Epilogue
Ava kept her eyes on the angled mirrors as the tattoo artist made her final strokes. The three-piece tattoo was fairly small and, due to its placement at the nape of her neck, it would be hidden a fair share of the time, but that didn’t make it any less significant.
She smiled at the sight, grateful the parlor had a number of mirrors mounted for just this purpose. She caught eyes with the artist through the mirror once the buzzing stopped.
“You’re all finished,” the woman said, twisting the tip of the tattoo gun with a gloved hand. “Do you see anything you’d like me to touch up or alter?”
“No,” Ava breathed. “I think it’s perfect.”
“Does that mean I get to see it?” came Richard from the other side of the partition.
Ava grinned and adjusted the high bun atop her head. “Yes,” she said. “Come on over.”
Richard took a cautious step from behind the partition, his bulky frame making the structure look very small suddenly. He came up behind her to observe the work. Now Ava was watching Richard through the mirror.
“The first one,” Ava explained, “the winged heart, is in honor of my angel mother. It’s the one I’ve wanted to get forever.”
Richard’s face hardened for a blink as he met eyes with her in the mirror. Now, he knew justwhohad been dead set against her getting it.
“I’m glad you finally got it,” he said, his face softening once more.
“The butterfly in the center represents the transition from my old life to my new one.”
He grinned and reached an absent hand toward it before stopping himself. “I probably shouldn’t touch it yet,” he mumbled under his breath.
Ava giggled. “Can you guess what that last one is for?”
Richard stared at it for a blink before setting his gaze back on Ava through the mirror. “It’s a lightning bug,” he said. “And we saw an awful lot of those during our summer nights together…”
“You’re right,” she said. “The lightning bug is for you. And to make it official, I had Nelly here draw something into the shading. Look closely, do you see it?”
To Ava, it was plain as day. But to someone who wasn’t told it was there…
“I’m looking, I’m looking…” He narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized it.
“I’ll give you a hint. It has something to do with one of your favorite things.”
Suddenly his eyes lit up. “There’s a four in it!”
“Yes,” she said. “I had Nelly add in the gem of all gems, the number four, just for you.”
“These are beautiful.” He turned to the artist. “You did great work here.”
“Thanks,” Nelly said as she cleaned up her station. “You going to get one next?”
“Maybe one day,” Richard said, not sounding like he meant it. His reply made Ava smile. Richard had the sort of build that would hold a lot of tattoos. She couldn’t help but wonder if he would get one someday. And if so, what would he get?
Her mind sifted through the many memories she’d made with the Duran family. Today marked an anniversary of sorts—or rather, a monthiversary. Four months ago today, she’d taken the big leap of faith and said yes to Maverick’s invitation. Something she now saw as divine intervention. And three months ago, she’d pulled up to the Homestead Inn, meeting “ornery old Richard” for the very first time.
Who would have guessed she’d be where she was now? Happily in love with the oldest brother himself. And feeling very much like a member of the Duran family as well.
They were finished at the tattoo parlor, having paid and said their final thank yous for a job well done, and now they were headed back to the inn for their Friday night gathering. Food, music, and fun summed up the event that guests looked forward to each time they spent a weekend there. As part-owners of the inn, Trenton and the Duran family joined in and often participated with musical numbers during the open mic segment.
In fact, it was at such an event that Trenton, after performing a heartfelt duet with Betty on stage, dropped to one knee and asked for Andie’s hand in marriage. Ava was thrilled that she hadn’t missed it. She felt bad enough for the part she’d played in postponing the proposal, since Trenton originally planned to propose at the twins’ party.
“I’m so happy for Andie and Trenton,” she said. “I can’t believe they’re getting married in less than a month.”
“I can’t either,” Richard said. “Andie was definitely one of those let’s-have-a-two-year-engagement type of women before she met Trenton.” He smiled, shook his head, and sighed. “I guess when you know, you know.”
