Page 102 of Call it Fate

EPILOGUE

Emalee - One month later

“Surprise!”

I stopped in my tracks at the entrance to the living room of The Dogtrot. Not only were my family and friends there, but so were most of the business owners in the downtown area and several members of the town council. I even saw the Crawleys, my guests from early last spring.

“What’s going on?”

Mama came forward as did Mayor Bowen, who seemed to be trying to be the first to reach me. “Oh, honey, it’s so exciting.”

“You won,” the mayor interrupted.

“Won what?” I asked, looking between him and my mom.

Mama gave the mayor a stern look, then stepped in front of him. “The Dogtrot was named the recipient of The Best of the Tennessee Mountains Award for inns and getaways. I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. It’s all because of you.”

“We won?” I reached out to grab her arm.

She and everyone around nodded, calling out their congratulations.

“I got the letter yesterday,” she said, the pride in her voice clear. “You don’t know how hard it was not to tell you right away. Richard wanted to wait until the next council meeting,” she paused and gave him a reproachful look, “but that was too far away.”

“Oh, Mama! Our little bed-and-breakfast…we won! I can’t believe it.”

I whirled around toward Zach. “We won!”

He swept me into his arms and spun me around. “As if there were any doubt. Congratulations.”

“You believed in me the entire time,” I whispered. “Thank you. I’m not sure I could have done it without you.”

“Sure, you could have, but it was a pleasure to watch.” He pressed a kiss to my lips that I would have loved to let linger, but I’d have to wait until later for that.

Mayor Bowen cleared his throat. “Now, to make it official.” He held up a framed certificate and handed it to me.

“Congratulations, Mama.” Iain hugged my waist.

I swept him up into my arms. “Thanks, baby. You were a huge help.”

All of my friends and family took their turn congratulating me before the crowd spread itself out into the dining room where the party feast had been laid out.

Mr. and Mrs. Crawley came forward. “I told you that you had a wonderful little place here.”

“You’re the ones who nominated me, aren’t you?”

“No, but if you remember from your letter, it said there were some secret judges.” Mrs. Crawley winked.

My mouth dropped open. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you have two rooms available this summer. We want to bring our son Charley here. Did I tell you about him?”

I laughed and linked my arm through hers. “Yes, you did, and yes, let’s go book those rooms now. I can’t wait to meet him.”

As the crowd thinned out, Mama pulled me to the little alcove under the stairs. “I have a gift for you.”

I beamed at her. “You shouldn’t have done anything.”

She said nothing, just handed me a large manila envelope. “Open it.”

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