Page 54 of Only Ever You
We broke apart, and Parker grinned as he released one of my hands and swung his arm toward the table of food by the wall. “Go for it. You don’t have to wait for us.”
Beck needed no further invitation and promptly walked over and started serving himself, while Maisie caught my eyes and rolled hers. “He’s basically a puppy sometimes.”
Hudson stopped beside Parker and pulled him into a backslapping hug while more of our friends surrounded us. This had been a hastily arranged wedding. Janet served as our justice of the peace. We had the ceremony outside the new winery witha stunning backdrop view. We’d said our vows on this cold, early winter afternoon.
Tish stopped beside me to give me a quick hug. When she stepped back, her smile was warm. “I’m so happy for you.” Someone called her name. “I’ll find you again. I’m going to check to make sure we’re on schedule with the food for your reception.” She managed the admin part of Fireweed Industries here in Willow Brook.
“Tish, you don’t work here. You work at the office,” I protested. She shrugged. “I know, but I kind of manage all of the local stuff here. It’s your wedding; you’re my friend, and I want everything to be perfect.” She waved as she hurried off.
My gaze drifted around the room, my eyes landing on my grandmother, who was talking with Janet. Parker was in conversation with Hudson and a cluster of firefighters, so I squeezed his hand before I crossed the room to check in with my grandmother and Janet.
“Thank you, Janet,” I said when I stopped in front of her.
“For what?” Her eyes twinkled with her smile.
“Marrying us, setting me up with the donuts and lining things out for me over the next few years for when I take over the café. All of it,” I said with feeling. Tears sprung to my eyes as I looked at her.
Janet pulled me into a hug, her embrace warm and comforting. When she stepped back, I added, “Everything feels right, and I’m so grateful to you.” I looked down at my grandmother, who was sitting in a chair. “Thank you, Gram. For everything.”
She curled an arm around my waist and squeezed. “No need to thank me. This is the way it was supposed to work out.”
My parents were here, and I was grateful they were. Something I hadn’t been sure I’d have felt at one point. We could never erase those years of content creation, but they’d been trueto their word and hadn’t once tried to persuade me to take part in a video after that one afternoon. They were both busy with work, and it looked like it was going to work out for them to stay here. They were still living in their RV, but my dad was planning to build something for them on the back of Gram’s property.
My gaze arced about the space, and I took a slow breath as that now-familiar sense of giddy joy rose inside when I saw Parker approaching me with a plate from the table.
“What is it?” he asked when he stopped in front of me.
“We did it.” Tears wicked up from my heart.
“Are you about to cry?” His eyes widened with worry as he set the plate on a table beside us.
“Happy tears, I promise.”
He slipped his arms around my waist. For that moment, it felt like we were all alone in the world, even though we were surrounded by friends and family. “I love you, Luna. I’m really glad you jumped into the “what-if” with me.”
I smiled up at him. “That was kind of an easy question.”
After a lingering kiss, we enjoyed celebrating our commitment with our friends and family. That night, when we got home, we took Fuzzy for his evening walk. Everything felt just right. We went to our favorite viewing spot on the trail nearby.
Parker looked down at me. “It was only ever you, Luna.”
EPILOGUE
Kincaid Greene
“Hey, man.” Hudson clapped me on the shoulder as he stopped beside me. “Want a beer? It’s open bar,” he added with a brow waggle.
A chuckle rustled in my throat. “Crazy, really.”
“It’s not like Fireweed Industries doesn’t have money to waste,” he pointed out. “So far, they only had a soft launch for this place. This is the official opening,” he pointed out.
“I even heard of Fireweed Winery & Brewery in Minnesota. It’s a national name,” I replied.
“It’s the biggest name in Alaska when it comes to any kind of corporation. They were ahead of the curve when it came to the whole craft beers and wine thing. Anyway, how are you liking it here so far?” he asked.
I paused before nodding. “Love it. I’m used to long winters, so I’m not worried about that. It’s damn pretty country too.”
Just then, Parker Reeves approached.
