Because in this moment, in our bed, in our home, with our daughter asleep in the next room, I know one thing for sure.
This is forever.
My happily ever after.
Epilogue Two
Somewhere Over The Rainbow Is An HEA
It’s my thirtieth birthday.
And I’m surrounded by more love than I’ve ever known.
Our house is buzzing with life—laughter, music, chaos. Kade’s family…my family.Our friends from town. The people who’ve built a home around me without ever asking me to change.
Aurora is walking now, babbling her way through conversations like she belongs in every single one. Kade’s doingeverything he can to get Honey Bea fully back up and running. We never figured out who was vandalizing the farm, but after he installed the cameras, the incidents stopped. He thinks it might’ve been kids, some dumb prank taken too far.
I don’t know. But for now, it’s quiet, and I’m thankful for it.
My man needs rest.
I glance up and spot Colby, Clementine, Hazel, and Gemma all huddled in a corner of the living room, laughing over something that has Colby cackling and Clem hiding behind her hands in shock. Hazel looks far too pleased with herself. Bea sits behind them with a cup of sweet tea, her eyes soft and misty as she watches her daughters reunited.
She glances up and shoots a smile at me like she knows what’s on my mind. Like I’m every bit as one of her girls as they are.
The weight of it hits me, but it’s not a wrecking ball that sends me running anymore. It’s soft, and sweet, and warm. Addicting. I’m not the outsider anymore. I’m not the girl passing through, testing the waters.
I belong here with them.
With Kade and Aurora.
Everyone is here today to celebrate me in the biggest, best birthday party I’ve ever had. Everyone except for my best friend.
My chest tightens at the thought of Abby. A little over a month ago, she shocked me by buying Mabel’s candle shop downtown—the whole building and everything inside it. She said it was a gut feeling.A calling.
Her dream apothecary is finally within reach.
She has a few loose ends to wrap up in New York before the move becomes permanent, so she couldn’t swing a visit for my birthday. But I’m too excited to be upset. Too proud of her for taking the leap to care about my birthday.
She deserves this.
A taste of happiness.
Who knows? Maybe she’ll find her own Heart Springs happily ever after.
I refill the pitcher of sun tea and wipe my hands on a towel, half listening to Kade’s friends talk about their new company—Last Out Security.
Griffin, Wilder, and even Ridge—our elusive, salt-and-pepper mustached foreman with a jawline cut from stone, are all grinning over beer and paperwork.
Everything feels settled, peaceful.
Right.
Except... Kade and Aurora have been missing for ten minutes, and I’m starting to get worried. Those two alone means trouble or messes, every single time.
“Hey,” I call, and all three men turn to me with soft smiles. I blush. “Have you guys seen—?”
“Happy birthday to you...”
