EPILOGUE
Four months later
Standing on the top rung of a stepladder, I stretch up on tiptoes while I work a screwdriver.
There.The brand-new, number 140 sign is now securely attached to the porch. I lean back to admire my handiwork.
“Steady—” Beau is right behind me, his hand resting on the small of my back. As I climb down the ladder, he guides me, with light fingers on my hips. When I reach the penultimate step, I tumble backward into his arms, and he catches me.
Of course, he does.
I giggle in pure happiness. I’ll never tire of that feeling of trusting him. Of knowing he’s always there to protect me.
Wrapping his arms around my waist, he buries his face in the side of my neck and gives a possessive growl. I shiver in delight, and gaze at the brand-new shop that my amazing mate has created for me.
It’s all white gingerbread trimmings on powder-blue clapboard—the exact same shade as Bertha. It looks good enough to eat. Every inch of it worked on with love. The inside is flooded with light, ivory walls and wooden floors, and plenty of space to display my designs.
Above the darker blue front door, a sign reads, Come a Long Way, Baby.
I picked the name of the store myself. I was worried Beau would think it was dumb, but he said, “it’s perfect. It’s you, Savannah.”
It’s also him—because none of this would’ve happened without his love and support. And that’s why I love it.
Naming the store and attaching the street number has been my sole contribution. The rest is all Beau. For the last two months, he kept his little project a secret. Every day, he took me to dress-making school on the back of his motorcycle, then, he came back to Perdue Town and worked on renovating this little store he’d purchased on Main Street. He took a bunch of photos for me—the little building was real run-down and hadn’t been inhabited for years. Now, it’s a beautifully restored Victorian boutique.
“Congratulations on your new place, Honey,” Beau says.
I twist around in his arms and pull him down for a kiss. His beard is soft beneath my fingertips and his lips as firm and dreamy as ever. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I say. I still can’t believe it’s real. Can’t believe I have my own place, stocked with my own designs.
Seven days ago, Beau picked me up from school and parked the motorcycle up a couple of streets away. Then he blindfolded me and led me here. When he finally slipped the blindfold off, it took my poor brain a long while to catch up. He wasn’t just showing me a ridiculously pretty little building, which stood out in a street of dark, shuttered stores. It was mine. My own fashion boutique. Created by my mate, just for me. I burst into tears right there. So much love. So much care for my happiness and dreams.
Ever since then, my head has been bursting with ideas. I have a half-dozen prototype dresses ready. I just signed a contract with a local family-owned factory that will manufacture them for me. And while I’m growing my collection, I’ll display the stock of other local designers. Beau is a whiz with the Internet, of course, and he’s already helped me track down some contacts.
We take a bunch of photos of the shop and each other. Beau always has his camera out. Every moment is precious, he says.
I lock the door, with my brand-new key, then we go pick up Bertha. We’re throwing an opening party tomorrow, and we need to go buy some supplies.
All these months later, Bertha is still our home—as well as our transport. Beau has offered to buy me any mansion, castle or palace I want, in the whole wide world. But it turns out, nothing makes us happier than living in our little bus. In time—and definitely when we have cubs—we’ll need someplace bigger. But for now, sleeping in this little home, with the river tinkling beside us, is all we need.
* * *
The following evening,I stand in the doorway of my very own boutique, nervously waiting for people to arrive. I put a few signs around town, inviting anybody who wants to come. I also went around and invited all the other businesses on Main Street. Some people were kinda suspicious, a few were even hostile—as people often are in Perdue Town. I’m hoping they’ll come around in time, though.
When two tall, statuesque figures appear on the porch, my heart leaps, and I rush out and greet Meredith and her sister, Valeria.
“Told you he was a keeper,” Meredith comments, taking in the building with her shrewd gaze.
“You like it?” I’m fishing for compliments, but I don’t care. I’m so proud of Beau’s work.
“It’s…beautiful. Real beautiful,” she replies, unusually effusively. “He’s done good, that man of yours.”
“He has,” I say happily.
“And you deserve it, hun. All of it.” She sweeps me up in one of her fierce hugs.
My eyes prickle and I blink back tears. “Thank you,” I manage to say. I don’t work at Sinner’s anymore—when I’m not busy with school assignments, Beau demands all my time—but my relationship with Meredith has continued to grow. She’s truly the mother I never had.
Right after Beau claimed me, he tracked down my pack. Then he asked me if I wanted to visit them, demand to know who my real mom was. With no hesitation, I said no. It doesn’t matter to me anymore. Beau’s love fills my heart completely. When I need advice on girl stuff, and mothering, Meredith’s there for me. And when Elinor and I are both free at the same time, we hang out, gossiping and watching movies. My whole life is here now, with this little ‘found family’ of mine. And I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.