“Here,” Amy said. “I’ve got some information about business programs in town that I thought you’d be interested in. And your permit has gotten preliminary approval, conditional on the results of the final inspection.” Amy took some papers from her bag and handed them to Melody and Caitlin. “We like to encourage small businesses.”
Cal came in from outside then and went to Amy and kissed her.
“More kissing,” Henry commented with a sigh, making us all laugh.
“Knock, knock.” Aurora stepped in the front door. She carried several bags. “You’ve all been working so hard over here that I thought you might like some dinner. I had Marc whip up something special for you.”
Caitlin looked up at me, a happy smile on her face. Everyone had come together to help her dream become a reality. It was just as wonderful as the way that everything was coming together for us. And I had plans to celebrate that, which didn’t involve a room full of family and friends.
“We appreciate it, Aurora,” I said, “but I think you all should eat that food someplace else. We’re locking the door on this joint for the night. Caitlin and I have a date.”
“We do?” she asked, blinking in surprise. “But there’s so much to get done.”
I leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “Three months ago tonight I met up with a beautiful woman from my past at a country bar,and she changed my life. Call me sentimental, but I want to take you to the Tipsy Vandal tonight.”
“Oh, in that case.” She turned to address everyone. “Thanks so much for all your help today, but it’s time for you all to go.”
“Come over to the diner and eat,” Aurora offered. Jake and Melody took some of the bags from her and they went out together.
“I’ll send my boys back to help you tomorrow. If you need more help, Shannon and Zoe also offered to pitch in,” Amy told Caitlin as she headed out with Cal and Henry. “Have fun tonight!”
When the door closed, I pulled Caitlin against me. Her arms went around my neck, and we stood there for a moment looking at each other.
“Are you happy to be home?” I asked. I felt sure she was, but I wanted to hear her say it.
“How can you even ask that? Everyone has been so kind.” She paused. “And I have you.”
“And I have you,” I said and kissed her. I knew then and there that I’d love her forever. I’d been lucky enough to find complete happiness.
After another long kiss, we linked hands and headed out for our date.
EPILOGUE
CAITLIN
Six weeks later
Iglanced at the clock in Brian’s truck. I wished he’d drive faster. We were running late for the baby shower. How would it look if the guests of honor arrived late? I was sure Laura and Amy, who were co-hosting the party, wouldn’t mind, but it felt wrong to me. They’d put in so much effort not only for the shower itself, but also to make me feel welcome to the family and to the town.
And they’d been an enormous help in getting my business up and running. The tattoo parlor opened two weeks ago, following a month of remodeling. In the days since we’d been open, business had been steady, and I felt optimistic that Mel and I would be a success.
Laura had even come in and gotten a small tattoo of an ornate heart with her late husband’s name on it. I had thought it was sweet, and I’d enjoyed hearing Laura talk about Brian’s father while I worked on the design. It made me feel even more like a part of the family.
I was less confident about my connection with my parents. At Amy’s encouragement, I met with a therapist to try to work through many of the negative feelings I had about my upbringing. The woman was great and she suggested I roleplay some different talking points so I could better organize my thoughts and feelings around my parents.
With the therapist’s help, I felt confident enough to meet my mother for tea one morning. Coffee was officially off my list of okay items to consume since the baby took a firm dislike to it, and I got violently ill every time I had even a sip. Laura helped me doctor ginger tea so it was more palatable, and I’d actually developed a taste for it.
The meeting with my mother could have gone much worse, which I took as a win. She had come with a list of complaints and criticisms and when I hadn’t reacted to any of them, she’d backed off. Mostly. Then, I’d told her that if both her and my father wished to have a relationship with me, it would be on my terms. Not hers. When she’d suggested we come to dinner one night, I’d turned it around and agreed, but told her that it would be at our place. To my surprise, she didn’t balk at that.
I had no idea whether a relationship would work out with my parents. I hoped so for the sake of my baby, but if it didn’t, it wouldn’t prevent me from being happy. This town was definitely big enough for all of us.
A car whipped into the passing lane and cruised past us, honking its horn. I caught sight of the driver, a gray-haired granny, and laughed.
“You could drive faster, you know,” I suggested to Brian. “We’re running really tight on time.”
“They’ll wait for us, and I don’t speed, not even for you. I’m not taking any risks with your life or hers,” Brian insisted, with a glance down at my expanding waistline.
Just that week we’d found out that the baby was a girl, and Brian had been beyond excited. He’d made lists of girl names, and I’d noticed him searching online for ideas on how to decorate a girl’s bedroom. He was already talking about moving to a larger house so there would be space for a playhouse in the yard. I’d objected, saying it wasn’t necessary, but I knew we would move when he found the perfect house. He wanted the best for all of us, and that was non-negotiable in his eyes.
