Two weeks later
“Thank you all for coming today. I’ll cut to the chase. My name is Bridget Meyers, and I grew up in Last Chance. It wasn’t always easy.”
The woman at the podium looked around.
She’d worked at the accountant’s office when he’d been relocated to his cabin in Last Chance. The same business Zander had repeatedly asked him to take over.
Now Bridget was pregnant if he wasn’t mistaken. At least, that was what Toni had said when Bridget had stepped up to the mic.
Toni shifted beside him and wrapped her arm around his waist so she could lay her head on his shoulder. They’d chosen a spot at the back of the warehouse where the press conference was being held, but it wouldn’t be long before they had to either head for the truck or find a chair.
Toni had been out of the hospital only days, on crutches because of her broken leg.
“I lost people I loved. Many of them. Recently two very special people have come back into my life, and every day we make the most of it. Never taking for granted even one moment together.”
Toni looked up at him.
He touched his lips to hers.
“I love you.”
He smiled.
“That’s why I’m pleased to announce the renovation phase of the Annabelle Filks Memorial Center.”
His head came up, and he heard his mom draw in an audible breath before she lifted her hands to cover her mouth.
Jeff whispered, “That’s why Conroy told us to be here.”
Beside his mom, Brett put his arm around her shoulders. He hadn’t yet acknowledged Jeff.
He hoped they could change that, and his brother would forgive him.
“In conjunction with Hope Mansion, the local church, and the community of Last Chance, this warehouse will be repurposed into a community center. A coffee shop and bookstore. A VR lounge and gamer wing are part of a drop-in center for teens. A computer lab. A full gym. An arcade. We will house two dorm rooms and full facilities that will make up a youth shelter for anyone under eighteen needing somewhere safe to go.
“Classrooms with counselors and teachers who sign up to volunteer. The warehouse will also feature a trampoline wing and—or so I’m told—an ‘epic’ kids play area where moms can watch from coffee shop tables while their kids tear it up all the way to the rafters.” She lifted both hands. “Safely, of course.”
Toni chuckled.
Bridget pointed to the easels on one side. “All the plans have been laid out. I’m happy to announce we have all our permits in place and are ready to begin the work first thing on Monday.”
A little redheaded girl jumped out of her chair and lifted her fist into the air. “Yes!”
Jeff grinned.
“For a long time, I thought no one in this town saw me. That no one cared what happened to me. Or who hurt me.” Bridget grabbed the edges of the podium. “That’s not going to happen anymore. In Last Chance, no one falls through the cracks.”
Toni curled into him.
He held her tight while she fought the tears he knew would be in her eyes. “Let’s go, Love.”
She nodded against his chest.
He walked to the door with her, and they headed outside into the light of day. Toni, brave and passionate, and Jeff, a son of Last Chance who hadn’t fallen through the cracks.
He looked up at the sky. Thank You, Lord.
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Turn the page for the first 2 chapters of the 10th and final story in the Last Chance County series: Expired End