I turn my eyes up at Ben.
His face softens. “Say the word, baby, and we’ll do it. I’m always at your service.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. It’s you I love, and this is you.”
I give him a wobbly smile as thanks before I stare down at the stretch of road and at the place where the truck turned off. I check my pistol in its holster, although I already know it’s fully loaded.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Then Ben and I start down the road.
EPILOGUE
A year later,I’ve put on a dress again for the first time in months.
It’s not the normal girly dress I use when I’m pretending to be harmless and feminine. This one has a simple cut, a square neckline, and a pretty ruffle at the hemline, which falls to the middle of my calves. It’s sewn from a soft fabric in a dusty cream color.
I borrowed it from Nicky.
It’s as close as I could find to a wedding dress.
“You’re sure I don’t look ridiculous?” I ask, peering at myself in the mirror of the cottage we’re using to get ready.
“Ridiculous? What are you talking about? You’ve always been the most beautiful woman who ever lived.” As she speaks, Teresa is combing out my hair, trying to arrange the long mass of waves so it falls in pretty curls.She’s looking particularly soft and pretty in a new blue dress she had made for her by her village dressmaker.
“Don’t exaggerate.”
“Who’s exaggerating? Ask anyone. Let’s bring Ben in here and see what he says about how beautiful you are.”
“Ben isn’t going to tell you the truth. He’s woefully biased about my qualities.” Despite the words, I can’t help but smile at myself in the mirror as I think about him.
“Well, yes. He definitely is. But he wouldn’t be wrong in this. I know you don’t care that much about appearances, but you’re beautiful, Annabelle. You always have been.”
“Thank you.” I meet her eyes in the mirror. “I’m so glad you were able to come. You’re sure it’s not too much of a risk for your family? Mason isn’t worried about it, is he?”
“He’s a little worried—but only the way he’s always worried when we travel. He’s been completely on board with this trip. He wouldn’t have wanted us to miss it.”
“Okay. But be sure to head straight home afterward and stay out of sight as much as you can.”
“We will. We’ll be careful. I promise. Now stop worrying about us and focus on your own wedding.”
“I’m focused.” I adjust the neckline slightly. It’s a little loose since I don’t have much up top. “I’m used to focusing on about a million things at once.”
“Well, right now your only focus should be on Ben and your wedding.” She leans over to pick up prettybouquet of wildflowers she wrapped in ribbon earlier. “Your hair isn’t going to behave itself, but it’s gorgeous anyway. You look perfect.” Her mouth wobbles slightly. “I’m so happy for you. So proud of you.”
“Don’t you dare get me emotional,” I mutter, giving her an exaggerated glare.
She giggles. “I’ll be good. But I had to say it at least once.”
When I stand up, I follow the impulse and wrap my arms around her. We hug tightly, silently, for longer than expected, before we pull apart.
A minute later,we’re walking out the door of the cottage to the sound of music—Sasha on her fiddle and someone else on the flute.
The villagers have created an aisle with ropes and small bunches of wildflowers. At the end of the aisle is Ben, flanked by Vella on one side and his older brother and Roderick on the other.
