One that he intended to keep.
“Brooke Conway, will you do me the honor of staying my wife?”
She laughed because if she didn’t laugh, she would cry. Only it was no use because she was already crying. Only these weren’t the tears of hurt and sadness that she had shed in the weeks and months after she’d left for New York. These were the best kind of tears. The happy tears. Because she was happy. Right here, in Blue Harbor, with Kyle Harrison. Forever.
Epilogue
Technically, it was their sixth wedding anniversary, but today it was the first day of the rest of their lives together. Here in Blue Harbor, where they could have everything they had ever wanted.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married. Again.” Gabby set her hands on her hips, but there was a shine in her eyes that gave away her happiness.
“It’s a vow renewal ceremony,” Brooke reminded her sister. It hadn’t been easy telling their family that they had never officially ended their marriage, but rather than be upset, everyone had been thrilled at the news.
“Well, whatever you’re calling it, I’m happy for you.”
“That makes two of us.”
Brooke turned to see her mother standing in the doorway of her childhood bedroom. Her eyes were a little more wrinkled at the corners and her hair was a bit greyer at the temple than it had been six years ago, but her smile was still as bright.
“Oh, Brooke. That dress.”
Brooke caught her reflection and smiled at what she saw. It was her own dress. Her own creation. A dress to build a dream on.
“Is everyone here?” Brooke didn’t dare look out the window for fear of jinxing anything, because even though she said she didn’t believe in fate, she did believe in superstition.
And maybe fate, she thought, with a small smile. More than once, she wondered how life might have been if her boss hadn’t finally let her go from a job that she should have left years ago, and couldn’t bring herself to admit was all wrong for her in every possible way.
“The seats are filling up and the music has started. Listen.”
They’d agreed to a backyard ceremony, something simple, with only their closest relatives. There would still be cake, of course, made by Maddie. And wine, Conway brand, no question. Amelia had insisted on catering the event, and Candy had insisted on helping, and now Brooke owed Amelia a drink for that one, but she didn’t mind. Amelia was like a sister, and she was looking forward to a chance to catch up more, and to tell her every little detail, this time holding nothing back.
It was one of the many perks to coming back to Blue Harbor. The shop was great, but it was the people who mattered most. And always had.
Brooke inched toward the window, careful to stand in the shadows of the curtain, listening to the sound of Jenna on the piano, filling the lovely spring air with the very piece she had played when she’d once walked down the aisle, as Brooke’s bridesmaid.
“I suppose we should go.” Brooke set a hand to her stomach.
“Nervous?” Gabby’s eyes widened in slight alarm, but Brooke shook her head.
“Excited,” she said, squeezing her sister’s hand.
They walked down the stairs, Brooke’s mother in front, Gabby trailing behind, everyone careful to make sure that no one accidentally stepped on the dress. Once, that would have been a valid concern, but now, nothing could stop this day from being perfect.
“You almost forgot!” Gabby hurried to the dining room and returned with a large bouquet in soft spring colors, shades of ivory and apricot, and hints of green. Brooke couldn’t name any of the varieties other than the roses, but she recognized them all the same.
It was her wedding bouquet.
“It’s lovely, Gabby Thank you.” She felt her eyes mist but Gabby held up a hand.
“There’s only one rule. You must toss it in my direction. Give me a fighting chance.”
“It’s a promise,” she said, taking in a breath.
Gabby and her mother left her then, hurrying out the back door and onto the grass, where they made their way up the aisle that divided the two sets of chairs.
“You ready, sweetheart?” Her father turned from the window and looked at her, his eyes tearing just as they had all those years ago.
“More than you can ever know,” she said, linking her arm through his.
The sun was warm on her skin as they stepped outside, and the chords from Jenna’s piano filled the yard, that had otherwise fallen hush.
Except…
Was that crying that she heard?
Her eyes scanned the crowd as her father led her to the aisle and fell upon Candy, in head to toe pink, sobbing loudly into a lace handkerchief, but grinning ear to ear.
Brooke caught her cousin Amelia fighting off a grin and rolling her eyes skyward as she turned to stand at the end of the aisle, but by then, she was already smiling. Not at the sounds of Candy loudly blowing her nose as the music swelled, but at the sight of her husband, standing a few yards in front of her.
Waiting for her.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Olivia Miles is a USA Today bestselling author of feel-good women’s fiction with a romantic twist. She has frequently been ranked as an Amazon Top 100 author, and her books have appeared on several bestseller lists, including Amazon charts, BookScan, and USA Today. Treasured by readers across the globe, Olivia’s heartwarming stories have been translated into German, French, and Hungarian, with editions in Australia in the United Kingdom.
Olivia lives on the shore of Lake Michigan with her family.
Visit www.OliviaMilesBooks.com for more.
