“We are here for the town meeting,” Rosalie announced.
“It’s being held in the ballroom,” he replied, pointing toward a set of double doors. “You’re the last to arrive.”
Rosalie walked up to the double doors and spun back around. “Do we have a right to intrude?”
Paden chuckled as he walked up and opened the door, revealing a darkened room.
“I thought the meeting was in this room?” Rosalie asked, taking a tentative step forward.
“Surprise!” came a collective shout.
The lights were lit, revealing a ballroom filled to capacity with men, women and children. In front was Lois Addis holding her arms open wide. Rosalie rushed into her grandmother’s arms and embraced her warmly.
Leaning back against the wall, Paden watched as Rosalie was approached by nearly everyone in the room, providing her with well-wishes and loving embraces. He was content standing back, watching the genuine smile on his wife’s face. That was something he would never tire of.
His gamble had paid off. He had a willing wife, a clever partner, and he would spend his days ensuring she never regretted her choice to marry him. It may have taken him longer than intended to make Rosie his own, but she had been worth the wait.
After what seemed like hours, Rosalie walked back up to him and asked, “When did you have time to plan all of this?”
Paden wrapped his arms around her. “Were you surprised?”
“I was,” she admitted, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him to her. “Again, when did you have time to plan this?”
He gave her a boyish grin. “Once you agreed to partner with me, I anticipated our assignment would take a few days to solve, and I had correctly assumed that we would be blissfully happy after we completed the case. So much so, that you would want to visit your nana to share the good news.”
“Aren’t you the cocky agent?” she joked.
Paden kissed her, his lips lingering. “I wanted you to see that the town appreciated all that you gave up in the pursuit of justice for your father and the other victims. They have been rooting for you, hoping that you would catch Bill Garrett and finally decide to come home.” His eyes scanned the room to see familiar faces. “They have missed you, too.”
“I love you,” she said. “Thank you for doing this.”
Growing serious, he confessed, “We carved out different paths for ourselves, paths that would never have been available if we had stayed in Waterglen, but we eventually found our way back to each other. You have always been a remarkable woman, but now your experiences and newfound talents have allowed us to partner together as Pinkerton agents. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
Lois Addis walked up to them. “Are you ready to go home?” she asked.
With love in her eyes, and a smile on her lips, Rosalie responded, “I am already home.”
The End
Coming Soon by this Author:
An Agent for Alexina
The Pinkerton Matchmaking Series
Release Date: August 2019
Don’t forget to join us at the Pinkerton Matchmaker Readers Group on Facebook so you can stay up-to-date on all the new releases!
About the Author:
Laura Beers attended Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. She is an avid reader, though she was a reluctant convert. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance and loves naps.
Besides being a full-time homemaker to her three kids, she loves waterskiing, hiking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Currently, Laura Beers resides in South Carolina.
You can reach her at [email protected]
