Epilogue

Three Months Later

Birley withdrew to a shadowy corner. He’d schmoozed enough in one night to last him the year, but it was only March. Finally. Breathing room. He gulped a mouthful of floral-scented air. Even though he attended the annual Maple Sugar Ball to meet his students’ parents in a relaxed social setting, he always rubbed elbows with the town council too.

He leaned against the wall as people laughed and danced. Ribbons and streamers—the colors a feast for his eyes—adorned the large event hall at the Willow Springs Community Center.

His children played with a group of kids across the spacious room. A few parents had volunteered to watch the youngsters, and one of the mothers waved at him.

He nodded in return. Then his heart skipped a beat. His mouth watered. Harmony strode toward him. Damn, what a dress. The red fabric hugged her luscious curves. Her hips swayed to a strong ba-dum beat, or was that drumming in his head? The bounce in her step mesmerized him. Would anyone miss him and Harmony if they snuck off to a vacant room for a quickie?

“Hey. I’ve been looking for you.” Harmony kissed his clean-shaven cheek. “You needed to hide for a few minutes, right?”

He grinned, unrepentant. “Guilty.”

She plucked a hair from his dress shirt. Her face flushed. “Do you remember the last time we came here together? We danced for hours and later fooled around in your car.”

They’d been eighteen and attended what they’d dubbed the “Old Folks’ Ball” to appease their parents. For two cash-strapped kids, however, the free food and dancing had been worth it.

“That was a great night.” He groaned, his shaft thickening against the zipper of his slacks. “Besides getting you topless, the best part was stuffing our faces with cocktail shrimp.”

She laughed behind her hand. “Love the shrimp. Can’t go without it.”

“Birley?”

The soft, hesitant voice stilled Birley’s heart. Ah, hell. Was today the day? Would he have to speak with Tyler Coleman, his lawyer? He faced Bethany Wilton.

The girl held the hand of the lanky teenage boy beside her. “I’d like you to meet Mitch, my boyfriend. We go to Coolidge High together.”

“Boyfriend?” His heart lurched back into gear. He shook Mitch’s firm hand. The kid had a good grip. “I’ve seen you at the academy.”

Mitch nodded. “My little brother is taking viola lessons with Ms. Erica. I’ve driven him home from the school a few times.”

Right. The kid’s junker always spewed black exhaust when idling.

“I’m sorry for the way I acted. Mom called it an overabundance of hormones, but I should’ve known better.” Bethany blushed and twitched her feet. Then she smiled at Harmony. “I’m glad you’re with Birley. He deserves to be happy.”

“Thank you.” Harmony wrapped her arm around Birley’s as the young couple walked away. “She’s a good kid.”

Yup. That talk with her parents had done wonders. Mr. and Mrs. Wilton refused to enroll Bethany in the spring term. Though she’d cried, she hadn’t acted out or told tall tales to get him in trouble. He grinned as Mitch pulled Bethany aside and kissed her cheek.

Familiar laughter bounded above the pop music. Erica squealed, red infusing her cheeks, as Dylan spun her around on the dance floor.

Harmony’s parents had flown in again from California and were chatting with Stan and with Birley’s folks at a large round table across the room. Ruby and Brad were with them, cooing to their daughter.

“Let’s get some food.” After another quick check on his kids, he wrapped his arm around Harmony’s waist and headed to the buffet. Sliced apples and pears, finger-sandwiches, some kind of corn stuffing, and various other foods crowded the table, but the rich, spicy scent of cocktail sauce on the half-empty shrimp platter doubled the saliva in his mouth.

“Excuse me? May I have your attention?” The loud voice carried across the space. The chairman of the Maple Sugar Farmers Association tapped the microphone, and static echoed. Marigolds and mums bordered the stage, and the burgundy ribbons adorning each flowerpot matched the chairman’s sash.

Someone turned down the stereo. The dancers stilled. Chatter faded to whispers.

“It’s time to announce the nominees for Mr. and Ms. Maple Sugar.” The man paused as the crowd cheered. He lifted his hand, curbing the applause. “The MSFA committee has always handpicked a man and woman over the age of thirty for their goodwill, outlook on life, charity work, diversity, and the upholding of family traditions. The nominees are…” He rattled off half a dozen names and pointed out the lucky folks in the crowd.

Birley filled his plate and sipped cold fruit punch from his glass. Delicious.

“Freddie and Brenda Haynes!”

The chairman swiped his arm toward Birley’s parents.

Birley laughed and choked. Liquid shot into his nostrils. Oh God. The burn. He set his drink and food on the table as Harmony thumped his back.

“What the—?” His father’s cut-off exclamation reverberated off the walls.

Finishing that sentence with the word “hell” or worse wouldn’t look too wholesome in the committee’s eyes, but several onlookers laughed.

Freddie coughed behind his balled-up hand and waved his other hand at the stage.

What was he doing? Trying to decline the nomination?

“Let’s go, you.” Brenda pulled her blushing husband through the parting crowd to stand with the other nominees. A huge smile curved her beet-red cheeks.

Harmony clapped.

A round of applause and shouts rang from his parents’ table.

Birley wiped a napkin across his nose. How could he have doubted the town’s support? His parents had signed countless charity checks over the years, and his mother’s volunteer work at the animal shelter brought her into contact with a lot of influential people.

The newspapers and TV news programs had blasted Delwin Abbott’s arrest for a hot minute, then dropped the story. The State dismissed the misdemeanor vandalism charges, but the felony charges of animal abuse, arson, and attempted murder stuck.

Good riddance. Music filtered through Birley’s buzzing ears. A high-pitched laugh echoed from the dance floor, and he chuckled. Oh my God. Were they for real?

His parents were shaking their butts and throwing up their arms. Then Freddie twirled Brenda in a circle. He caught her close, and they swayed in each other’s arms.

Ah, man. Had they won? So much for paying attention.

Harmony nudged his arm and headed toward a small corner table.

He grabbed his dinner and followed.

“I’ve always wanted the type of marriage your parents have.” She smiled as they set their glasses and plates down. “My mom and dad love each other, but they don’t share the same passion and drive as yours do. Brenda and Freddie are great role models.”

He nodded. Words couldn’t express his love and gratitude for his parents.

Though they were enjoying their retirement, they each taught one class a week. Music lived in their blood, and they couldn’t stop sharing it for anything in the world.

Birley and Harmony spent their mornings at the academy—she delving into paperwork while he handled the maintenance and management duties. In the afternoon, she watched Andy and Kay while he tutored his students on his designated days. How could he be so lucky?

“The past few months have been the best of my life.” She bit her lip, blinking rapidly.

“Babe?” He gently cupped her chin and turned her to face him.

She sighed and grasped his hand. “I’m nervous about my doctor’s appointment next week. If everything falls through and we can’t have a baby, it’s okay. We can always adopt. Besides, I already have what I need—you, Andy, and Kay.”

He kissed her. “What would I do without you? Thank you for coming home.”