Page 94 of My Small Town Silver Fox Billionaire

“I know you will. You’ve been here, and you won’t be leaving.”

“I have no reason to leave. You’re right here, and you’re the most important person in my life. I don’t want to ever leave you.”

It feels so right saying all of this. Our lips come together again. I deepen the kiss, and soon, our passionate embrace molds us together again. I never want to let her go but savor this moment together forever. As I pull back, I touch her face, her soft skin perfect against my fingers.

“I love you, Sara.”

“I love you too, Robert. Now and forever.”

Epilogue Sara

Four years later….

I look out at the audience of people. My heart thuds, my stomach churns like I’m about to throw up.

“That’s a lot of people . . . .”

“Of course it is, Sara! Lots of people have seen the good work you’ve done, dear.”

I listen to May’s words of encouragement. Even though she’s traded the cane she used for a walker, she’s still as spry as ever, and I’m so grateful.

“Thanks, May.”

“Of course! And I see your number one in the front row.”

She points to the man sitting front and center. Our eyes meet briefly, and he smiles before looking down at his phone again.

Robert. He has been my rock these last four years.

“You’ve got this,” May encourages. I turn to her, nodding.

“You’re right. Still, it feels surreal, being here.”

“It is. Remember when you first asked if you could work at my sanctuary?”

I chuckle. “Yeah, and you told me that I was crazy.”

“I thought you were, but I realize that you actually are crazy. Crazy compassionate.”

I laugh. In a way, she’s right. Robert and I have made strides to build a sanctuary to call my own on adjacent land May deeded to me. We eventually merged mine with May’s, creating a major animal sanctuary. May hired more staff while I was in school.

Now that I’ve graduated, I can finally work on making this place even better, and May can get the rest she deserves . . . just not too far away. I think she plans to stay in that sweet little house in the woods now that Robert has had it totally renovated for her. So, I expect to see her working with some of the animals pretty frequently. And of course, her trusty blind dog, Ramby, who is still hanging on.

The crowd cheers, and I snap back to the now. Applause fills the crowd. May pats me on the forearm and gestures me out there.

“Go for it.”

I smile, heading outside toward the microphone. I grab it, feeling the nerves return with a vengeance. Even though May was all supportive backstage, the realization settles in the second I see all the eyes on me.

I know I shouldn’t be nervous, but I am. Maybe it’s my personal qualms, but I am hesitant about being here in front of so many people. Still, I need to face this.

“Hello, and thank you all for coming! This new and improved animal sanctuary is a product of the fruits of all of our labor. Without your support and help, we wouldn’t have been able to save the animals we have, but there are so many, many more that need help. I’m so thankful and excited to have built aplace to call my own and to take ownership of May’s incredible sanctuary as well! ”

The crowd cheers. I look down, seeing Bianca and Katie also near the front. Katie’s holding some guy’s hand. She finally got a boyfriend after all this time.

We stay in touch, but they moved in together after Katie got her man. It wasn’t a problem, as I could move into a dorm at school. Bianca also had a guy with her, and I saw a ring on her hand.

And I’m so pleased to see my mother there, sitting next to Robert. What a turnaround. I am so grateful to her for being here. She catches my eye and gives me the big thumbs-up sign. Amazingly, Robert’s parents have flown in for the event as well. I could not be more shocked or more pleased, and I give them a huge grin, making both of them smile in return.

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