"To new beginnings!" the crowd echoed.
Grant stood frozen for a moment, then pulled his dad into a tight hug. Riley watched them, tears streaming down her face, as father and son held each other and the entire town cheered around them.
When they finally broke apart, Thomas said something too quiet for Riley to hear. Grant nodded, his eyes bright, and then turned to pull Riley into his arms.
"Did you know about this?" Grant asked against her hair.
"Not a clue."
"The farm is ours." Grant's voice was full of wonder. "The house. Everything. It's ours."
"Yours," Riley corrected gently. "It's your family's farm, Grant. Your legacy."
"Ours," Grant said firmly, pulling back to look at her. "You're staying. You're building your life here. That makes it ours."
Riley's throat was too tight to speak, so she just nodded and let Grant hold her while their friends and family swarmed around them with congratulations.
Mark clapped Grant on the back. "Congratulations, man. You deserve this."
"Thanks." Grant's arm stayed firmly around Riley's waist. "It's a lot to take in."
"You'll do great," Ryan said. "You've basically been running it for years anyway."
"True." Grant looked down at Riley. "And now I have help. Riley's going to handle the marketing and online presence."
"Your first official client?" Hannah asked Riley.
"Second," Riley corrected, still glowing from earlier. "Mrs. Patterson officially hired me first."
"Look at you," Jenna said proudly. "Business owner. Farm wifey. Pine Valley resident. You're fully settled."
Riley looked up at Grant, at his warm eyes and soft smile, and felt her heart swell.
"Yeah," she said. "I really am."
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of celebration. Riley talked business with Mrs. Patterson's daughter, who also wanted help with her boutique. She danced with her dad, laughed withher siblings, and caught up with people she'd known since childhood who were genuinely excited she was staying.
The clock on the wall showed 11:58 when someone announced it was almost time. The crowd started gathering near the stage, everyone pulling out phones, finding their partners, the energy in the room building.
Grant pulled Riley close, his arms wrapped around her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder.
"Ten!" the crowd chanted as the clock struck midnight. "Nine! Eight!"
"This is really happening," Riley said softly.
"Seven! Six! Five!"
"It is," Grant murmured against her ear. "You and me. The farm. Our life."
"Four! Three! Two!"
Riley turned in his arms to face him.
"One! Happy New Year!"
Grant kissed her as fireworks exploded overhead and the crowd cheered around them. Riley kissed him back, pouring everything into it—all her love, all her hope, all her certainty that this was exactly where she was supposed to be.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Grant rested his forehead against hers.
