“So…?”
“My dad,” Drew explained. “He put the car in storage. Arranged through his lawyer to keep up the payments even after he died. The terms were if I ever returned to Harper Falls, the car was to be delivered to me.”
“And it was.”
Drew nodded. “It showed up on my doorstep the next day.”
Tyler turned into his arms. Another example of how much his father loved him.
“I know you hate taking expensive gifts, Ty. I thought this time—”
“Stay right there.” Tyler raced back into the house. She called over her shoulder, “Don’t move.”
Puzzled, Drew waited. Less than a minute later, Tyler popped back through the door, a huge smile on her face.
“You’re letting me give you the car?” he asked, grinning back. He took the key out of his pocket, holding it out to her.
“No need.”
Tyler extended her hand, palm up. There, still on its chain, was the key he gave her ten years earlier.
“You kept it.”
Hearing the wonder in his voice, Tyler felt tears form in her eyes. It might only be a key. A small, shiny piece of metal. What it symbolized made it priceless.
“I could never bring myself to throw it away.”
“I love you, Ty.”
“I love you.”
“Come on; let’s see if it still fits.”
Feeling like teenagers again, they piled into the car. Tyler inserted the key, turning the ignition. Smooth as silk.
“Let’s go.”
“Where?” Tyler asked.
“Just drive. I’ll guide you as we go.”
Where they ended up was as surprising as the car. And just as meaningful.
As they got out of the car, Tyler marveled that the path down to the river was still here. Drew thought his Thunderbird would end up on the scrap heap. She thought Regina would have blown this place to kingdom come.
Silently, Drew took her hand, leading her down. Such a familiar journey, yet somehow new. This time they weren’t hiding. If someone saw Tyler Jones and Drew Harper together, well, let them look. Kids no longer. Adults, able to make their own decisions. Free to love.
“The last time we were here…”
Tyler squeezed his hand. The worst day of her life. She looked around the cove. So many happy times. For too long, this place represented only pain. Finally, she was able to reclaim the good times.
“We can come back here anytime we want. From now on, I want our lasting memory to be a good one.”
Drew released Tyler’s right hand, picking up her left. His eyes locked on hers, he slipped a platinum band onto her ring finger. The diamond wasn’t large, the setting a bit old-fashioned. In other words, it was perfect.
“It belonged to my great-great-grandmother. My dad showed it to me once. He made me promise to find a woman who wanted me enough to accept a ring whose sentimental value far outweighed its monetary worth.”
Drew lightly touched her mouth with his. The kiss sweet.
“Marry me, Tyler?”
Beaming, Tyler nodded. Her answer, simple. After all these years, there was no need for more.
“Yes.”
EPILOGUE
“THE STATUE IS perfect, Tyler.”
Tyler thanked the unknown woman. All day since the unveiling of her contribution to the Harper Falls Centennial, people had come up to her like they were old friends. Most were complete strangers. Tyler simply smiled, the glow of success practically beaming from every pore.
The celebration, over two years in the planning, was a party like nothing Harper Falls had ever known. Those who warned about snow ruining the festivities were proven wrong.
It was the second week in December. The weather was unseasonably mild. Crowds of happy people milled around, taking in puppet shows, eating food from booths where vendors served a mind-boggling assortment. Hot chocolate. Spiced cider. The choices were neverending.
“Your book will be sold out by the end of the day,” Tyler said to Dani.
The hardcover history of Harper Falls was filled with a mixture of old and new photographs. Dani spent months taking pictures, compiling what she hoped was a proper representation. By the way people snapped it up, she nailed it.
“I’m amazed. There are already plans for a second printing.”
“Well, I’m not surprised.” Alex took Dani into his arms, giving her a thorough kiss. “You are a brilliant photographer.”
“I would say love is blind, except that would be false modesty.”
They all laughed. Tyler looked around at her friends, the men they loved.
Rose had something she never thought possible. Love. Jack Winston took the opening she provided and ran with it. The one-night stand that never happened turned into a true love story.
Dani found the love of her life, gave him up, only to get her second chance. She and Alex were perfect together. Both strong, resilient. Their future wonderfully, blindingly bright.
“You did it, Ty.”
Drew came up behind her, his arms slipping around her waist. He rubbed his cheek against her hair.
“Everyone finally sees what I always knew. You are brilliant, my love.”
He nodded toward the bronze statue prominently displayed in the town center. A man, a woman, and a child. They represented Harper Falls. Family. Opportunity. A place that welcomed everyone — turned away none. It was an ideal. Something to strive for. She wanted generations to come to look at it and understand the tradition being passed to them.
“I thought I needed to prove this town wrong,” Tyler relaxed against Drew. “I was going to show them that Tyler Jones was capable of being more than a hot head. I wanted to shove my talent in their faces and say, ‘You thought I couldn’t do it? Well, look. I’m good. Damn good.’”
“You did just that.”
“I’ve suddenly realized it wasn’t the people of Harper Falls I needed to prove something to; it was me. In spite of all my bravado, I’ve always had a little voice telling me I wasn’t good enough. Well, you know what, Drew Harper? I am.”
Drew spun her around, kissing the breath out of her.
“Damn straight, you are.” He kissed her again, slower. “Mmm, how much longer do we have to stay?”
“Down boy,” Tyler laughed.
She took his hand, strolling through the street.
“I’m going to say this, and then the name can be locked away again. Where is Regina?”
The Harper Falls Centennial celebration was Regina’s baby. She pushed, prodded, bullied. Micro-managed every detail. Now, she wasn’t here to enjoy her labors.
“You didn’t really expect her?”
“I know she isn’t known to socialize with the common folk.” Tyler looked around. Definitely not Regina’s crowd.
“I imagine she’ll put in an appearance,” Drew shrugged. “Let the hoi polloi bask in her presence for a few minutes then return to her crypt.”
And with that, as promised, the subject of Regina Harper was retired. She had no place in their happy lives. That shadow was lifted forever.
They joined their friends, everyone getting something hot to drink. Alex’s sister Lila, who spent the morning making sure her flower displays were properly set out, accepted a cup of cider from Jack.
“Here’s to us.” Jack raised his cup with one hand, his other holding one of Rose’s.
“To us,” the group echoed, tapping cups all around.
They drank, talking, enjoying the company.
When Rose’s phone signaled an incoming text, she handed her hot chocolate to Jack. Looking at the message, she gave a bemused laugh.
“What?” Tyler asked.
Rose turned the phone so everyone could see.
“Guess who’s coming to Christmas dinner?”
COMING IN OCTOBER
IF I HAD YOU — CHRISTMAS IN HARPER FALLS
LILA’S STORY
illiams, If You Only Knew (Harper Falls #3)
If You Only Knew (Harper Falls #3) Page 30
