Epilogue

I needed to go home.

Although I considered London to be our home now too, Nate’s cabin was more than that. It was our sanctuary and exactly where I wanted to be more than anywhere else right now.

I dozed a little on the way but woke when the truck’s engine coughed to a halt at the top of the steep road that led to ‘Siren Bay.’ We headed down, just as the sun rose amidst a light rain.

The moment I saw the cabin, my heart lifted, and the sound of the sea filled me with a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in a long time.

While Nate quickly went around back to turn the power back on, I waited on the front porch, watching the sky turn from a deep blue, streaked with pink, to a stormy gray. My nose savored the salty air as I closed my eyes and listened to the seagulls squawk, and the gentle tapping of raindrops falling onto the wooden veranda.

When I heard Nate’s footsteps behind me, I opened my eyes again and leaned back against him as his arms went around me.

“How long are we staying?”

I sighed. “Forever?”

Nate chuckled. “Tempting.”

I swiveled around and put my arms around his neck, pulling his head toward me so that I could kiss him. “We’ll stay a few days, then head back to London.”

He nodded and yawned. “Okay. What do you want to do now?”

“Go to bed.”

Nate grinned.

“To sleep,” I added, with a smile.

He feigned disappointment. “And after that?”

“I don’t know, what did you have in mind?” I asked him.

His expression became sheepish. “Monopoly?”

I tutted and rolled my eyes. “Thought you wanted to cheer me up?”

“I’ll let you win again.”

My mouth dropped open. “You did not let me win!”

He laughed. “C’mon Halley, everyone knows you buy Mayfair as soon as you get the chance!”

I shook my head and playfully slapped his arm. “Fine. A rematch it is.”

As the rain began to fall with a greater intensity, a low growl of thunder emanated from a cluster of charcoal-tinted clouds out to sea.

Taking hold of Nate’s hand, I led him into the cabin and closed the door firmly on the oncoming storm.