Annie saw remorse conflict with the love in his eyes. Love won. Fumbling amid her tears, she unlatched security door. Sky swept her into his arms and she dropped her crutches. The locks she’d clamped around her heart sprang open.
All her doubts disappeared by the time Sky boosted Zack into his arms and they all made a pact never to let any barriers come between them again.
Epilogue
SPRING ARRIVED IN Briar Run after a fall and winter punctuated by hard work. Young couples had begun to settle once again in a town filled with colorful homes. The newly restored park, with rosebushes ready to bloom, was another attraction, as were the teen center and, of course, the revitalized economy.
“Zack loves first grade,” Sky said, slipping his arm around Annie’s waist as they toured the park. “I miss having him during the week when school’s in session, but I’m relieved that Corrine and I finally reached an equitable custody agreement.”
“I’m glad, too. Glad Archibald figured out their lawyer was keeping Corrine stirred up so he could earn more money. Archibald is actually a pretty decent guy. Life’s better for all of us.” Annie leaned her head against Sky’s shoulder as she paused to study the lifelike resin statue of her grandmother kneeling in a flower bed, one gloved hand holding a trowel. “How can I ever thank you enough for commissioning this likeness of Gran Ida? It brings me so much joy,” Annie said.
As they admired the statue, a bird came and perched on Gran’s shoulder and warbled a happy tune. Annie blinked back unbidden tears.
Gathering her close, Sky kissed them away. “I’m sorry she isn’t here to see the park in all its glory,” he murmured against Annie’s sun-warmed hair.
“Don’t mind me, Sky. These are happy tears. I feel Gran’s presence every time I come here. You know, meeting your folks, and then you giving me your grandmother’s engagement ring, was so special. But no gift will ever top the way you surprised me with this statue. It means my grandmother will attend our wedding this weekend.”
“Are you nervous about the wedding? I remember Sadie saying you told her that you doubted you’d ever get married.”
“Well, that was before you asked me. Before you and Zack filled my heart with love and I finally realized I have the capacity to love you back.”
He kissed her lips and they both smiled through the kiss as a sparrow landed on one of Zack’s hand-painted birdhouses. It was with reluctance that Sky finally lifted his head and leaned away. “Is everything ready for our important day? Aren’t weddings usually frantic this close to countdown? At least it was when Corrine and I...” His voice faded away.
“If we were responsible for all the arrangements, I suppose it would be. With our friends in charge, all we had to do was supply a list of people to invite. Oh...and show up.”
“Thank you again for agreeing to invite Archibald and Corrine and his girls.”
“How could we not when Zack loves them?”
“I told Corrine not to buy him a suit—that it’s casual.”
“The invitations make that plain. I’ve lost count of how many times I told Davena and Sadie that I do not want them making me a frilly white dress.”
Sky chuckled and they left the park hand in hand.
* * *
SATURDAY THE PARK teemed with people and laughter, and tables groaned with food. Residents who hadn’t seen the restored park exclaimed over the statue and the roses, now a riot of color. Practically everybody who lived in Briar Run was there, including the Spurlocks with their new baby daughter, and Sky’s parents, and two of Annie’s former coworkers from L.A. Aaron Loomis came, too, even though his tenure at City Manager was at an end. Briar Run was on solid financial ground now, and the residents had been able to elect a mayor and town council to govern them again.
All at once the Wedding March rang out from speakers hidden among the roses. Talk stopped. People turned toward the park entrance.
The minister who had given the eulogy at Gran Ida’s funeral went to stand in front of a gurgling fountain. He was joined by Sky, who beckoned to Zack. In black jeans and a light blue shirt, the boy was a carbon copy of his dad. “Where’s Annie?” Zack whispered loudly.
A murmur rose from the crowd, and she appeared on the flagstone walkway on the arm of Koot Talmage, who was clearly bursting with pride.
“Oh, Annie’s beautiful,” Zachary exclaimed for all to hear.
His dad echoed a hushed, “She is, isn’t she, son?” Words drowned out by a chorus of oohs and ahhs soared above the music as Annie slowly passed by.
Sky was suddenly deaf and blind to everything in the park except his soon-to-be bride. She floated toward him in her knee-length sundress made of simple white eyelet that fell over a pink lining made to match the baby roses twined in her hair. The roses were duplicated in a nosegay she carried in one trembling hand.
It was her smile that drew Sky. A smile that reached shining eyes, gazing at him with love. Love that humbled him, and he said so as he took her hand, and spoke the vows that bound them together as a family.
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781460316221
Copyright © 2013 by Rosaline Fox
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Annie's Neighborhood (Harlequin Heartwarming) Page 24
