Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“I’m surprised the police let you in,” I admit. “They don’t usually do that on cop shows.”
“I didn’t really give them a choice. And I needed to get to you.”
I look up at him and see the worry, the love, in his eyes.
“I’m okay. I really am. I’m pressing charges, and June’s pressing charges, and I don’t think either of them will be bothering me again. Oh, Wolfe and Zeke are also pressing arson charges.”
Suddenly, Tanner takes my hand, wraps his other arm around my back, and begins to lead me in a slow dance here on the sand, with the water singing around us.
“I was so worried that I wouldn’t get to do this again,” he says with a tender smile. “That I wouldn’t get to do a lot of things with you.”
“You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”
“I don’t ever want to get rid of you. In fact…”
He stops swaying and then kneels.
Tanner pulls a ring out of his pocket and holds it up to me.
“I’ve waited a very long time to do this. I think we both had to live through a whole different life to circle back around to each other, and I’m glad we did. It gave us both insight into what really matters and what we want out of life.
“For me, that’s you. I want to be by your side for the rest of my days, rooting for you, building each other up. I want to plant our own roots here in Huckleberry Bay with a family. I want a life with you, Sarah. I know, in my heart, that no matter how long I have with you, it’ll never be enough, but I want every single minute of it. I’m greedy like that.”
I don’t even bother to brush away the happy tears falling down my cheeks.
“Will you marry me, pretty girl?”
I laugh and nod, and then he slips the gorgeous diamond onto my finger and stands to hug me close.
“Of course, I’ll marry you.”
He kisses me, slow and easy, tickling my lips with his. And when he pulls back, he cups my cheeks in his hands.
“I love you so much, I ache with it, Sarah.”
“I love you, too.” I tip my forehead to his and hold on tight. “Now, let’s go get started on those roots.”
He grins and kisses me softly, then more urgently.
“As you wish.”
June 20, 2022
* * *
Dear Diary,
It’s been one hell of a crazy month. I just got word that Anthony and Bridget have both been sentenced to prison. They plead guilty to all charges, which actually shocked me, but I suspect that Anthony’s attorney talked him into it. They won’t get out of jail for a long, long time. I feel bad because Bridget gave birth in prison, and her family will raise the baby. But it’s probably for the best.
It seems like every day I find something new that Bridget messed with. Nothing has been dangerous, just odd. And, if I hadn’t known that it was her, I would have felt like I was losing my mind when I found it.
I think that’s what she wanted because Anthony was making her lose her’s.
But, life is moving forward, and it’s never been better! I moved in with Tanner, and we converted the guesthouse into a studio for me. I’m working hard to succeed as an artist. It’s scary and exciting, all at the same time! There are some fun projects ahead that I can’t wait to dive into, including work for Three Sisters and a birthday project that a sweet older man has hired me to do for his wife.
What a wonderful life I have. I’m so grateful!
TTYL,
Sarah
Epilogue
June
Three Months Later
* * *
God, why does he have to be so…Apollo? So tall and dark and muscled. So fucking hot that it makes me grouchy.
He’s standing over there with Wolfe and Zeke, having a beer and joking around. We’re all at Lighthouse Pizza, celebrating the reopening of Wolfe’s workshop, now that the building has been rebuilt, and they can start taking customers again.
I’m happy for them. It’s been a rough time with the investigation and then rebuilding.
And now we know who burned it to the ground.
I glance over and see Sarah laughing with Tanner as he tries to show her how to play pool.
My God, we almost lost her.
A shiver runs through me at the thought, and I turn to grab my own beer, taking a pull.
“What are you doing over here all by yourself?”
I turn and find that Apollo’s walked over to join me.
The man drives me up the goddamn wall, in the best and worst ways.
“Just taking it all in.”
“You did a good job on the garage, June.”
“I just pulled the crew together.” I shrug a shoulder. “You know I’ve been busy with the inn. I didn’t have much extra time to be at the garage.”