Page 105 of Hearts on the Line

Ruth hides behind her hands.

“Now, don’t get emotional on me,” Bridget says.

June steadies herself with the back of her chair, and she and Gloria stand up to join Bridget, reading from a small notepad.

“You’ve been a touchstone in this community for years,” June begins, “covering everything from graduations and births to marriages and deaths. The good and bad. The exciting, even the silly⁠—”

“No one’s going to forget Roscoe, the water-skiing squirrel,” Gloria says.

Laughter echoes around the long row of tables pushed together.

“We want to show you our appreciation for working tirelessly for Merritt Point,” Bridget adds.

Then, turning their attention to Sloane, they continue. “We also want to thank Sloane for stepping up to fill your shoes and doing something that is probably impossible—because, let’s face it, Ruth is perfect. But the Merritt Point Herald couldn’t be in better hands now.”

More laughter ripples around the tables. Sloane quickly wipes at her eyes, then smiles at me. I come to stand beside her when she reaches for my hand and squeezes.

Suddenly, it feels like everyone’s attention is pinned on us.

“But Sloane,” Bridget continues, “tonight’s not just to celebrate you as the new editor-in-chief. You’ve brought new life to Merritt Point. To my family. And I just want to say, we’ve missed you, and we love you. And… Ethan will kill me if I make him speak, so I won’t.”

The corner of my mouth tugs up.

“Though I do have to say that I think my grandson is not only handsome and loyal, but he’s very talented and put on a beautiful dinner for everyone tonight. I’m forever grateful that you love him.”

Sloane looks up at me from her seat, her eyes full of tears, a beautiful, beaming smile on her face. As if she reads my mind, she tips her face up, and I dip down and kiss her in front of everybody.

We’re not going to be a secret anymore. I’m going to love Sloane Arden loudly.

“Welcome home, baby,” I whisper in her ear when we finally break apart.

She wipes at her face. Annie is hollering as Bridget and June high-five. Gloria clanks her spoon against her water glass, and soon, the whole barn is full of the crystal chorus to kiss again.

“Eat!” Jack yells, jumping from his seat. “Give them a break, and let’s eat!”

Sloane pulls the empty chair out beside her and pats the seat for me to join everyone and eat.

We stay well past midnight as the candles burn low and everyone sips wine and laughs about everything and nothing. It feels like more than a dinner. It feels like roots, something built to last.

“Thank you, Ethan,” she whispers.

I nod, brushing my lips against hers.

“I hope you like surprises.”

“This is the best surprise of all,” she says. “Coming back to you.”

Chapter 36

Sloane

One Month Later

And now, for her second trick.

For a few months, New England in the summer is perfection. Hot, long days that fade into magical nights—bright sunsets, thunderstorms, so much ice cream and laughter.

But before it goes to bed for the winter, there’s one more magical season that’s here only for a few weeks. The air switches from hot and muggy to crisp. The leaves start changing, and instead of days that feel long and like they will last forever, decay is heavy in the air as fall takes hold and winter looms.