The rest of the dinner was jovial and happy. Vinia finally called them over to her. "I'm going to head home tomorrow to check on the ranch. And, I have a little thinking to do."
Sarah hugged her. "I'm going with you. I have to put a few things straight."
Drake hugged Luke. "After everything that we've been through, this is the best possible outcome for my sister. I just hope you don't get sick of seeing us brothers around."
Sarah laughed. "You'd better be."
Tyson shook Luke's hand. "You best be good to her, because no crown is going to save your ass if we have to come defend her."
Luke watched the siblings tease other and didn't see Tuva walk up behind him.
"I am so proud of you, Luke. Your dad would be proud, too. I often wondered if he would have been a better ruler had your mother not died. Now that I see you in love, I have to believe that I'm seeing the man your father could have been."
Hot tears stung his eyes at the compliment. Larisa wandered over, and Luke hugged both of them tight.
Larisa kissed his cheek. "What was that for?"
He smiled at her. "Just spreading the love."
His heart was so full, he didn't think he'd ever spread enough of it around.
Chapter Twenty-Five: Family Together
Sarah Hale
After a big breakfast and a bunch of farewells, the Hales headed back to Colorado the next morning. Sarah didn't want to leave Luke behind, but he had to deal with the kingdom in the Hallowed Vale as well as his own.
She kissed him as they prepared to leave. "I love you."
"I'll come join you as soon as I can."
"Don't be long."
He kissed her again. "I won't be able to."
Back at the ranch, Vinia asked Sarah if she wanted to have dinner at Active Assets. "I thought just the two of us could go eat. We don't have to be out late."
"Okay," Sarah accepted. "But it's kind of weird that you want to leave the ranch." Vinia was usually the homebody type.
"Let's just say that I need to get out more."
Sarah went to check on Wren, who seemed to have done an excellent job with the baking.
"We even rented out two cabins, so I've been baking for the family and for the guests. Everything has been fine."
"Well, don't let me get in the way just because I'm back. I probably won't be here long."
Sarah looked around her cabin. "Feel free to stay here."
"I kind of did," Wren admitted. "I'm sorry. But I was baking, and it just seemed like a good idea. I know I should have asked first."
Sarah hugged her. "Don't worry about it. You're right. It makes the most sense. And with me going back to the Sacred Gardens, I won't be here anyhow."
"Are you moving there permanently?"
"Well," Sarah shrugged, "probably. We haven't gotten that far into our discussions."
Vinia picked her up a few minutes later and drove the short distance to the resort. "I haven't had dinner here in a really long time. You'll have to tell me what's good."
