Remy clapped a hand on his shoulder. “We have an ambulance on the way. The Sheriff’s department has the research boat held up, and the Coast Guard’s on the way.”
Simon nodded, still holding Holly, an insane feeling overwhelming him that if he let go of her, she’d somehow die.
“Hey,” she said, patting his back. “I’m okay.”
“I know,” he said. He was the one who wasn’t okay.
She finally leaned back and cupped his cheeks in her hands. “You see? Your lucky rabbit’s foot saved the day—along with my grandmother’s gris-gris bag. We’re alive. My parents are alive, and we defeated the curse.”
He looked down into her eyes. “You’re absolutely right. My life is blessed with magic.”
She laughed. “What? A full reversal of the naysayer?”
He nodded. “I owe Johnny. He was right about the lucky rabbit’s foot. It brought me to you. It made me lucky in love.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “That makes me the luckiest man alive.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. “I know it’s too soon, that things like this should take more time, but I don’t care. I love you, Simon.”
“I love you, too,” he said and sealed his words with a kiss.
Epilogue
Two weeks later...
“Here, let me hold that while you get out of the boat.” Simon took the heavy pot of gumbo Holly had prepared for the first family potluck dinner they’d decided to hold since her parents had returned from the dead, her curse had been broken and everything was right with the community of Bayou Mambaloa.
Holly climbed out of the boat, wearing the colorful dress Gisele had given her, looking beautiful, fresh and happy.
Simon liked to think he’d put some of the smile on her face, especially after the night they’d spent making love.
He loved waking up with Holly in his arms and couldn’t imagine a day without her in it. He’d even told her as much that morning when he hadn’t been able to wait another moment and popped the question because the ring he’d purchased had been burning a hole in his pocket.
She hadn’t even been disappointed that he hadn’t done it “right” by planning a big proposal event, with a plane flying overhead, painting a smoke message in the sky that read, Marry me.
Nope, she’d been stirring the gumbo, wearing an apron over her dress, her hair up in a loose, messy bun. Still, the prettiest woman he’d ever seen. He’d gotten down on one knee and asked her to marry him before she wised up and figured she could do better.
She’d laughed and thrown her arms around his neck, shouting, Yes! And she’d been beyond excited to get to share the news with her family that afternoon at her grandmother’s house.
Her feet firmly on the dock, Holly leaned up on her toes and kissed his lips. “I love you, Sinclaire Simon Sevier. I can’t wait to marry you and live happily ever after with you.”
“You know we still have to find a house,” he said, wishing he could pull her into his arms and give her a proper hug and kiss, but the pot of gumbo stood between them.
“What do you think about buying the houseboat and renovating it the way we like?” She smiled up at him and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I kind of like the way it rocks when we’re rocking the bedsprings.”
He laughed. “Actually, I was thinking the same thing. We can start with the deck where the fire was and work our way forward. Do you think LaShawnda would help us make the offer and do the paperwork?”
“I’m sure she would,” Holly said, smiling down at her ring. We can plan our wedding for some time after we finish the renovations.”
“Or before we start,” Simon suggested.
Holly grinned. “I’m game. We don’t need a big, fancy wedding. I’d rather spend the money on the houseboat.”
They walked across the dock and up the rise toward the house where Holly’s rapidly expanding family was gathered, along with a few friends.
They’d set up a line of tables, covered them with colorful plastic tablecloths and heaped them full of dishes with enough food to feed an army.
“Holly! Simon! You’re finally here.” Gisele hurried forward, took the pot of gumbo, set it in the middle of one of the tables and slipped a big ladle into it. “Come sit by me and Rafael,” she said, and grabbed Holly’s hand. “I saved a space for you and Simon.” Then she glanced down at Holly’s hand and squealed. “What’s this! What’s this rock on your ring finger?”
Holly’s cheeks turned a pretty pink. “It’s an engagement ring.” She leaned into Simon. “Simon asked. I said yes. We’re getting married.”
