“You really quit your job.”
Grace nodded. “Gave them my notice after I used up all my sick time.”
“I can’t blame you.”
“I’ll start the great job search when we get back. Dameon wants to put me on his payroll for all the work I’m doing for him. But I’m not going there.”
“I don’t see why not.”
“I don’t want him to feel obligated. I help him because I love him and want to, not because it’s a job.”
“I understand.”
Erin’s laugh had them both looking over. “She’s glowing,” Parker said.
Grace smiled. “I know. We’re going to have to throw a huge baby shower to make it up to Aunt Beth for not inviting her.”
“I can’t wait. All the tiny clothes and little shoes and stuffed toys.” Parker was gushing.
Grace stared at her sister-in-law. “Look at you, the woman who said she doesn’t want kids, getting all mushy over the very idea.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t want kids. I said I didn’t want to start right away.”
Grace’s jaw dropped. “That’s a total lie. I’ve heard you say more than once you weren’t interested.”
Parker looked across the beach to where the men were talking. “I’m young. I can change my mind.”
Grace reached out to hug her. “You’re going to make Colin so happy.”
“He’s ecstatic about being an uncle. He already bought tiny overalls.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. He said overalls can be worn by a girl or a boy, so it’s safe. I know he’ll be a wonderful uncle, but I think he’d be an even better dad.”
Grace clutched her hands to her chest. “Have you told him yet?”
Parker shook her head. “I have to wait until we have some down time. He’s not going to let me out of the bedroom until the plus sign shows up on the stick.”
Grace laughed so hard she doubled over.
“Right?” Parker laughed with her.
“What’s so funny over here?” Colin and Dameon walked up.
“Nothing,” Grace laughed.
Colin reached out a hand and pulled Parker to her feet. “I want to dance with my wife.”
“There isn’t any music.”
“Sure there is . . . it’s in my heart.”
“Awww.”
They started to walk off.
“That was sappy, Colin.”
“You’re just jealous, Gracie.”
Dameon reached for her hand. “C’mon.”
“You want to dance without music, too?”
“Nawh. Let’s take a walk.”
Grace glanced over to see Matt and Erin kissing in the light of the sunset and the wedding photographer snapping pictures.
Grace and Dameon walked on the warm water’s edge holding hands. “Today was perfect,” Grace said.
“It really was. I think they’re going to be happy for a long time.”
Dameon lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
She stopped and smiled.
“I love you, Dameon.”
“Those words never get old.”
He leaned over to kiss her right as Erin called her name. “Hey, Grace?”
She didn’t get her kiss. “What?”
Erin waved her over.
“The bride calls,” Grace muttered.
They started back. Less than five yards away Erin held up her hand. “Hold up.”
“What?” Grace asked.
Without warning, Erin tossed her bouquet in the air.
Grace let loose Dameon’s hand and caught it.
“What the . . .” Behind Erin, Grace noticed Dameon’s mom and a man she didn’t recognize standing beside her.
What’s going on?
“You’re the only eligible woman here,” Erin said with a laugh.
“Ha, ha . . . very funny. Dameon, don’t let them—” She turned to find Dameon down on one knee.
Grace’s hands fell to her sides, the flowers loose in her hand.
“Grace . . .”
“Oh my God.” She couldn’t breathe.
Dameon smiled with a cat that ate the canary grin and reached to take her hand.
“You are the single best thing that has ever happened in my life.”
“Oh my God.”
“I think about you every day when I wake up, and every night when I close my eyes. I envision a half a dozen little Graces running around a twelve-foot Christmas tree and a huge fireplace. I think about you when I toss a pebble in a lake and see the ripples change the texture of the water. Because that’s what you did when you came into my life. You changed everything. And I want you to keep changing everything for as long as we have on this earth.”
Grace sniffed and brushed away her tears with the flowers in her hand.
Out of what seemed to be nowhere, Dameon held a tiny white box. Inside was a diamond ring.
“Grace Marie Hudson. Will you marry me?”
She dropped to her knees and kissed him like he was water and she was a fish flopping on the shore.
“I love you.”
“Is that a yes?”
He was crying.
“Yes, that’s a yes . . . Oh my God.”
Their families behind them were clapping.
Dameon slid the ring on her finger and kissed her again. “I’m the happiest man in the world right now. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
He brought her to her feet and slowly walked back to their families. She couldn’t believe this was really happening.
Grace studied all of them. “You all knew about this?”
There were lots of shrugs and maybes.
Mrs. Locke pulled her into a hug.
“Where did you come from?”
“I’ve been hiding in the trees like a pervert.”
Grace couldn’t stop smiling. “So glad you’re here.”
Dameon motioned to the man beside Lois. “Grace, this is my brother, Tristan.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you.” She reached out a hand but Tristan opened both arms for a hug.
“I always wanted a little sister.”
Grace was pretty sure she was slightly older than Tristan. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Dameon’s arm wrapped around Grace’s shoulders the second Tristan stopped hugging her.
“Maybe you can help my big bro relax a little,” Tristan said.
Grace laughed and Lois giggled.
And giggled.
And giggled.
Dameon and Grace exchanged glances.
“You guys haven’t been eating Maui cookies, have you?”
Tristan stared at his mom. “Oops.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It’s always nice to sit down at the end of a book and write from my own point of view. Setting the Creek Canyon novels in a place I called home for twenty-one years of my life came with its own challenges. I wanted to highlight the small town feel of the Santa Clarita Valley while giving the reader enough drama and conflict to keep you entertained. To that end there has to be a bad guy or two. For the record, I have no knowledge of bad bosses at city hall. I have, however, eaten more prime rib at The Backwoods Inn than most. The close-knit communities—from the bowling alley to the block-long Candy Cane Lane–themed neighborhoods—are staples of the city. To my friends, and friends I consider family, I miss and love you all. I simply couldn’t stay for another fire season.
This trilogy has been painful at times and cathartic at others. There is closure after writing these stories that I didn’t expect but am grateful for.
Thank you, Montlake and Amazon Publishing, for giving me the creative freedom to write the stories that sit deep in my heart.
Thank you to my editors, Maria Gomez and Holly Ingraham. Maria, you always believe in me, and that never goes unappreciated. Holly, thank you for helping me put the sparkle in the finished product. It’s been a pleasure working with you.
To Jane Dystel, your guidance through the maze of this crazy publishing world is always spot-on. Thank you.
And last, I would like to put a spotlight on Whiskey. This crazy rescue black Lab had endless energy and spirit. You were a joy from the moment you showed up in our lives. During the fire you didn’t leave our side for even a second, and when it was time to flee you jumped inside the car as if you were going to drive us away.
You were one of the family and are sorely missed.
Until we meet again.
Catherine
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2015 Julianne Gentry
New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has written thirty-four books that have collectively sold more than eight million copies and have been translated into more than eighteen languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full time and has penned the Not Quite series, the Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series. For more information on the author, visit www.catherinebybee.com.
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