Epilogue (One Year Later)

“Are you sure you can’t walk? We can take our time, go slow. Avery would be so pleased to see you walking.”

Mom dropped the paper towel in the garbage bin. She sighed and dropped her shoulders. I hated seeing her disappointed. “I’m not getting much sleep, Mom. I’m exhausted. My left side’s not strong enough today. I’d end up walking in circles or falling on my ass, and everyone will be watching. I’d rather not.”

The interior of the church demanded reverence. My gaze was drawn from the warmth of the polished wood floors up to the prisms of light shining in through the magnificent stained-glass windows and up again to the high wooden arches.

The ushers stepped aside as Mom and I approached. Normally when I had to use the chair I wheeled myself around, but today Mom had insisted on pushing me. We headed up the centre aisle. Flowers decorated the curved rows of chairs on either side.

The minister stood at the front of the church with Avery at his side. Avery looked as handsome and nervous as I’d ever seen him. He smiled as we made our way to the front and then offered me a hand out of the chair. I took a seat in the front row, reserved for immediate family, on the groom’s side of the church. Mom pushed my chair out of the way and joined me.

Soft choral music played. Everyone from the covey was here. The members and their families filled the chairs on the groom’s side to balance the guests on the bride’s side. I turned in my seat and exchanged hushed hellos with those closest. Mason appeared at the back of the church and looked around until he spotted us. He looked handsome as well today, his blond hair a stark contrast to his charcoal suit.

He nodded hello to Avery and sat on the far side of my mother. “Parking was impossible.”

A few minutes later, James arrived. That tiny thrill of relief I experienced each time I saw him still hadn’t gone away. He wore to perfection the steel-grey suit I’d chosen for him today, and he took my hand as soon as he was seated.

After I assured him I was, he turned to say hello to Eden and Alex, who were seated behind us. I took in the strong angle of his jaw and the crinkle at his eye created by his smile and thanked god he’d answered his phone that day I reached out. We’d both been miserable, wallowing in the ruin of our relationship. I hadn’t been able to travel, so he’d come to me, and day by day, we repaired the damage.

The organ music came to an end and the congregation shifted in their seats. When the music started up again, the maid of honour appeared on Gabe Aucoin’s arm. Behind them, another bridesmaid and groomsman lined up. Avery and the minister turned to watch, and the unmistakable chords of Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” began.

The entire congregation stood as Victoria made her way up the aisle on the arm of her father. She’d chosen a form-fitting dress that flared below her hips, and pointed satin shoes poked out beneath the hem with each step. She radiated happiness. I thought she was absolutely gorgeous, and her father beamed as though the world were watching. A diaphanous veil trailed behind her. Victoria’s mother stood across the aisle from me, tears in her eyes and a handkerchief bunched in her hand.

It was a beautiful ceremony. I cried, though I tried to hide it. James slipped me a tissue and rolled his eyes. After the wedding, we drove the short distance to the Shangri-La Hotel, where the reception was being held. We stayed through dinner and the first dance. I was about to suggest to James that we leave when I saw Mason take Mom’s hand and pull her to the dance floor. She protested, but I could tell she was having a good time. They, too, had mended fences. I’d never seen her laugh as much as when she was in Mason’s company.

“Let’s go,” James said, sensing I’d had enough. We thanked our hosts, wished Avery and Victoria a safe honeymoon and headed home. I fell asleep on the way and woke to the sound of the garage door rumbling open. I left the wheelchair in our new Volvo and went inside on James’s arm.

The house still had that new-wood scent. I inhaled a breath of it deep into my lungs. Ben had delivered exactly what he’d promised in the plans—a modern version of my old cottage—and I loved every inch of it. We’d moved in a month ago, and Mom had taken over the condo so as to be close to the university, though she had a suite here with us as well.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” James said, and left me to undress. When he didn’t come back, I knew where I’d find him.

“I relieved the nanny,” James said. “She’s gone to her room.” He lounged in the overstuffed armchair with Briana cradled in his arms. Sebastian’s words had been a cruel lie. Our little miracle had been delivered safely almost four months ago. She had copper highlights in her hair, like her mother, and eyes that promised to be the same changeable blue-green as her father’s. It was impossible for me to believe there’d been a time I’d not been ready for this tiny girl we’d named after my father.

“This came for you,” James said, pointing to a box on the table beside him. “Alison brought it up before she went to her room. No return address.”

I picked up the box and peeled off the outer wrapper. Inside were business cards. I unfolded the note on top. When you’re ready – Sam. I handed James the note, slipped one of the cards out and smiled. It read Jordan Taylor Investigations.

Lover Betrayed is a companion book to The Gift Legacy. It’s a retelling of Secret Sky from Emelynn Taylor’s love interest’s point of view. You can purchase it from your favourite retailer right here. Turn the page for an excerpt from Lover Betrayed.