Epilogue

“Oh my gosh, I cannot get used to that blinding sunshine.” Karen strode into Brock’s office, squinting at the light that poured through his floor-to-ceiling windows high above Boston. He hadn’t closed the shades since he and Jenna had come back from Maine.

“Future’s so bright, you gotta wear shades,” he joked, dropping the last of the day’s work in his out-basket. “And that’s it for me today.”

Karen looked stunned. “Is it the End Times? You’re leaving three hours early?”

“Jenna’s flight lands in a few hours, and I’m going home to get my—our—apartment ready so she feels welcome when the movers come with her stuff tomorrow.”

Karen’s smile faltered. “How long do you think you’ll live together?”

“A long time. Why?”

She shrugged. “I just thought, you know…it would be nice or even better if you…”

He just laughed. “No worries, Saint Karen. I’m hoping we can set a date for early next year, after we close on the Salmon Falls Distillery and get the refurbishing plans finalized.”

“I still can’t believe you’re buying that old abandoned building that had a dead man in it for nearly ninety years.”

“You want to know what else you won’t believe? That Roger Platt’s going to fire up the old stills, and we’re going to make Platt Blackthorne Gold from there.” He shook his head. “Alistair would be proud.”

“I’m proud,” Karen said. “And will be even prouder when the babies start popping.”

He almost rolled his eyes, but the fact was, he and Jenna both wanted a big family. “And then I’ll be leaving at five on most days. Little League and dance recitals, you know.” He chuckled as he slipped on his jacket, but his smile faded when he noticed her eyes had grown misty. “Hey, don’t go all soft on me now.”

But she pressed her hands together and sighed. “God is so good to answer my prayers.”

“Then ask the Big Man to get her flight here on time. I miss that woman. See you tomorrow. Maybe.”

A few minutes later, he stepped out to Clarendon Street just as Hoyt pulled up in the stretch limo. So Graham must have scored the town car again. No worries. Jenna would like to be picked up at the airport in this car. They always had fun in the back seat of any car.

“I got it.” He signaled to Hoyt to save the man the trouble of getting out. As he opened his door, the smile he wore just grew bigger at the sight of one beautiful blonde in the back seat. “Whoa. Wasn’t expecting you.”

“You can get in,” Jenna said, patting the leather. “If you’re not a serial killer.”

Laughing, he slid in next to her. “I’m not anything but…insanely happy to see you.”

“I got an earlier flight.” She leaned into the kiss he offered, and he instantly pulled her closer for more.

Without asking, Hoyt raised the privacy glass, cracking them up.

“How did you manage this?” he asked, sliding his hand down her waist and loving the feel of curves he knew he’d never get enough of.

“Oh, Hoyt and I worked it out to surprise you.” She nestled closer and rested her head on his shoulder. “And I couldn’t wait a minute longer to live here.”

“Good, because I couldn’t wait to have you here. Did you say goodbye to your parents?”

“With a promise we’d visit them in a few weeks.”

He searched her face. “And?”

She nodded, her expression growing serious. “Yes, I told them about the nanny.”

“Was it hard?”

“Worse for them, I think. Lots of tears and apologies.” She shook her head. “I’m not looking into the past, Brock. I just want to look straight ahead, at the future. You know why?”

“Because we’re spending it together.”

“Yes.” She leaned a little to her left and touched the button to open the window. A cool breeze blew in on his face as she tugged him closer to the bright light. “Look at that. What do you see?”

“Blue skies,” he said, glancing out briefly before keeping his gaze on her.

“That’s what’s ahead for us,” she said. “And when there’s a storm…”

He took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead, holding his lips there as if he could imprint his love on her. “You won’t be alone,” he promised her.

“I’ll be the opposite of lonely,” she said on a laugh. “Which is…”

“Love.” He pulled her closer and looked out at the blue skies of Boston and then at the woman he wanted forever in his arms. “The opposite of lonely is love.”

* * *

There’s more Blackthorne excitement ahead! Take a sneak peek at LOGAN, Book 6 in the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes series!