“And now, let’s welcome the hosts of tonight’s benefit concert—Travis and Lindsay Langston!”
Applause swelled as the couple stepped onstage. Lindsay smiled, glowing with hometown pride. Very classy, high-end hometown pride.
“Thank you for being here tonight and for giving to the restoration of this lovely town and these wonderful people,” Lindsay said. “This is my hometown. I fell in love with Nancy Drew books at the downtown library.”
Someone whooped in agreement.
“And learned how to make the perfect milkshake while working at Iced-Up at the corner of Maple and Carter Streets.”
Another affirmation from some in the crowd.
And I got my first kiss behind the football bleachers—thanks, Davis Kent.”
The crowd laughed and a few whistled.
Travis took the microphone from her, sending her a playful look. “I’d better take this before I find out too many other childhood secrets I’m not prepared for.”
More laughter.
“I didn’t grow up in this town. However, the warmth and welcome I received here quickly made an impression on me. And when Wisteria experienced an enormous amount of devastation, we immediately wanted to find ways to help. As of yesterday, our combined efforts and the generosity of hundreds of people have allowed us to raise over one million dollars.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd. He handed the microphone back to Lindsay.
Lindsay jumped in. “And that money has already helped restock the library, rebuild homes, repair dozens of private and backroads, and bring businesses back.”
More applause.
“And tonight,” Travis added, “we hope to raise even more to continue the restoration process.”
“Let’s celebrate Wisteria tonight!” Lindsay said, raising a triumphant arm in the air.
As applause rippled through the crowd and the band launched into another song, Daphne leaned into Finn as Lucy wedged between them. She looked out at the crowd—families dancing, neighbors hugging, volunteers laughing in the glow of lantern light. Her eyes burned, heart swelling with more gratitude than she thought her chest could hold.
They were rebuilding. Together.
Lucy wriggled down and ran to join a cluster of kids dancing in the grass, her giggles lifting into the night air and wrapping around Daphne’s heart.
“You know, I never imagined moving to this little town would give me so much more than a pub,” he murmured, voice low and intimate,his arm slipping around her waist. His lips warmed her cheek. “I want to do this”—he waved his hand as if encompassing the booth, the people, and all of Wisteria—“this life. With you. Every day.”
She leaned into his warmth. “You already have it.”
“And I plan to keep it up for as long as you’ll have me.” His voice dropped, intimate and steady. “In atill death do us partkind of way.”
They’d talked about the future—marriage, a family, forever. But this felt different. Imminent. “I’m game for that sort of long-term competition.”
“Competition?” His brows raised as she looked up at him, their faces so close. “Oh good, because I have a very specific question to ask you later this evening.” He gave his brows a shake. “I’ve already hired Lucy to look adorable, so you can’t say no.”
Despite herself, she grinned. “What if I already say yes—with no bribery required?”
His brow creased in a mock frown. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Her laughter caught in her throat as he breached the distance between them to claim her lips.
And as she returned her head to his shoulder and listened to the music, she closed her eyes and embraced the joy, which shone a whole lot brighter because of all the hurts.
The gratitude, which penetrated so much deeper because of the loss.
The hope, which promised sweeter things ahead, even if they had to work through the hard things to get there.
And in a town still stitching itself back together,thatwas the real beginning.
