Epilogue

One Year Later

It was a warm, breezy day up on the hillside, where the frame of a new house sat, no roof or walls, just long planks of fresh smelling, cleanly-cut wood.

And near the front door, which was really just an opening now, Jack stood waiting for his bride, shifting his weight a bit nervously from one foot to another.

Leo squeezed his shoulder. “You okay, man?”

“Yes. Definitely,” Jack said. But the truth was, he was hyperventilating. A little. And he could feel sweat dripping down his back despite the cool day. He adjusted his black felt Stetson that matched his tux coat.

“You’re not worried she’s not coming, are you?” Leo asked as bluntly as only he could.

Jack glanced at his watch. Five minutes had become ten. Juliet was never late. Except she did have a tendency not to show up at her weddings. He cast his friend a wary glance.

“She loves you,” Leo said, flashing a grin. “Believe.”

He nodded. He loved Juliet with all his heart. And he was pretty sure Juliet felt the same way. And he couldn’t wait for the rest of their life to begin.

She’d left all her doubts about those past relationships behind her, hadn’t she? And despite his past, she didn’t have any doubts about him, did she? Because he’d left his at the door a long time ago. She wasn’t going to bolt, was she?

Just then, the strains of a violin were lifted sweetly on the cool autumn breeze. From the audience, he caught his granny’s eye. She was a vision in blue, with a sassy hat to match. She waved and blew him a kiss, and he blew one right back.

Around the tent the caterers had erected near the bottom of the hill near the creek, Tessa appeared. She walked carefully up the incline until she reached the grassy aisle between the seats, smiling. As she walked up the aisle, she waved at her daughter in Mrs. Teeter’s arms. Little Rosie waved back with her chubby baby hands.

Viv turned the corner next, also smiling widely.

The tension between his shoulders eased a little. Okay, he’d learned that if the sisters smile, then all is well with the world.

Noah was next, loving every minute of his walk up the aisle, showing off his black tux with a teal tie to echo the bridesmaids, which was perfect for his dual job of walking the line between bridesmaid and groomsman.

Then the music changed, and suddenly there were Juliet’s mom and grandma, standing on either side of Juliet and linking arms.

And Juliet…well. He’d gotten better at using words but had none at all for his bride. She was a glorious cloud of white, her long dress blowing out a little in the gentle breeze, a simple crown of flowers in her hair. As his gaze locked onto hers, her beautiful lips curved up in a joyous, bright smile directed straight at him.

And that’s when he knew that she was not having second thoughts, that she loved him despite whatever baggage he might carry, and that those fears he had about being left…well, he supposed those did stem from his momma. But he’d gotten past that. He’d forgiven her. And hoped she’d come to peace with her new life. Juliet wasn’t going to ditch him like his mom had. And as far as she was concerned…third time’s a charm, right?

Then she kissed and hugged her mom and grandma and left them to walk up the aisle to meet him.

…

The sun was out, the sky was pure blue, and the bright fall day smelled like wildflowers and pine. The creek was gently gurgling, and the colors on the trees were brilliant hues of gold and red. Juliet hugged her mom and grandma, adjusted her crown of flowers, and pointed herself up the aisle, toward the home that one day she and Jack would share. The one they’d planned together, that Jack had designed to sit perfectly on this beautiful hill overlooking the creek. Where Jack had already taught her how to fish in honor of his grandfather.

Come to think of it, it really didn’t matter where their home was. Because Jack was her home, no matter where they lived.

Everyone she loved was there. Besides family, there were the Teeters. Sharon. Jerry Caldwell and Sam Iverson, who had given them the gift of a small magnolia tree, just three feet tall and already planted it in their yard-to-be. Louise was there, too, and Doug, but today Louise had left Daisy behind. Aaron and Hunter were there, too, Char and her colleagues at Headspace. And Jordan, who turned out wasn’t so bad after all.

Juliet caught Jack’s eye. He looked relieved, and maybe a little nervous. But then he smiled, his eyes full of love and the easygoing charm she’d come to know so well. Then he raised his hand to remove his dark felt hat, a cowboy sign of respect.

That day so long ago, when she’d run into city hall, she’d asked her dad for a sign, and he’d sent her Jack.

Now, in the far distance, the water tower sat, nestled in among the fall colors coating the hills. Today the tower was hung with a giant banner, Congrats Jack and Juliet, a gift from the Teeters, who had the hardware to make it work.

“Thank you, Daddy,” Juliet whispered to the heavens. “I didn’t know it at the time, but you sent me just what I needed.”

This was what she wanted. A man who she could be herself with, who loved her just as she was. And you know what? She was all right with who she was. A work in progress, but a good work. And good progress.

Jack stood there, his eyes glued on her, like he couldn’t look away. And she was grinning from ear to ear, so wide that her cheeks hurt, but she couldn’t stop.

As she got closer, she looked into his eyes, the same color as the autumn sky. In those eyes she saw everything she’d ever need. He gave the tiniest nod.

Then, without wasting another moment, she gathered up her dress and stepped joyfully through the framed entrance and right into the rest of her life.

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