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Epilogue

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ONE MONTH LATER

Faith was sure that she had ruined the crisp white apron that covered her from collarbone to knees, but Nico didn’t seem to be worried about it.

“My mother can get any stains out, especially tomato sauce.”

He kissed her temple, and she tilted her head away from him.

“I’m so sweaty!”

She laughed as she protested, and stared down at her hands, which were covered with ricotta cheese and breadcrumbs. Nico was teaching her how to make a lasagna, and from the corner of her eye, she could see Thomas frowning into a large bowl of what might have been cookie dough.

Nico’s sister Teresina, who was all of thirteen, was batting her big, dark eyes at him, but he didn’t seem to notice as she explained something to him, her bright red lips moving quickly as she spoke.

“I don’t think he stands a chance of getting away from her,” Faith observed, smiling as she watched her cousin, who looked as if he was taking his baking lesson rather seriously.

The two of them, along with her uncles and Aunt Sarah, had come into the city to see the first day of construction on the restaurant addition, but as Nico’s mother said, watching didn’t pay the bills, so they were put to work right away.

None of them minded a bit.

Ruby and Evie had both wanted to come, but then came down with summer colds. Aunt Catherine suspected it had something to do with her oldest daughter’s traveling, but even as she sneezed into a handkerchief, Ruby denied that anything bad could have come from such a lovely trip.

“More hats,” Thomas had whispered to Faith, loud enough to make Evie smile as she patted at her own nose.

“I heard that, Thomas!” Ruby complained, grabbing a small pillow from the sofa where she sat with her sister to throw at her cousin. It missed and smacked Faith on the head instead, and the four of them spent a happy afternoon laughing together over that as well as Ruby’s tales of adventure.

Aunt Sarah had assured Uncle Sam that she would stay away from the ovens in the d'Amici store, and Faith remembered the story about her nearly burning down First Steps, back when she was younger than Faith was now.

“What are you thinking about, my Faith?”

Nico was watching her, although he stood a few feet away, looking out into the store where the aisles were busy with customers, some of whom stared at the newcomers, probably wondering what the d’Amicis meant by having these strangers working for them.

Strangers who wore fancy clothes compared to their own, even if they were all covered with large aprons spotted with bits of dough and sauce.

As soon as they returned to Newport following Nico’s exoneration, he had asked to speak with her parents, and after gaining their approval, began to take her for walks in the evenings, after Thomas had walked her home from Uncle Will’s and the three of them had spent mornings together discussing new projects.

When he started to call her my Faith, she didn’t bother to hide her pleasure in the sound of it, and even now, couldn’t help smiling as she heard the words yet again.

“There is so much more to everyone in my family than I ever imagined. Does that make sense?”

He nodded at this, glancing around to see where her aunt and uncles were, and rested his gaze on Thomas, who was still indifferent to his younger sister’s flirtation.

“When I was a boy, I didn’t see my parents as anyone except my parents, as if they had no life before me, or outside of me. It was only a few years ago that I began to pay more attention, and realized that they are entirely their own people, and fascinating people at that. This is what you mean, is it not?”

Faith wiped her hands on a damp towel and walked over to him, taking one of his hands in her own.

“I’m sorry, I think I'm still a bit sticky.”

He laughed as she continued.

“But yes, that’s just what I meant. Thomas’ parents told us a terrible story the day he pushed you, and it made me realize how much of a charmed life I have led. Until now . . .”

When he looked down at her, she saw that he had a bit of dough in his hair. Instead of reaching to pull it out, she left it alone, considering that there most likely would be more for him to wash out when the day was done.

He frowned and squeezed her hand tightly.

“Until now? Your life is no longer charmed?”

Uncle Will’s laugh rang out, and they both turned their heads to find Nico’s father gesturing wildly as he explained something to their uncle, who found it most amusing.

A few customers who were waiting in line joined in, and Uncle Will rang up their purchases, smiling widely at each of them in turn.

“Definitely. But I think all that’s happened this summer has made me truly realize how blessed I am, and although it’s been difficult, and I’ve worried so much about the people I love, I know that someone listens when I’m praying, and that those prayers are answered.”

Nico tugged her a bit closer.

“Not always as we ask them to be, though, are they? Sometimes the plan God has for us is better than we could ever expect.”

The sounds of those who crowded the bustling business faded as they stared into each other’s eyes, sure that no matter what the world had in store for them, they would have each other, as well as their faith in God to guide them.

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THE END

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Cliff Walk Cousins continues with Ruby's story, Abide in Love, available in October 2021.

Preorder from your favorite e-book retailer now!

When Ruby falls for a charming man who is already betrothed to another woman, will a friend from her past capture her heart before she is tempted from the Christian principles by which she was raised?

Eight years ago, Ruby Travers met a sweet, smiling boy as they traveled across the Atlantic on a luxury ocean liner with their families. Countless letters have passed between them, and Matthew is certain he is in love with the vivacious, beautiful girl he spent hours with on that boat long ago. When he finally returns from Europe intent on meeting her again, will Ruby's affection be dangerously engaged when he reveals his true feelings?

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Don't miss the beginning of the Davenport family saga with book one of Cliff Walk Courtships, Throne of Grace.

Throne of Grace, Arthur and Josie's story, is FREE from

your favorite e-book retailer!

Josie is content as a maid in a rich cottager's mansion along the Cliff Walk of beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, but the arrival of her employer's handsome, pensive son tempts her into a relationship that while chaste, is forbidden between their social classes in the Gilded Age of 1893.

After travels abroad have led Arthur in search of a deeper connection with his Lord, he returns home to find love with his mother's maid, a Christian girl with a heart full of love and charity.  Can they overcome their families' refusal to accept their attachment, or is their relationship doomed from their very first meeting on the romantic Cliff Walk?

All three books in the Cliff Walk Courtships Christian historical romance series are available on audio.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cecily K. Wolfe is the author of the award-winning, best selling Cliff Walk Courtships Christian historical romance series as well as the sequel series, Cliff Walk Cousins. She writes contemporary young adult and women's fiction under the name Cecily Wolfe, as well as contemporary sweet romance with her teenage daughter as Alessa Martel.

She graduated from Kent State University with degrees in English and library science, and enjoys her career as a librarian in Cleveland, Ohio, where she lives with her daughters - both of whom are published authors.