Cam slapped his brother on the back. “I’m glad you’re branching out into doing some new construction. I love it.”
“As long as the look is vintage,” Nick said.
Later, when they were all gathered around a few round tables set on the future deck overlooking the water, Hadley asked Cam, “You knew about the surprise, didn’t you?”
He chuckled. “Lucy knew about the catering order you put in for the food and accidentally let it slip. So then I thought it would be fun to have everyone with us when I popped the question.”
“Lucy knew about the catering order?” Hadley asked.
“I hope you don’t mind that I spilled the beans,” Lucy said.
“Of course not,” Hadley said. “I can’t believe I was the one who got the surprise.”
Cam looked very pleased with himself. “In the spirit of our recent competition, I can say it’s not often that I get a chance to one-up you.”
“I guess I can let you win once in a while.” To Lucy, she said, “The food’s amazing, by the way.” She grabbed a bacon-wrapped scallop.
Cam hugged his sister. “But not as amazing as you.”
Lucy made a face at her brother. “I’m ecstatic for you two,” Lucy said. “And you might be happy to know I put in my notice with Dad. Lars heard so many good things about the food at the gala, he asked me to join his catering business. As his associate.”
For once, Cam was speechless. He put an arm around his sister. “Well deserved.”
“You handled that really well,” Hadley said after Lucy had moved on. “You didn’t say a thing about cooking school.”
“She’ll decide about that on her own time. But, hey, this could be a start.”
Hadley’s mom and dad pulled her aside. Which sort of freaked her out. “Sweetheart, I couldn’t be happier for you and Cam,” her mom said. “But I…just wanted to say something that’s been on my mind.”
“What is it, Mom?” Hadley held out her plate of hors d’oeuvres. “Have a grilled shrimp. It’s got some kind of citrusy coating on it. Delicious.”
“Sweetheart, I think I sold you and your grandmother short. What you’re doing with the business—how you’re starting a rescue from scratch—well, it’s impressive. I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. I don’t think I’ve said that nearly enough.”
“I don’t think we’ve said that enough,” her dad said, joining her mom. “I think we’re learning that hard work is nothing without passion. Maybe that was the piece we forgot when you were growing up.”
“And there’s more to life than work,” her mom said, threading her elbow through her dad’s arm. “And one more thing,” her mom added. “Can we have Bubba?”
“Bubba’s a medical train wreck,” Cam said, walking up.
“I have a soft spot for him,” her mom said. “I don’t know why. That lolling tongue, that drooly mouth. He’s too adorable.”
Cam laughed and looked at Hadley. “Now I know the soft spot is genetic.”
“We’re so proud of both of you,” her mom said, “and so happy.”
Hadley hugged her parents. “Thanks, Mom and Dad, for teaching me all about hard work. I love you. And Bubba is all yours.”
Gran joined them, walking up with barely a guarded step. “I just knew you two would hit it off again,” she said. “I’m so thrilled.”
“Yep,” Ivy said. “That idea you had to get them together really worked, Maddy.” She clapped a hand over her mouth.
Mayellen’s hard stare did not go unnoticed. “What idea?” Hadley asked, exchanging a look with Cam.
“Oh, it’s nothing, really.” Maddy scanned the room. “Has anyone seen Paul? This has been so much fun, but we really should be going.”
Hadley was at her grandmother’s side before she could escape. “Come clean,” she said.
“Retirement was a huge decision,” she said, looking a little nervously from Hadley to Cam. “But I made it a long time ago.”
“Is that right?” Cam said.
“I obviously wasn’t planning on breaking my hip. And I honestly was going to sell you the building, Cam. But that was before Hadley was so determined to help me through everything. You know how I’ve always loved you two together. I just felt you needed a little nudge—and everything fell together so naturally. Hadley was defending me and wanting to make sure I wasn’t being pressured to stop working, and all I had to do was tell a teeny-tiny little fib.”
“What fib, Mom?” Hadley’s mom asked.
“You know Mayor Chaudhry is the sweetest thing. And her little dog did get away and I did fall but…she wasn’t angry with me at all. And I didn’t lose all my boarding business because word got around I was too old. We stopped taking bookings right before you came, Hadley, right before I fell. So it looked a lot worse than what it was.”
“Gran!” Hadley said. “I really thought the business was in trouble.”
“That’s quite the plot twist,” Darla said with an appreciative smile.
“It was the only thing I could think of to force you together,” Gran said. “I hope you’re not angry with me. Really, the only thing I’m sorry for is making you think the mayor was a little evil.”
“Love won,” Paul said, taking Gran’s hand and lifting his glass before anyone could think about that too hard. “Let’s have another toast.”
Everyone raised their glasses. “To Hadley and Tony,” Hadley’s dad said. “May all your years be happy ones.”
“Are you angry with your grandmother?” Cam asked.
She looked up at him and smiled. “Not at all.” She looked at him a little worriedly. “Are you?”
He took her hand and kissed it. “How could I be angry with someone who helped me find my way back to you?”
Hadley clinked her glass with his. “Helped us to find our way back to each other,” she amended.
“Amen to that,” Gran said.
“I love you, Gran,” Hadley called, still looking into Cam’s eyes.
Amid the cheering of family and good friends, Hadley kissed the man she loved.
This was her life, a life she never would have found if not for all the pain of the past. Strange that it had been right here at home, waiting for her all along.
As soon as they sat down with their plates, Ivy came up to Hadley. “I feel so bad about lying,” she said. “I’m sorry if I caused any trouble. We just wanted to see you and Cam together so badly.”
“No, Ivy, not at all,” Hadley said. “Don’t even worry about it.”
Ivy smiled. “Good. Because we have another tiny problem.”
“What is it?” Hadley asked. Why was the back of her neck suddenly starting to prickle?
“Someone left a box by the front door.”
“Wait,” Hadley said, setting down her wine. “This front door?”
Ivy nodded and pointed. “Right outside.”
Cam set down his fork. “Not more puppies,” he said with a groan. “You’ve finally caught up on your sleep,” he said to Hadley.