Page 46 of Luck of the Draw

She really did have magic powers, because the whole gathering suddenly went as silent as the grave.

“As many of you know, we are having this celebration for our wonderful new tasting room manager, Dylan DiVirgilio. I am so thrilled to pass on the torch.” She lifted something from the ground, a long stick, it looked like, with a pile of rags attached to it.

Before I could get out my “oh shit,” she had removed a lighter from her pocket.

River was on her so fast it was like he had supernatural powers. He put an arm around her, his eyes wide with alarm, while Georgie pocketed the lighter.

“What a greatsymbolicgesture!” River said loudly.

Dottie seemed a little piqued that they’d stolen her, well, fire, but she recovered quickly enough, hoisting the makeshift torch into the air. Dee gave me a little push, like she expected me to leave her and go over there by myself, but I pulled her with me.

I took it from Dottie, smiling a little at her air of gravity. The thing was, it did feel like an important occasion. A real changing of the guard. And when I looked at my parents, I saw my mom was wiping a tear from her cheek. Nonna actually gave her a handkerchief, and kept one for herself. My dad gave me a slight nod, filling my heart with pride. Matty and Tina were grinning at me. They were all okay with this. They’d made peace with my decision. I looked for the boys in the crowd, and they both saluted me, making my smile spread wider. My gaze ended at Dee, who looked up at me with eyes full of love, and I felt like the luckiest man alive.

“Thank you,” I said to Dottie, meaning it with all my heart. She and the Buchanans had given me a place here. They’d given me a shot. And without them, without Dottie, I never would have met Deeandra. I’d still be floating along, unsure of what I wanted in life but knowing it wasn’t what I had.

“I couldn’t be leaving you in better hands, my friends,” Dottie continued, patting a hand over my heart. “I knew from the moment I met Dylan that he would be the one to take over my role in the brewery. My dear Beau would have agreed with me, and he would have been so very proud of all of the progress that has been made at the brewery. Of the changes that have made it more than it was, and also of all that has been kept the same. Because this has always been, and will always be, a place where love and family are celebrated, as well as the joy that can be found in drinking and eating. So I hope you continue to do plenty of both today.” She smiled at me and then panned her smile over the crowd. “I would also like to announce my new business venture.”

There were several gasps, probably because Dottie was over eighty, not at an age when someone usually started a business. But even though Dottie hadn’t officially announced this to anyone other than her close family yet, and me—it was part of the reason for all the baking we’d been doing—the people who knew her well didn’t look surprised.

“I’ll be opening a new tea shop, Tea of Fortune, next month. Please come by for a lovely visit, and for a cup of wisdom.” She beamed at the assemblage before turning to me again. “Now, I cede the floor to Dylan.”

Not knowing what to do with the would-be torch, I was about to drop it when Deeandra gently took it from me and set it in the hand of the Beau Buchanan statue.

Shockingly, it fit.

Dottie nodded slightly in approval.

“I’m not here to replace Dottie,” I said, “simply because there’s no replacing Dottie.” There were lots of murmurs of approval and nods at that. “But I hope to continue all the good work she’s done, both for this business and for the community. Buchanan Brewery will always be a special place, and I am so grateful to have found a home here.” With Deeandra pressed to my side, the warmth and reassurance of her, the joy and contentment in her beautiful eyes, I found myself adding, “And if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have met Deeandra, the love of my life.” Looking down into her eyes, I said, “The day I caught you crashing a wedding was the very best day of my life.”

“You’re welcome!” River called out.

Deeandra laughed a little, but she was glowing with happiness.

“Someday soon you can crash our wedding and return the favor,” I called out. Her eyes widened, but there wasn’t any fear in them, just joy, the same joy I felt pulsing through me.

“You mean we’re not going to invite him?” she asked in a small voice, laughing. “His auntdidjust give you her job.”

“Fair point.” Then I tipped her slightly, like on the dance floor at the wedding, and I kissed her, gasping a little into her when I saw her shoes. She’d changed them at some point during the party, and I’d only just now noticed beneath her flowy silk skirt.

Her Cinderella shoes.

When I pulled back, she winked at me. “You liked them so much, I got a pair. I may not wear them every day, but I’m very happy to bring them out for special occasions.”

“Every day with you is a special occasion.”

Tina had drifted close enough to eavesdrop, and I heard a distinct comment about “cheese,” which, fair enough, but Deeandra brought it out in me.

Soon we were drawn back into the party, but I felt the warmth of Deeandra by my side, and the knowledge—like sitting by a warm hearth—that we would be together through everything. It was too soon to ask her to marry me, living in sin or not, but Iwouldask her, and soon. I could see a new future splayed out before me, and it was even more glorious than the one that I’d thought I wanted. Because it was with her.

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