Epilogue
EPILOGUE
“It’s finally starting to feel like Christmas.” Jameson stood beside her, gazing at the office tree they’d just finished decorating.
“It smells just as good as it looks.” Taylor smiled up at him. “Thanks to the cinnamon sticks Glenna insisted on tying to the tree.”
Taylor had teased Glenna about the ten feet of candy-cane-striped ribbon she’d pulled out, but she had to admit the cinnamon sticks and peppermint candies on the tree tied with the pretty ribbon were a nice touch.
Outside, large fluffy flakes were rapidly turning the sidewalk and streets white. With piped-in Christmas music playing overhead, Taylor took a moment to savor the scene, including the sprig of mistletoe that Glenna had laughingly hung above the office door.
Jameson shook his head. “I can’t believe Glenna still has shopping to do.”
“I think she sees last-minute shopping as part of the holiday experience.” Taylor smiled. “I’ll probably brave the madness one more time before I leave for California.”
“Are you excited about your trip? ”
In three days, Taylor would hop on a plane to visit her mother and her mother’s partner, Michael, in San Diego.
Taylor was eager to see her mom again and looking forward to meeting her live-in boyfriend. During the past three weeks, she’d gotten to know Michael through FaceTime and could see that the two were well matched.
“I’ve never spent Christmas anyplace warm. Being in sunny California over the holidays will be a new experience.” Glancing outside at the falling snow, Taylor knew she would miss having a white Christmas. And she would miss Jameson. “Mom said we could celebrate here, but she was here for Thanksgiving. It’s my turn now.”
Relationships were all about give-and-take, and Taylor was determined to do her share of giving—not because she felt forced, but out of love.
“I’m happy for you, but you’ll definitely be missed.” The look he shot her, his eyes as warm and sweet as the hot cocoa they’d shared earlier, had her heart melting.
“I’ll miss you.” Even though they already had a date scheduled for Chloe’s New Year’s Eve party, that seemed eons away.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Taylor kissed him softly under the mistletoe, then rested her head against his broad chest, utterly content.
For a second, Taylor swore she smelled the scent of freshly baked gingerbread—her father’s favorite—though she wasn’t sure where that smell came from.
Jameson brushed back a strand of her hair with the tip of his finger. “Any more notes?”
She sighed. “Not a one.”
“Does that bother you?”
After considering the question, Taylor shook her head. “I feel like Dad showed me the way and now trusts that I’m on the right track. ”
His tone turned teasing. “And what is the right track, Ms. Higgs?”
Taylor smiled. “Living the life I want, doing a job that I love, taking time for family and friends.”
Everything in Taylor’s life had fallen into place. Once she’d trusted her instincts and turned down the offer to return to her old job in Chicago, Taylor had let herself fully embrace life in GraceTown.
She’d planted her feet firmly in family law, with Abigail as her mentor. At Elite, she took on an increasing number of asset-search cases and brought money into the firm. After the first of the year, they would hire another PI.
Life was good.
Though she still had to resist the urge to work long hours, her new friends and Jameson were doing their best to keep her grounded and help her enjoy a balanced life.
Jameson’s smile flashed. “Enough talking. It’s time to take a drive.”
“Where to?”
“You should know by now.”
Maybe she should, Taylor thought, but she didn’t have a clue.
Fifteen minutes later, Highway 15 Diner came into view.
Puzzled, Taylor turned to Jameson. “But we haven’t closed a case.”
“Yes, we have.” He parked the car in the lot as snow continued to fall. “We solved the case of why Bob sent you the notes. Which means it’s time to celebrate.”
Traditions, Taylor realized, were a wonderful thing.
They walked through the door hand in hand. Minutes later, she sat across from Jameson, her heart light.
“To new beginnings,” Jameson said, lifting his ceramic coffee cup and clinking it against hers.
For a second, she swore she saw her dad sitting next to Jameson, his eyes warm with approval. Then he was gone .
Swallowing past the sudden lump in her throat, Taylor lifted her cup high. “To following instincts.”