“And I love you,” she whispered, standing on her tiptoes to press her forehead against his.“No matter what’s happened, no matter what the world tries to throw at us, we’re going to face it together.We’re going to overcome anything, because that’s what we do.That’s who we are.”
“Together,” he agreed, his voice raw with emotion.
“Together,” she confirmed, sealing the promise with a soft kiss.“I’m sorry about the WHO job.You would have been an amazing addition to their group.”
“I don’t care about that anymore.It was something I thought I needed.An opportunity to prove that everything that happened in California could be put behind me, that my being a world-renowned surgeon would make everything somehow better.”He leaned forward and brushed a soft kiss against her forehead.“But I’ve found something far more important than prestige or validation, bigger than any job.You, your family, this town—you’ve made me realize that I’ve found where I belong, here in Shiloh Springs.Helping people, fixing things, it’s what I’m meant to do, where I’m meant to be.”
Nica felt tears building behind her lids and blinked rapidly.Tonight wasn’t a night for what might have been or regrets.Her heart overflowed with so much love she felt like she might float away on a cloud of happiness.
“You belong here.Now that there are no more secrets, no more lies or threats, we can build our future together and make Shiloh Springs our home.”
“Did I tell you how happy I am that you’re taking over responsibility for managing the clinic?We’ve needed somebody who understands business, not just running things, but has organizational skills, bookkeeping savvy, and how to help it grow and bring it into the twenty-first century.I have so many plans, ways to improve healthcare, and with you by my side, able to use the degrees you worked so hard for, there’s nothing we can’t do to help the people in our town be healthy and happy.”
Nica moved to lean against Gabe, placing her head against his shoulder.When she’d been in the hospital, they’d had a long talk about what they were going to do, where they’d work, where they’d live, even whether they’d stay in Shiloh Springs or move someplace where Gabe could use his cardiovascular surgeon skills.The best part—they’d decided things together this time, with neither of them making arbitrary decisions without discussion as partners.They’d decided they could make a big difference in the health and welfare of their small-town community, with Gabe continuing to treat patients at the clinic and at the hospital.He’d also travel to other places when his specialized skills were needed, like he’d done when he’d come to College Station.She’d take over everything else pertaining to the clinic.A thrill of excitement coursed through her at the thought of taking their small medical practice and building it, honing it into something that could help every person in their county.They’d build outpatient programs, as well as set up additional physicians who could do house calls for those who couldn’t manage to get into the clinic.They’d be expanding their space, possibly moving into a new location once things were more organized.Nica had discovered there was a lot that had fallen through the cracks as Doc Jenkins had gotten older.It was a big job, but she and Gabe were up for the challenge.
Around them, the celebration continued, but for that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.They had survived the storm, and now they were ready to embrace whatever lay ahead—hand in hand, heart to heart, for the rest of their lives.
Nica glanced across the room, meeting her momma’s tear-filled gaze and her million-watt smile, and knew from this day forward life would be okay, because she had everything she’d ever dreamed of.The man she adored, a family who loved her, and the promise of a future bright and filled with hope.
As one of the caterers walked past, Gabe placed their empty glasses on the tray and grabbed two more glasses of champagne, handing Nica one.
“Here’s to our new beginning, my love.My wife.My everything.”
“And to you.My joy.My husband.May today be the beginning of our life together, our turning point to the greatest adventure of all, our happily ever after.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
EPILOGUE
December, a couple of weeks before Christmas
The community centerbuzzed with laughter and conversation, strings of white lights casting a warm glow over the celebration swirling within.Dusty Warner stood near the back wall, watching as Gabe spun Nica around the makeshift dance floor, both radiating the kind of happiness that seemed to light up everything around them.So much had happened to his friends in the past several months—danger that had threatened to tear them apart, chaos that could have destroyed everything they’d built together.But they’d managed to make their way through it all, finding their happiness on the other side.Now, tonight, they celebrated with their family and the whole town.Looking at the happiness on Douglas and Ms.Patti’s faces made all the craziness worthwhile.
Dusty lifted the champagne flute in his hands, then lowered it without taking a sip.He’d grabbed one when they’d made the toast to the happy couple, though he couldn’t stand the stuff.He’d been around enough champagne when he’d been a kid that he could have drowned in it.More than once, he’d snuck a bottle out and shared it with his friends, back in those days when he lived in Hollywood, even though he’d barely been a teenager.But those days were long ago, and he didn’t miss them.Honestly, didn’t miss anything about his old life.He’d come to love Shiloh Springs and everything it stood for.
The holidays were coming, with Christmas only a couple of weeks away.He’d watched the businesses up and down Main Street put out decorations on their storefronts, and it seemed like every day there were more twinkly lights and colored baubles adorning the awnings and windows.Yet he felt—nothing.Almost like he was empty inside.
Lost in his thoughts, he hadn’t paid too much attention to the people around him, so he hadn’t noticed Shiloh and Ridge, the Boudreau twins, move to stand with him, one on either side.Each held a bottle of beer in their hands, and with a grin Ridge held out one to him.
Dusty gave a sigh and took it, putting the still-full champagne glass on a nearby table.“Thanks.”
“Figured you might need something with a little more substance,” Shiloh said, his voice carrying that easy drawl that marked all the Boudreau brothers.“You looked about as thrilled with that champagne as a cat in a bathtub.”
Ridge chuckled, taking a long pull from his beer.“Can’t say I blame you.That fancy stuff tastes like fizzy disappointment to me.”
Dusty managed a small smile, the first genuine one he’d worn all evening.“It’s good to see them happy,” he said, nodding toward where Gabe was now dipping Nica dramatically, making her laugh so hard she couldn’t catch her breath.“After everything they went through…”
“Yeah,” Shiloh agreed, his expression growing more serious.“Thought we might lose them both for a while there.But look at them now.”
“Love has a way of pulling people through the worst of times,” Ridge added, then shot a sideways glance at Dusty.“Speaking of which, you’ve been standing over here looking like someone stole your favorite truck.What’s eating at you?”
Dusty shrugged, rolling the cold bottle between his palms.“Nothing specific.Just…I don’t know.Everyone’s getting into the Christmas spirit, decorating, planning, and I feel like I’m watching it all from behind the glass.Like I can see it but can’t quite touch it, you know?”
The twins exchanged a look over his head that he pretended not to notice.
“Maybe I should take off for a couple weeks after the new year,” Dusty continued.“Get some distance, clear my head.Figure out what’s wrong with me.”
Shiloh snorted.“Nothing’s wrong with you, brother.You’re just restless.”
