the wolves. “Is she here? Do I really get to meet her?”
“Yes, Nicole is here. She’s nervous about meeting you too.”
“I’m afraid I’m going to mess up, say something wrong.” She let go of Casey and wrapped her arms around herself.
“You won’t do anything wrong,” Casey said soothingly. “Just be yourself.”
Remarkably, Kelly Perkins had been another one of the reasons Gabe hadn’t locked Casey in a closet until the boot came off.
When she’d learned about his injury and that he had helped find out what had really happened to Calvin, she’d started stopping by the park office, bringing treats and company.
She’d even covered volunteer hours when the office was especially busy with visitors.
She’d refused to be put off by Casey’s “grumpy feelings,” and they’d become friends. Then Gabe’s grumpy lumberjack had become a bridge of sorts between Nicole Petyr and Kelly Perkins, even going so far as to orchestrate this safe-place meeting. Who knew his Ranger Man was such a softy?
Setting his plate down on the table, Gabe moved to join them.
“Heya, Kelly.” He gave her a quick hug and appropriated one of her hands.
“Everything is going to be fine, we promise. Nicole and Calli are over there”—he pointed—“playing a riveting game of lawn bowling. I think that means Calli hurls the ball and then toddles after it to knock down the pins herself.”
They didn’t give Kelly another chance to protest. If they did, it was obvious her nerves would get the better of her.
“Come on,” Gabe said, tugging on her hand. “You’ve got a granddaughter to meet.”
The End