“He isn’t lying, Phoebs,” Andy jumps in. “Look.”
He hands me a letter, and I open it, my eyes growing wide as I read Claire’s true final Will and Last Testament.
Dear Gabriel,
I’m sure it will come as a surprise that I’m appointing Andrew as the estate manager for the inn rather than you, but I assure you I have sound reasoning.
As you know, my only living relative is Hamond. He’s such a good boy, he calls me every weekend and always sends a driver to take me to the city when he’s in the area, which I suspect was especially to see me more often than not.
You two were such good friends growing up, being almost the same age, like glue when he’d come to visit the Grove.
Once you finish reading this letter, I ask that you contact him, he’s received a letter of his own and will do what needs to be done, but the two of you need to be coordinated.
Jill has long ago confided in me how the loss of his first love affected young Andrew, so I took the liberty of tracking her down. Conveniently enough, she’s a lawyer in one of those big fancy law firms like you used to work in, the kind that’s always happy for a client like Hamond to show up shopping for representation.
Get her to Glassmont Grove, Gabriel, and make sure she’s here long enough for her and Andrew to find their way back to each other. They belong together, I can feel it in my weary old bones, and this is my final wish, my final gift to Jill so she may find in her life the kind of peace I can only find in death.
I know you won’t be comfortable lying to Andrew, but I trust you to fulfill this request, and I thank you for being such a loyal friend and a good man.
Love,
Claire.
P.S. Try to find your own happiness as well, you deserve it.
I wipe away a stray tear, straightening myself and looking at Hamond Zane. “I apologize for the accusation.”
“Accepted,” he replies with a genuine smile. “But I still feel bad about what happened. Like it or not, my meddling indirectly caused this, and I’d like to make it up to you somehow.”
“How do you feel about environmentally sustainable, affordable housing, Mr. Zane?”
“I’m a big fan. I’ve been looking to partner with someone in that field but haven’t found a suitable match.”
“You should come back to Columbus with us then. I have something that might interest you.” I pick up my box and hand it over to Andy.
“You want a ride?” he offers.
“Thank you, but I think we’ll walk,” Andy replies. “Enjoy our last days in the city.”
“Miss Berger?” Hamond turns to Cornelia. “You seem to be in need of new employment, and I seem to be in need of a new VP. An impromptu interview, perhaps?” he indicates his limo.
“I’d be delighted.” Cornelia nods curtly, mouthing “Oh my God” as she passes by me.
“You’re a good person, Curls,” Andy declares once we’re alone.
“I am, aren’t I?” I reply with a smug grin.
“So modest, too.”
“Shut up.” I laugh, weaving my arm through his.
“Are we going to see your parents while we’re on the East Coast?” Andy wonders.
“Yeah, we’ll finish packing up my apartment and go to Boston, see everyone before we head back.” I look at him suspiciously. “Why?”
“I need to ask your dad’s blessing for your hand in marriage,” Andy explains.
“Oh, how old school.”
“That’s how we do it in the navy, baby.” He winks at me.
“Well, I’m going to say yes, either way.”
“I know,” he replies with a grin.
“You’re very cocky.”
“I know.” His grin widens. “You still love me, though.”
“I do,” I confirm with a sigh, tightening my hold on his arm.
“I love you, too,” he proclaims, looking at me with that addictive turquoise stare, his eyes gleaming with joy.
“I know,” I retort, and we both burst out laughing.
As we resume our stroll, a sense of calm washes over me, and with it, the realization that I finally managed to release my heart from the grip of the boy I once loved by allowing myself to open up to the man he became.
And that single word sweeps through my mind again. Forever.
THE END
Epilogue
A few years later
Phoebe
“Stop! We’re going to be late!” I giggle and push Andy away.
“I can’t help it, you’re glowing, and it’s too sexy to resist.” Andy kneads my ass and dips his head for a deep kiss.
“It’s not fair, you know how horny I get when I’m pregnant,” I protest with a moan when his mouth moves to my neck, my hands tangling in his hair.
“Mommy! Daddy!” Little voices call us from outside the door, the knob rattling, and we freeze.
“How I ever managed to find the time to knock you up again with those two is beyond me.” Andy drops his hands with a sigh. “I need a sec.”
I can’t help but laugh as he adjusts his pants, willing his erection to calm down.
“Yes, my babies?” I slide outside and kneel down in front of the two dark-haired girls in puffy white dresses, Olivia, the eldest, with deep gray eyes, and Bridgette, only two and a half years old, with vibrant turquoise iris’ just like her daddy.
“Bridgy can’t find Fifi,” Olivia informs me. “I tried helping, but I’m only four, Mommy.”
“Livvy on’y fow, Mommy,” Bridgette repeats, reaching out so I’d pick her up and resting her head on my shoulder as I do.
“You did great, Livvy,” I assure her, running my palm over her cheek in affection.
“Found it!” Mac exclaims, walking down the hall with a raggedy looking doll of a tiger and waving it around, his own four-year-old blowing past him with billowing cappuccino-brown hair and an identical puffy white dress, grabbing onto Olivia’s hand and pulling her out to The Lantern’s backyard.
“Come on, Livvy!” Audrey hurries her. “Wy and Ky are waiting!”
The girls run off, and Mac hands Fifi to Bridgette. We follow them and stop in the kitchen, watching with adoration as they rejoin Wyatt and Kylie, Brian and Trista’s twins, on the lawn.
“You think they even realize their parents are getting married today?” I wonder, watching Wyatt push a mass of dark blond hair out of his caramel brown eyes in irritation while Kylie topples over nothing but air, her chocolate colored pigtails flailing around and her blue eyes wide. Luckily, she’s saved by one of her uncles right before she lands flat on her face.
“Genetics. Unavoidable,” Zoe declares with amusement, showing up out of nowhere and circling Mac’s middle with her arms. “Bridgy fell asleep.”
“Yeah, she was pretty beat with all the excitement.” I shift to make myself more comfortable with the twenty-two-pound human sack of potatoes on my shoulder. “Where’s Peyton?”