Epilogue
The gondola climbed slowly, the wheel lifting them above the fray. Above the shouts of carnies, the trill of a game, the squeals,
and the peals of laughter. All of it faded as Maggie and Josh rose into the night. Off to the side waves rolled onto the beach
with their steady rhythm, and the moon hung overhead, casting a silvery light on the water.
The May wind tugged at Maggie’s hair and she captured it in her hand. Leaned into Josh’s side, getting cozy. “It’s such a
beautiful night.”
“Um, have I ever told you I’m not altogether comfortable with heights?”
She lifted her head. “Really? Didn’t you go paragliding after you graduated from high school?”
“That was eighteen-year-old Josh. Thirty-four-year-old Josh likes something a little more substantial than air beneath him.”
“Are you gonna be okay?”
“I’ll be fine. Just feeling a little jittery—and not enjoying the view quite as much as you.”
“You should’ve said something earlier. We didn’t have to ride.”
“I wanted to be brave for Zoey.”
Maggie smiled. “That’s very sweet.” She zeroed in on the gondola just ahead of them, now sweeping downward. Will sat beside Zoey, his arm flung around her shoulders. “I wonder how she’s doing.”
Just then her daughter turned, the top of her head barely visible over Will’s arm. “Mommy, I’m doing it! I’m riding the Ferris
wheel!”
“I see you! You’re so brave, honey.” Maggie smiled as Will’s arm tightened protectively around her daughter. “He’s really
good with her.”
“He sure does love her. And she’s pretty smitten with him too.”
Josh groaned as they swooped down toward the ground.
She set her hand on his thigh—and her diamond solitaire caught under the carnival lights, glittering. Two days after Thanksgiving
Josh had proposed on the beach in what would forever be the most romantic moment of her life. It had been a short engagement—Josh
had already waited so long, Maggie saw no reason to make him wait any longer.
They’d married on New Year’s Eve in a private ceremony officiated by Patrick. Will and Big D stood with Josh, and Erin and
Zoey attended Maggie. Her mother had been invited but, still in a snit about Dr. Derrick, chose not to attend. Maggie was
okay with that. The wedding was drama free, a lovely affair, full of meaning and poignant moments. Josh gazed at her throughout
the ceremony, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Just the memory of it made her heart swell.
“I guess we’re going around again,” Josh said as the gondola swept past the exit stairs and started back up.
“We can ask to get off anytime, you know.”
“If Zoey can do it, so can I.”
She patted his leg. “All right, tough guy. Have it your way.”
When they neared the top again, Will shouted back to them. “Hey, look over there!”
“There’s fireworks, Josh!” Zoey called. “They’re big! Do you see them?”
A red starburst bloomed over the water, accompanied by a deep boom.
“I see them,” Josh called.
Since the wedding, Zoey had taken to calling him Josh , just like Will. After all, he was her stepfather now. Will came over to the house at least once a week to hang out, have
supper. Sometimes they included his mom or Addison—they were such a cute couple. Will and Josh played basketball together
regularly, sometimes with Brad, who was no match for his son or grandson.
While Will might have inherited Ethan’s looks, he’d taken after his father in the athletic department. He’d also inherited
Josh’s little eyebrow hitch—a fact Maggie loved more than she could say.
According to Will, the man who’d raised him hadn’t seen him much since learning about his biological father. But apparently
that wasn’t much of a change. Maggie still held out hope the man would come around in time.
In the spring Will had finally agreed to let Josh supplement his college costs, eliminating the need for school loans. Will
still insisted on paying what he could. He worked for Josh part-time during the school year and planned to work full-time
again this summer.
Maggie glanced at Josh. “How you doing over there?”
“Is it almost over?”
She homed in on his face, which seemed relaxed enough. He might be a little wobbly, but he was mostly messing with her. “Maybe
I can distract you from your fear.”
He flashed a grin her way, eyes gleaming, his phobia apparently forgotten. “Now we’re talking.”
“Wow, that was easy enough.” She pretended to think. “Hmm, distractions... Well, let’s see. Katherine called today. A cute two-story bungalow east of the state park just went on the market. There’s an open house on Sunday afternoon.” They’d been living at his place since the wedding but agreed they needed a bedroom for Will.
He gave her a wry look. “That’s great, but not really the kind of distraction I had in mind.”
She played clueless. “Oh, well, I also got a new client today—two actually—twin brothers. They’re on the swim team at school
and want to train with me this summer.”
“Hey, that’s great news. Your roster’s really filling up. Before you know it you’ll have a waiting list.”
After she’d gotten engaged, Maggie gave her notice at school. She’d miss her students, but she was ready for a new chapter.
Swimming lessons were a natural fit and there seemed to be a need for instructors on the island. Ever since she’d moved back
to Seabrook, she’d been building a clientele for her new business, the Mobile Mermaid, which she’d kicked off in April. Their
new house would either be equipped with a pool or have the space to install one.
Josh nudged her. “Still not quite the distraction I was hoping for.”
“Really? Jeez. I’m running out of ideas over here.”
“Maybe I can help you out.” He turned her face toward his and kissed her. His mouth moved slowly, reverently, taking its sweet
time. His lips parted hers and he went to work, kindling a familiar fire inside her. Oh, the man was good.
She set her hand on his neck, where his pulse thrummed steadily against the soft flesh of her palm. She forgot about distractions and gondolas and other people. Her world shrank to the two of them, to the love that burned for him, the desire that built for him every time he touched her.
“Ew, they’re kissing again!”
Zoey’s voice and subsequent giggle dragged Maggie from that dreamy cocoon. The gondola swayed to a stop as Maggie opened her
eyes to find they were midway down.
Will regarded them over his shoulder. Really, guys?
Josh shrugged, then tightened his arm around her shoulders and whispered in her ear. “Now that’s what I call a distraction.”
She gave him a coy look. “To be continued...”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with enthusiasm.
As the gondola steadied, Maggie’s gaze drifted around the carnival below. The rides, food stands, game alley. Her thoughts
went back to last summer. To that first sighting of Ethan’s look-alike just over there. It had been such a shock. But look
where it had ended up. Look where they had ended up.
“This is where it all began,” Josh said as if reading her mind.
“It seems so long ago, doesn’t it?”
He gave her a squeeze. “It was quite the summer. You found my son. Saw him and wouldn’t let it go. Did I ever thank you for
that?”
“Several times. And you didn’t let it go either. We found him together.” She squeezed his hand. “And then we found each other.”
Josh had been right there through every twist and turn. More recently he’d been a great support as she’d shifted careers—her
biggest cheerleader. And he always gave good advice when it came to her mother, with whom she now maintained a more distant
relationship. He encouraged her to keep her boundaries in place. Listened when guilt swamped her. She’d continued counseling
with Miss Allison remotely, but Maggie sensed she would soon be ready to fly on her own.
Well, not entirely on her own.
She glanced at Josh as the ride swooped them downward. He stared off into the distance, a furtive smile lingering on his lips.
“What’s that grin all about?”
He peered at her, his eyes going worn-denim soft as the moment drew out. “I was just thinking that I’ve never been this happy
before. I love you, Mags, and I love doing life with you.”
He did know how to make her light up inside. “I love you too. Every day with you, with our new little family, is a blessing
from above.”
The ride swung to a stop, and the carny opened their door and freed them from the safety bar. Then they stepped out into the
night together, hand in hand, ready for whatever came next.