Epilogue

JUNE 19 DAWNED bright and sunny, with fluffy clouds chasing each other across the blue Colorado sky. The forecast predicted rain for later, but they were all praying that the ceremony would go off without a hitch before they moved to the barn for the reception.

“Are you ready?” Ana fluffed Rachel’s skirt, checking for errant wrinkles in her wedding dress. She’d been a little militant with the steamer today, but that was only because she needed to stay busy. She was just as nervous as the bride and groom, maybe more. Because there was one thing that still needed to be settled, and she was far less confident of the outcome.

“Ana, relax.” Rachel turned to regard herself in the mirror, perfectly calm and at peace. She looked stunning, the simple halter accentuating her figure and leaving her shoulders bare but for a cascade of dark curls. She’d decided to forgo a veil, instead wearing a spray of flowers on one side of her hair. She looked confident, beautiful, modern. The perfect bride.

“Oh, I’m so happy for you!” Melody threw her arms around Rachel, nearly crushing her dress again, and Ana had to restrain herself from pulling her away before she did some serious damage.

“Watch it, Mel,” Rachel said. “That ring is going to blind me if you’re not careful.”

Melody pulled away from Rachel with a laugh and held her left hand out before her. “I almost can’t believe it. It’s been three weeks and I still stare at it wondering if it’s real.”

“It’s real,” Rachel shot back. “Though I still can’t believe we’re losing you to Florida. Colorado —and Bittersweet Café —won’t be the same without you.”

They hugged again, murmuring watery endearments, and Ana blinked back tears of her own. She was thrilled for her friends, but today was the day everything changed. Rachel would be married, Melody would be moving . . . and in a few minutes they would no longer be the tight-knit little trio who had taken on the world as single women with ambitions for the future. She moved toward them and put her arms around their shoulders. “I’m going to miss this. This is the last time we’ll all be single girls together. As happy as I am for you, Rachel —and you too, Melody —I can’t help but feel a little sad.”

“No.” Rachel pulled them close again. “We’re sisters, remember? That makes us all family. You’re not losing a sister; you’re just gaining a brother. And pretty soon, another one.”

Ana brushed away the tears that had finally broken free as she hugged her two favorite women in the world, her heart full. She wasn’t normally so sappy, but it was like casting off the remnants of her old life had cast off the chains that held back her emotions too. She was crying all the time these days, and unashamedly. Just not enough to let her happy tears ruin the hour of makeup their artist had gone through this morning.

“Okay, let’s do this.” She squeezed both of them and then reached for their bouquets, lined up on the table. She handed the bigger one to Rachel, a gorgeous cluster of Colorado wildflowers that spoke of summer and sunshine and new beginnings. The smaller ones, all white to contrast with their pale-green dresses, went to Melody and Ana.

“See you when you’re married!” Melody called gaily, making a beeline for the tent flap.

Ana exchanged a long look with Rachel. “I love you, Rachel. I’m really happy for you.”

“And I’m happy for you, too.” Her knowing look made Ana blush, even though she and Bryan had been very open about their relationship. The fact that they were joined at the hip probably had something to do with it, too.

Ana took a deep breath, stepped out of the tent into the sunshine, and proceeded down the gravel walk to the small enclosed garden where the wedding was going to be held. They’d laid out the chairs in concentric squares around the little garden, a 360-degree view of the proceedings broken only by the red carpet leading through the gate to where the officiant and the groom already stood under the arbor.

She heard the soft murmur of Russian in the nearest chairs, Alex’s family come from near and far to witness his wedding. And then she glimpsed Bryan and Justin up front next to Alex, all of them looking dapper and clean-shaven and excited for the proceedings.

The cellist began the first strains of the wedding processional, the prelude to Bach’s Cello Suite no. 1. They had no flower girl or ring bearer, but Alex’s sister, Dina, as the youngest, started down the aisle first. Then came Ana, and then Melody, taking their places opposite the men.

Finally, all heads swiveled to see the bride poised at the edge of the aisle, glowing with happiness, her eyes already fixed on her groom. Alex’s face lit up, his gaze following Rachel all the way down the aisle until she came to rest opposite him in front of the reverend. He took her hand and bent to whisper something to her, which made her smile even wider.

Ana wouldn’t remember the words of the ceremony later; she was too busy watching Bryan across the aisle, her heart pounding with nerves. He gave her a quick, questioning frown. Even from eight feet away he could tell when something was bothering her. She flashed him a smile in return so he knew that everything was okay and valiantly attempted to keep her mind on the ceremony.

And then it was over. The bride and groom turned and walked down the aisle, beaming at their guests as they went, resonating with happiness over their union. Ana was next, and Bryan met her again in the center to escort her back down the aisle.

“You’re never this distracted,” he whispered. “Is something wrong?”

“No, not wrong.” At his curious look, she said, “I’ll tell you later; I promise.”

But later seemed like it would never come. There were the photos of the wedding party together, and then the reception, which was probably the most spectacular feast ever served in a barn, course after course of delicious food and drinks, courtesy of Rachel’s chef friend Caleb and, of course, the Solid Grounds Coffee Company. When the evening finally turned toward dancing, and the day faded into a sparkle of lights overhead, Ana took Bryan by the hand and pulled him outside.

She took a deep breath, inhaling the cool quiet away from the noisy, warm interior of the barn. “It’s a beautiful night. The rain was threatening, but I think we’re finally in the clear.”

“We are in the clear.” Bryan glanced around and then tugged her around the corner of the barn and into his arms. “You know I’ve been waiting to do this all day.”

“Me too,” she whispered and let him prove exactly how much he’d missed her. When she finally regained the presence of mind to pull away, she was feeling even more shaky and breathless. “You know, someone’s going to catch us.”

“We’re just kissing, Ana.” His playful smile said he remembered the last time he’d told her the same thing, the night they’d finally succumbed to the pull of attraction and taken their relationship from friends to something more.

“And this isn’t a proposition,” she added.

He grinned. “Or a proposal.”

“Well . . .” Ana gave him a sly smile, hoping it didn’t look as shaky as it felt. “You told me that when it came time to propose to you, you wanted to make sure your hair looked good. Your hair looks pretty fantastic today.”

He stared at her. “Ana?”

“I know it hasn’t been long, but you also know when I figure out what I want, I don’t waste time going after it.”

“Um, yeah. You waited, what, one day before opening up your own business?”

“Shh.” She placed a finger on his lips. “Don’t interrupt. I had this all figured out.”

He pulled her against him. “Of course you did.”

“And what I’ve realized from the last two months is that you’re exactly what I never knew I wanted. What I never knew I needed. I’m not sure exactly who I am yet, but I know I’m more of me when I’m with you than anywhere else.” She took a deep breath. “So, with that said, Bryan Shaw, will you marry me?”

A delighted smile spread across his face. “Analyn Sanchez, I can think of nothing I want more.” And then he crushed his lips to hers in a kiss that washed away any fears she might have had about his feelings for her.

When she pulled away, however, it wasn’t because she’d had her fill of him —she was beginning to think that could take a lifetime. Rather, it was the distinct, cold plop of a raindrop on her forehead. Followed by half a dozen of its friends.

Ana squinted at the sky and blinked as one fell directly into her eye. “Really?” she demanded of no one in particular.

Bryan laughed, but still held her close. “I’m sorry the weather didn’t cooperate with what was admittedly a pretty perfect proposal.”

Ana sighed happily and looked into Bryan’s face, his expression holding amusement and tenderness and so much love that it made her catch her breath again. She finally knew the truth.

“I don’t need perfect. I just need you.”