“Now, if you two could cut the ribbon,” Ada suggested.
Oh right!I wiped my eyes and tore my attention away from the kids and met Robin’s gaze. “On three?”
We counted down. Our scissors sliced through the ribbon in perfect harmony, and a roar rose from the crowd.
“Welcome to the Marian and Robin Orphanage for Shifters!” Ada decreed with pride and happiness as she turned to face the children. “Now for the good stuff. We’re serving cake in the dining room. Who wants some?”
The kids leapt into motion and ran straight through the front door. The staff and Merry Men followed, clapping us on the back as they went. With every smile and word of encouragement, my chest tightened.
Finally, Robin and I stood alone on the doorstep. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he pulled me close, sealing the end of a perfect day.
Epilogue
The sand squishedbetween my toes, and the sound of soft waves filled my ears as I looked out over the Pacific Ocean from our private beach. Peace washed over me.
Who knew life could change so quickly?
“Hey, Mar-Bear. Coffee?” A strong arm snaked around my waist, and my heart skipped a beat.
“Always.” I took the cup Robin offered and inhaled the scent of cinnamon that he’d added to spice it up.
We stayed like that for a while, holding each other, watching the waves and sipping coffee. It was paradise. More than I ever could have imagined.
To think I’d almost thrown this time away, all for some stupid black and white belief of wrong and right. If I hadn’t begrudgingly joined my ex-boyfriend on the heist, I never would have learned the truth of how Robin had changed. How he was a champion for those experiencing their lowest, darkest moments.
I wouldn’t be the happiest I’d been in years.
“I have a surprise for you,” he whispered in my ear.
A tingle ran up my spine. “And here I thought I’d had enough surprises for a lifetime.”
The familiar, mischievous curve of his lifting lips melted my heart. “Hardly. FYI, you should probably be prepared for many more.”
“Did LJ call with another job?” John was one of the few members of the Merry Men and Women who weren’t hiding out in other countries until the cases surrounding the Oasis, Sherwood’s mysterious disappearance, and the murders he’d committed in the past had cooled off.
“Actually, yes. We probably only have a couple more weeks of bliss before they’ll need us. But that isn’t what I was referring to.” His fingers entwined with mine, and he pulled me toward the door. “Come with me?”
I followed him into the beachside hut we’d rented. He insisted that I put on shoes before leading me to a path that wound through the jungle surrounding our rental. We’d intended to explore it yesterday but hadn’t gotten very far before other pursuits became more interesting.
My toes curled just thinking about yesterday afternoon. What could I say? Robin and I were making up for lost time in the love-making department. And I didn’t regret that for a second.
This time, however, Robin seemed intent on hiking through the thick brush. As it was beautiful and blissful, I was fine with that. I soaked in the jungle, breathing the fresh air as we walked.
We’d gone at least a mile, all gradually uphill, when Robin took a sharp left turn. Slowly, the sounds of the ocean filled my ears. The scent of salt followed, pulling my lips up in a smile. As a desert fox most of my life, I loved the ocean. It was so refreshing. A few minutes later, Robin pulled aside a huge fern and we emerged from the lush greenery onto a cliffside.
I gasped at the view and moved to stand in front of Robin, taking it all in. The wild blue ocean spread out before me.
“Holy crap, Robin. When did you discover this? The view, it’s—”
“Extraordinary. Just like you.”
Heat flushed my cheeks. A quip about flattery getting him everywhere was on the tip of my tongue, but when I turned back to him, my mouth snapped shut.
Robin was down on one knee.
My heart leapt.Holy shit. This is happening . . . again.
“I’ve loved you all my life, Marian. Even when we weren’t together. I tried and tried to get over you, but it never worked. And eventually, I realized why.”
