Epilogue

Felicity sat in the farmhouse’s living room with Edna, Tyler, and Bruno, flipping through an interior design magazine while they waited for Scott to finish getting ready. It was the third weekend in March, a big day for Quail Hollow’s hometown hero. Once Scott came downstairs, they’d pile into her car and make a trip into Fort Wayne for the upcoming festivities.

She thanked her lucky stars for the hundredth time that Scott had come back last fall when he had, helping her get out of her lease on the rental house and convincing her and Tyler to move into the farmhouse instead. Rather than going toward rent, the money she made at her new job had gone toward a newer, more reliable vehicle. One that had come in handy countless times over an especially messy winter. Not that she’d complained once about the weather. Snow on the ground meant more time inside with her son…and her new fiancé.

The fiancé who had better hurry up if he wanted to make it to his own ceremony.

She snuck a peek at the others and found them appearing far more patient than her. Tyler looked adorable in the shirt and tie Lauren had helped her pick out a few weeks ago, and Edna was still beaming over the new hairdo she’d gotten in town yesterday. As for herself, Felicity was doing her best not to squirm and fidget. Getting this dressed up wasn’t something she did too often.

“Hey, Felicity? Can I borrow you for a minute?”

She glanced up at the sound of Scott’s voice and met Edna’s amused gaze.

“His tie,” the older woman whispered. “I’ll bet you five dollars he needs help with his tie.”

Felicity rose on a soft laugh. “Oh, no. I’m not taking that bet.”

“Darn it. No one ever wants to bet me anymore.”

“I’ll bet you something, Grandma,” Tyler said.

“You’re on, kid. Now, what should we bet on?”

Felicity shook her head at the two schemers as she made her way up the farmhouse’s steps and into her and Scott’s room. Well, what would be their room. Right now, it was a framed and studded mess. But the drywall work wasn’t far off, nor the painting and final trim. She couldn’t wait to see the finished product.

Hopefully, it’d come out as perfectly rustic as Tyler’s room had.

“Yeah, baby?”

He turned from the dresser mirror, and her heart stuttered. His slate colored, tailor-made suit looked perfect on him, the crisp white button-down beneath it showing off what remained of the tan he’d gotten on their cruise to Turks and Caicos over Christmas. It’d been the most magical vacation she’d ever experienced, and she couldn’t wait to go back.

He promised for their honeymoon, they would.

Scott took in her appearance with an appreciative gaze and let out a low whistle. “You look stunning, Fee.”

She blushed at the compliment as she crossed the room, her heels clicking softly across its bare wood floors. Her navy, off-the-shoulder dress had been his idea, and the matching pea coat that waited downstairs and once belonged to his grandfather was Edna’s idea. Mother Nature didn’t often play nice during March in Indiana; today’s mid-forties temperatures weren’t entirely unexpected. And though she’d much rather be heading out in jeans and hiking boots, today’s ribbon-cutting required a little fancier attire.

Wayne Arena’s plans had been approved and passed with flying colors late last fall. It would be the region’s premier sports complex, drawing in leagues from all across the tri-state area. And who better to represent such an amazing addition to their corner of the state than its new director: semi-retired Scott Gillie.

He pulled her in for a sweet kiss then pointed to what had to be the saddest attempt at a Windsor knot she’d ever seen. “Can you help me straighten this? I just can’t quite get it to lie flat.”

Yep, good thing she hadn’t taken that bet. She loosened the fabric and smoothed it over his lapels before starting over.

“You know, not too long ago you didn’t want my help.”

He trailed a hand down her bare shoulder. “Have I mentioned before that I can be a bit of an idiot at times?”

“No.” She laughed, looping one end of the tie around the other before threading it through the middle. “But your grandmother does like to remind us of that frequently.”

“Less frequently now that you and Tyler are here.”

She finished the knot and gently slid it into place. “Then it’s a good thing you came back when you did.”

“No regrets.” He took her hand in his and pressed a kiss across her knuckles.

“No?”

Scott shook his head. “Not a one.”

He turned to check her handiwork in the mirror then thanked her with a peck on the cheek. A peck that turned into a second peck closer to her mouth, followed by a kiss on the lips…

“Will you two lovebirds stop making out up there and come on already? I’ll be dead before a shovel ever hits the ground.”

“We’ll be right down,” Scott called, then dropped his forehead to hers. “You’re right. We should have sent Edna and Tyler over with Lauren’s crew.”

“And miss out on all the badgering on our drive over? I think not.” She wove her fingers into his and tugged him toward the door. “Besides, your public awaits, Mr. Gillie.”

“I still can’t believe J.B. flew in for this. I figured after the finals and me leaving Columbus that he would have dumped me for sure.”

“Are you kidding? You taking time off to heal brought even more media attention than your MVP status in the finals. Just because you made the switch from the majors to co-captain of the new Mad Hatters team doesn’t mean he won’t try to keep riding on your financial coattails a few more years.”

“True. Though, if he even thinks about trying to get a cut of my salary once Wayne Arena gets built, we’re gonna have words.”

“Yeah, I think it’d be tough to sneak away with a percentage of the director’s wages.” Felicity shrugged. “Then again, this is J.B. we’re talking about. He’s done crazier things before.”

“Yes, he has.” Scott tugged her into his chest with a smile. “Something I’m forever grateful for because his craziest idea brought me you.”

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