Hand-in-hand with Wyatt, Melissa approached, her smile so dazzling that Lori thought it might blind her. "I wanted everyone to meet you."
Lori's gaze roamed around the room, noting mostly familiar faces. "I know these people," she said, puzzled.
"Not in this way." Melissa reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Lori's ear. "Come meet my friends, little sister."
Lori's heart tripled in size. She looked up at Josh, and he grinned. She saw a matching one stretch across Wyatt's face.
All over the room, people were smiling. Smiling at her. Welcoming her to Whitehorn and into their lives.
A shiver of pure happiness, pure as Montana air, rushed over her skin. She was part of a family. Part of this town.
"Thank you," she said to Melissa. "Thank you," Lori called out to all the happy faces around her.
Then she turned to Josh, her passionate, patient partner. "Thank you." The sound of a champagne cork popping made her laugh out loud.
The sound signified her future. And, as for her past … it wasn't her weakness any longer. She knew that. It was what made her exalt in this moment. It was what made her cherish Josh. It was what made her better able to appreciate her love for him and their great good luck that they'd found each other.
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IN LOVE WITH HER BOSS Page 18
