Epilogue
White, puffy snowflakes drifted to the ground as the newlyweds drove out of view, theirjust marriedannouncement adorning the back window of Richard’s Audi. Emmitt and Maverick, who’d followed the car a ways down the drive, paused to look up and catch a few flakes on their tongues.
Andie and Trenton had also followed the car a ways out. The two were now embraced at the bottom of the porch steps.
“And just like that, Richard and Ava are off to their honeymoon getaway,” Memphis said as he gave her waist a squeeze.
Ty sighed, feeling as if she could float back to her suite. Richard and Ava’s wedding had been a dream. The ceremony was private, quaint, and emotional enough to put nearly everyone there in tears. Not thateveryoneamounted to more than Ty and Lucas, the Duran family, the pastor, and a few other close employees of the inn. Still, Ty mused it couldn’t have been more perfect.
And Ava, she made a beautiful bride!
The more Ty had learned about Ava and her past in the week prior, the more she appreciated her own family, even her mom who, incidentally, had chosen to reply with a snail mail letter of her own. Turns out Ty’s mother expressed herself much better on paper than she did face-to-face. Ty had gotten an apology she never dreamed she’d receive. Sure, Mom had still snuck a few of her signature jabs in there, but nothing too severe.
Undoubtedly, the interaction was a big step in the right direction. Now Ty could actually look forward to going home before Christmas.Before,because she couldn’t imagine missing Christmas Day at The Homestead Inn. It was sure to be magical.
Ty’s thoughts turned back to the recent details she’d learned about Richard’s new bride. Not only had Ava’s mother had passed years ago, her father was, like Wren, a violent man. Which meant the Duran family was her only family. While it was a heartbreaking truth, indeed, Ty mused that there could be no better family to belong to.
After the ceremony, the group had enjoyed a small wedding dinner at the inn, complete with heartfelt toasts and entertaining roasts. The group had proceeded the wedding couple to the front porch, where they tossed baby’s breath over the newlyweds as they made their way to the decorated car.
Now the pair was off to their honeymoon destination, which was a recent addition to the inn. Memphis had driven Ty out there for a sneak peek yesterday. The cozy cottage was a short drive over the river, nestled into a beautiful, wooded area that would look even more enchanting with the fresh fallen snow.
Since the Durans were limited where travel was concerned, being part of the relocation program and all, the honeymoon spot was the perfect destination. Ty couldn’t help but hope she and Memphis would head there one day in the near future.
Memphis nuzzled his nose into Ty’s hair and sighed. “Not a bad day,” he said, his voice low and raspy.
“Not at all,” Ty agreed.
“Should we go see how Betty and Lucas are getting along?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said with a nod. “That’s a good idea.”
At the first sight of the falling snow, Lucas had declared that it was time for some hot chocolate. A request that Betty was quick to oblige.“We can check on little Lucy while we’re in there,”Betty had said, which only made the deal sweeter; Lucas loved that little dog of hers.
“Last one inside’s a rotten egg,” Maverick hollered.
Ty glanced out to see Emmitt and Maverick break into a race toward the porch.
“I’m not about to be a rotten egg,” Trenton blurted. He tugged Andie’s hand and the two darted for the front door.
At once, Memphis was scooping Ty into his arms. “Neither are we,” he declared, following the couple through the open doorway. A mad pounding of footfalls sounded behind them, and soon Emmitt and Maverick rushed in as well.
“I won!” Emmitt declared.
“No, I won!”
“Dude,” Emmitt said. “Your foot was barely behind mine. You’re the rotten egg.”
The front desk phone rang from behind the counter.
“You’rebothrotten as far as I’m concerned,” Betty said as she hurried to the front desk with Lucas skipping by her side. Lucy trailed in behind them, her pink tongue flapping as she ran. “Close that door before that cold breeze comes in, will you?”
Emmitt pushed the door closed as the group stomped their feet on the rug and caught their breath.
“Thanks for calling The Homestead Inn,” Betty chimed once she picked up the phone. “How can I help you?”
The silence that followed her greeting felt off.
Ty glanced over, expecting to see Betty scrutinizing the monitor on the desk. Instead, she saw that Betty stared blankly ahead, a shocked expression on her face. She gulped hard in the moment of delay and shook her head.
