Epilogue
“How doesit feel to see your hard work pay off, Junior?” My dad leans against a stone pillar, hands tucked in his pockets, a proud look filling his eyes.
“Damn good,” I admit, grinning. Today is the grand opening of The Orchard. I’ve been working nonstop for weeks, even more than when it was being built. If it weren’t for Jo, I don’t know how I would have made it to today without having a nervous breakdown. A niggling flash of guilt streaks through me, but I push it away. The manager of the restaurant inside the hotel isn’t too happy that I basically poached Jo, bringing her on as the general manager at The Orchard, but he can’t deny that it was a step-up from serving tables. I know she won’t be here to run the place forever, but this will get her a step closer to realizing her dream.
I stand beside my dad, my hands tucked into the pockets of the sleeveless white knee-length dress I chose for today. I guess I’m making the whole bride thing last a little longer. I wore white yesterday when I married Wes, but the dress was admittedly much fancier than what I’m wearing now. The setting sun has given way to a slight chill in the air, causing goose bumps to raise on my arms. I watch Jo and two employees set up a hot chocolate bar for the evening. Only two hours ago, a Sno-cone machine stood in its place. By now I’ve become accustomed to the twenty-degree differences between the daytime and nighttime temperatures in the desert.
I look at my dad. “Thanks for betting on me, Dad.”
His eyebrows lift. “Betting?”
“In the spring, when you chose me to be in charge down here. You took a gamble on me.”
“When have you ever known me to put my money on a risk, Dakota? I am not a gambling man. You were ready, and I knew you were capable. No bets were placed.”
The flow of emotion hits me suddenly. My eyes burn, and I blink back the tears. “Then I guess I should thank you for believing in me.”
He winks at me. “You’re welcome. And see?” One arm gestures out to all the people who’ve shown up for the event. They’re walking around, sitting at tables, playing the oversized outdoor games, exploring the grounds, enjoying the small bites and drinks the restaurant and wine bar are serving. “Look at what you accomplished. Anyone can build a structure, but you built community.”
I smile, looking over to where Waylon and his daughter sit talking to my sister and Armando.
“You sure you don’t want to come home and work on another project?” There’s a playful tone in my dad’s voice.
My smile slides in his direction. “What do you think, Dad?”
He chuckles, rolling up onto the balls of his feet and back down. “Hey, a dad can try. It’s not easy to let your baby girl go.”
My smile falls. “You’ve had some practice doing that already.”
His head shakes slowly. “You might’ve left, but I never let you go.” I follow his gaze across the walkway, to where Wes stands with Warner and Wyatt. He meets my eyes and starts for us.
Dad winks at me again. “But this time feels a little more permanent.”
I pull my left hand from my dress pocket and stare at the emerald engagement ring, and his grandmother’s gold band that joined it yesterday. Who knew the first wedding to be held at The Orchard chapel would be my own?
“How’s my wife?” Wes says when he reaches us. His arms wrap around my waist and he brushes a kiss on my hairline. A tremble rolls through me.Wife.I like the word on Wes’s lips, especially the way he says it, with a hint of possession. There was never a better moment in my life than yesterday when I looked into his eyes and promised to love him forever.
I smile. “I’m good. Just taking in the scene. I still can’t believe it’s partially mine.” My dad shocked me when he, as a wedding gift, made me fifty percent owner of The Orchard. “I’m overwhelmed.” I look out over the scene and catch Warner removing a flask from his pocket and tipping it up to his lips. As a part of our soft opening, we’re only serving local beer and wine.
“How’s Warner?” I ask Wes, biting the side of my lip. Anna finally served him with divorce papers last week. It wasn’t the greatest time for him to watch his big brother get married, but I’m positive he was inebriated for most of it.
“I don’t think he’s feeling much of anything right now,” Wes answers, in a voice that conveys his pity and also irritation at his brother. “Why can’t—”
“You guys!” Jessie runs up, her cheeks pink and her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I just heard the craziest news from Marlowe. Are you ready for this?”
I nod, watching Marlowe walk up behind Jessie. She’s a head shorter than Jessie, her dad’s the mayor of Sierra Grande, and she’s been Jessie’s best friend for years.
“Her dad just gave permission for a production company to film a movie here, and that’s not even the best part…” She beams, trying to draw out the suspense, but she can’t take it and she blurts it out. “The actress signed on to do the film is Tenley Roberts. Tenley Roberts, you guys!” She grips Wes’s upper arm and shakes it.
“Who?” Wes asks.
Jessie huffs out an annoyed breath. “How can I be expected to go back to campus now? I need to be here. Maybe they’ll need extras.”
Wes makes a face. “You’re going back to college tomorrow, Jessie. This was just a weekend trip for the wedding and the opening.” His voice is stern, and very father-like.
Jessie shoots him a dirty look. “I know,Dad.”
An involuntary snicker comes from me, and Jessie grins proudly. “I’m going to go tell somebody who will have the right reaction to this news.” She marches off with Marlowe trailing behind her. Something tells me that’s how those two spend a lot of their time, with Jessie leading and Marlowe following.
