Epilogue

One month later

Mountain Cove High School All American Fourth of July Picnic

“I thought this was the high school alumni picnic.” Jason said in a half-complaint, Bryce tugging at his leash as throngs crowded around them. “I think half of Colorado is here.”

“Well, surely everybody for three counties. This is rural America, Mr. World Traveler. Nothing much goes on, so when something does, we get a good turnout.”

“It’s more like a county fair.”

“Oh, we have that too. And it’s ten times this size.” Kelley laughed, her happiness complete. Her brothers had liked Jason at first sight, but she’d have loved every inch of him even if they hadn’t. And, every second of their time together, too. However, the fact that he fit Hearts Crossing like a glove only added to her blessings. And today was the day to show him off. Not exactly as her fiancé, not yet. But something far more significant than “boyfriend.” She snorted. Such a high school term.

Yet here she was.

Scents from dozens of food booths filled the air as they headed for the Herding Competition held on the football field. Hooper’s Border collie Oreo was a top contender. “I think I could find the energy to power down a corndog,” Jason announced as the scent bounced around the breeze, then looked down at her. “If that thought doesn’t offend you.”

Kelley playfully stuck out her tongue. “How many times must I say it, cowboy? I am not judgmental against carnivores.”

“I know.” His left arm hugged her hard. “I think we’ve been making a great team.”

“That we do.” A sweet warmth covered her along with the summer sun.

“I meant, a great team cooking together.”

“That too.” She smiled as his arm tightened. “So let’s hit the faculty booth. Supposedly their ‘dogs are the best in three counties. Honey-dipped cornbread coating compliments of yours truly. Besides, Kenn’s working the booth and roped Christy into helping him. We gotta go talk some trash.”

Jason’s phone buzzed, and he took a peek. He shook his head and burst into laughter loud enough to compete with the din of the picnic.

“What is it?” Kelley was ready to laugh, too, even though the corner of her eye saw Bobbi Doering on the fast approach. Maybe Miss Friends-with-burger-benefits didn’t know Kelley and Jason were an item now and wanted to compete. Her heat flopped a little.

“It’s a text from my mom. She pitched your chuck wagon cookbook to her publishing house. They’re interested in you submitting a proposal.”

“Wow.”

“Get those stars out of your eyes.” He elbowed her. “Getting a proposal ready is hard work. I lived with Snowy long enough to know.”

Kelley could barely hold in such excitement, but she kept things light. “Like I haven’t had enough to do lately. Catering Caffey and Rhee’s wedding reception. Wagon train chuck-cook every other week. Moving back from Sunset Hills.”

The last was said with both promise and sadness. Her last summer’s dream had ended, but another had begun. After much prayer, she’d realized she belonged back home, and that God had led her in another direction. Vegeterra had not been a waste of time or money. She’d learned how to run a restaurant and keep accurate books. The equipment had all been sold, raising enough to pay off her bills, and she had brought back with her an excellent review from the food editor of the Sunset Hills Herald, to post as reference at the Butterbean Café.

Her and Jason’s new venture.

Ma and Hooper had indeed scraped up some cash, and Jason had eagerly gone into business with her with his savings. Even his mother had sent some funds from Moldova, promising she and September would be on a plane to Colorado for Thanksgiving dinner and Bragg’s wedding two days later. And this time around, Kelley had no doubts she’d have a faithful clientele.

Even with a fine collection of vegetarian dishes on the new menu…which would still offer Peg Coleman’s favorites. Kelley had already started cooking on weekends with Jason’s help during his free times from his new position as director of BeauVine’s regional office.

Sitting atop a cooler between this booth and the next, her brother Scott looked up, bright-eyed, at the woman laughing down at him.

As soon as she could, Kelley pulled at Jason and got him out of earshot. “My goodness. I’d bet the ranch that’s Miss Wesley. It’s been ten years or more, but I’d recognize her anywhere.”

“Who? Where?”

Kelley indicated with a backward head nod, rather than pointing. “Back there.”

“So? She’s hot, and he’s unattached.”

“She was our art teacher in high school.” Kelley whispered. “I was a senior and Scott was a sophomore. He had a huge schoolboy crush on her.”

“Well, I can see why.”

“You don’t get it. He looks star struck. But she’s got to be…what? Six, seven years older than him?”

Jason shrugged. “As I see it, they’re both consenting adults. And this is the reunion picnic, after all. Now…” He wiped at his mouth with his shirtsleeve, then turned pink. “Sorry, they were out of napkins. Thing is…”

He stopped and peered down at her.

“What?” She ordered. “Thing is, what?”

“Seeing that star struck brother of yours kind of put me in the mood. If you can stand the taste of corndog, that is.”

“What do you mean?” Kelley asked with a shy, fake batting of her eyelashes, for she knew full well.

He tied Bryce’s leash to the pole of the booth and grabbed Kelley’s hand, heading toward the stand of trees marked with a historical plaque. Long ago, the high school’s site had seen a shootout between U.S. Marshals and a notorious outlaw gang. As he leaned against the commemorative obelisk, Jason pulled her to him and knocked their Stetsons to the ground.

“I’ve made the conclusion. There is no ‘think’ about it any longer, Kelley Martin.” He murmured into her hair before his lips met hers hungrily. “You are the one. And I do love you.”

“Well then, cowboy.” She stood on tiptoe for one last butterfly kiss. “You have concluded correctly. I love you back. And I always will.”