Epilogue
A month later…
Sterling leaned against the makeshift bar at the pavilion at Mallor's Landing and stared at the happy couple dancing. Who knew Trent had moves outside of tangoing with gators?
The wedding itself had been nothing short of spectacular. More romantic than Sterling would have guessed. Dove cried as Jack, Trent's dad performed the ceremony. Trent got all choked up during the vows. And there wasn’t a dry eye in the place when Dove gave tribute to Trent’s mom, Linda, informing everyone they were having a little girl and naming her Scarlet Linda Mallor.
Sterling glanced across the outdoor space at his parents. They were seated at a table with Jack, Silas, and Silas' wife, laughing and enjoying all the good things that Calusa Cove had to offer. This was, by far, one of the best decisions Sterling had ever made with his life. He knew living out the rest of his days in this town, with these people, would keep him content until his last breath.
But it was the woman strolling toward him that made his heart race.
"That dress is absolutely stunning." Juniper hopped up on the bar stool, crossed her ankles, and swayed with the music.
"I don't think I've ever seen Dove wear a dress." Sterling waved to the bartender. He'd already placed his order, but had asked to wait to be served until his lovely date had returned. "Not even when we were up in Jacksonville, and Timothy White, the man who runs that office threw a big party and made all of us wear suits."
"What did Dove wear?"
Sterling shook his head and laughed. "A tie and sport coat. She looked like just like her uncle, the Marshall. We tried to nickname her Marsh. It didn't work out, though. She threatened to kill us in our sleep."
"Well, she carries off cowboy boots and a wedding dress like she was born to style it." Juniper took the strawberry martini the bartender placed in front of her and sipped. "I heard the wedding dress was pieced together from Trent's mom’s and Dove's mom’s wedding dresses. How sweet is that?"
"That's what everyone's saying."
"If I ever do it again, I could handle something like this." She set down her glass. "Not this big, though. But even the gators seem to be enjoying themselves."
"I honestly thought Trent was gonna put Dolly, the big girl, in a tutu and a leash, and walk her down the aisle." Sterling took a pull from his beer. "Here comes Dawson."
"And in uniform. I feel bad he has to work."
"Someone has to keep this town safe." Sterling looped his arm around Juniper. "Good evening, Chief."
"Rumor has it, there's news over here." Dawson glanced down at Juniper's hand.
Sterling was going to have to have a word with his mother.
"What news?" Juniper asked, tilting her head, obviously oblivious to his mother mistaking his request for the ring tomean he had immediate plans. Which now wasn't even the point because she was staring, smiling, and waving excitedly. That could only mean she’d told people that he had intentions. He did, but not today, although both his parents had always told him he shouldn't put things off.
"The news I'm about to deliver," Dawson said. "Just trying to be funny. My wife says my humor falls flat these days."
"I seriously doubt that." Sterling had to hand it to Dawson for his quick wit and fast recovery. He'd buy him a beer later and see if the man could help with damage control before the entire town turned on him for not being romantic. Or a shitty boyfriend. Or accused him of some other love crime.
"Anyway, I thought you’d both like to know that Bea is fully cooperating," Dawson said.
"Did she cut a deal?" Juniper set her drink aside and folded her arms. "Is she going to get off scot-free?"
"I wasn't given the details, so whatever deal she did cut, we'll never know how she's paying for her role. But Chloe's found she's giving names. And between what she's told those running this show, and what Doyle's added, Koda's going away for a very long time."
"How big was Shrike?" Sterling asked.
"Not as big as you would expect," Dawson said. "Koda’s been running the show from the beginning. He found the people he could trust, or at least, manipulate, and played both sides of the fence. He didn't care who it hurt. And it was never about controlling the government. It was about power. Greed. Money. That's it."
That didn't surprise Sterling. Not after what he'd seen when he'd taken down the first corridor.
"What about the Hallorans? Do you know if their names have been associated with any of this?" Juniper glanced up at Sterling. "I know they appeared clean. And I also know myinterest has more to do with things I wish I didn't know and that aren't any of my business?—"
"We're all worried about Tamara," Dawson said softly. "And I haven’t heard or seen Royce or Graham in any of the reports. And I've asked. And I’ll keep asking."
The bartender leaned across the counter and handed Dawson a water bottle.
