EPILOGUE

One month later

“I pronounce Aspirations, the Rainbow Falls Youth Center, officially opened.” Aidan pulled the rope and the black cloth fell away.

A loud cheer went up from the crowd gathered outside the building.

Chloe clapped so hard her hands hurt.

Aidan had put off the official opening until the new sign could be installed.

She blinked back tears of happiness at the joy on Matt’s face as he took in his prize-winning title captured in bold black letters above the doorway. She thanked God for the millionth time at the changes she’d witnessed in this boy.

Aidan quieted the crowd in preparation for the little speech he’d rehearsed—the one he wouldn’t let her hear in advance.

“I want to thank everyone for coming today. This center means a lot to me and, I hope, to the youth of this town. Together we can do great things, not only for ourselves, but for our community, with the many outreach projects we have planned.” He paused while everyone applauded. “There is one person to whom I owe a huge debt of thanks, and that is Miss Chloe Martin. Without her support and enthusiasm, this center would never have taken off the way it has.”

The group broke into wild applause.

A flush heated Chloe’s cheeks.

“I also want to thank Chloe for another wonderful thing…” He paused, grinning at her. “For agreeing to become my wife.”

Someone let out a loud wolf-whistle.

Chloe laughed as more applause followed. A bubble of pure joy rose in her chest, threatening to lift her feet from the ground.

“So hopefully the next time a crowd this big gets together, it will be at the Good Shepherd Church for our wedding.”

A murmur of laughter rippled through the group.

“Now let’s go inside and continue the celebration with cake and punch.”

Aidan opened the doors, and the people herded inside, their happy chatter drifting inward.

Chloe smiled at all the congratulatory remarks and pats on the shoulder as everyone moved past her. When only she and Aidan remained outside, she turned to him with a smile, her heart expanding with love. “That was some speech, Mr. North.”

“Glad you liked it.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “I forgot one thing though.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small, blue velvet box. With a flick, he opened the lid to reveal a marquise-cut diamond. “I know you accepted my proposal, but I’d like to make it official.”

“Oh, Aidan. It’s stunning.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, not caring who might see them. “I love you, and I can’t wait to start our life together.”

Aidan’s gray eyes darkened. “Thank you for saving me from myself, Chloe. Without you, I’d have turned into a grumpy old man.”

Chloe laughed. “You were a bit uptight as I recall.” Still standing on her tiptoes, she tilted her head. “There is something I’ve always wondered though.”

“What’s that?” His fingers caressed her cheek, adding to the warmth of the sun on her shoulders.

“Why were you so mean to me when we were teens?”

“I wasn’t mean.”

“You don’t remember making fun of me in front of your friends?”

A flush stole up his neck. “Oh, that.”

“Yes, that.”

He loosened his collar with one finger. “I couldn’t very well admit that I had a crush on my little sister’s friend, could I?” He shrugged. “So I made fun of you instead.”

Chloe’s mouth fell open. “You had a crush on me back then?”

He grinned. “What can I say? I had a thing for klutzy girls with braces.”

She smacked his arm, pretending outrage.

“Who knew that klutzy girl would literally knock me off my feet one rainy night.” His eyes danced with laughter. “You’ve been knocking me off balance ever since.”

She laughed with him, and as images of her extended family came to mind, she thanked God for giving her the one thing she’d craved since growing up an only child—a big, noisy family. God had brought Lily into her life several years ago, and now, by marrying Aidan, Maxi would become her sister, as well as her friend, and Bernice would fill the hole left by her mother’s death.

Chloe caressed the locket around her neck, certain both her birth mother and the woman who’d raised her would be very proud of her now. God had used Matt and Lindsay Brown, as well as the amazing man at her side, as instruments of redemption, blessing her with the hope of salvation.

With a happy sigh, she held out her left hand. “Don’t just stand there, Mr. North. Put that ring on and let’s get started on our future.”

“With pleasure, Miss Martin. With pleasure.”

He slipped the ring on her finger, and then his lips sealed the deal in a most satisfying manner.