Page 81 of One Golden Ring
Bronson and the crew from the lodge were there, as were so many new faces who are friends now—old friends of Derek’s from childhood, and people we see everywhere we go, from the library staff to the volunteers at the Lenni Lenape Museum and everyone in between.
As a special surprise for me, my sister and brother-in-law were there, along with Johnny and George, and I’ve never cried harder than when my toddler nephews ran to me and hugged me hard.
Mandy pulled me aside to let me know that Derek told her he would fly us to each other any time we want. They’re already planning to spend next Christmas on the mountain with us.
Maddie, Jake, and Dylan Stone were at the center too. I hope we’ll see them again today. Baby Seraphina arrived on Valentine’s Day, and she’s the sweetest little thing with her dimples and her daddy’s eyes. Everyone adores her, but no one loves her more than her big brother, Dylan. I know their fun sibling adventures will begin as soon as she’s big enough to follow him around.
After the wedding, Derek surprised our whole family with a little box that held a key on a red ribbon.
It was the key to the front door of our new house. Derek had rented it for a month with an option to buy, and he told us all that if we liked it, he would make it our permanent home. And now it is, and it’s just perfect.
When Michael realized that he was included in that offer, he had tears in his eyes.
It’s one of the chalets on the mountain, and though it’s not the biggest or the fanciest, it’s the nicest place I’ve ever lived.
It’s also thebestbecause it’s the one just above the property owned by the lodge, which means that Michael can walk down and spend his mornings sipping coffee by the fireplace in the lounge and connecting with all his old friends. He’s even taken it upon himself to help train the new doorman.
The surgery was a resounding success, and we hope we’ll have many more years to spend with him, thanks to Dr. Nasar’s skilled work.
But Michael decided to retire anyway, so that he could have more time with his granddaughter. He has certainly earned that privilege, and I’ve never seen Derek happier than when his grandfather shared the news.
But the most shocking news is that he’s not the only one retiring.
Derek decided to step back from the business so that he could homeschool J.B. while he prepares for his next act—opening a science academy for high school students right here on Angel Mountain.
It turns out that all those things on J.B.’s list weren’t ever intended to be used to look for a school for her to transfer into. They were the building blocks for a brand-new high school that Derek is building and funding himself.
“It’s not going to take all our assets,” he told mequietly, the night he decided to let me in on his dream. “But we’ll definitely take a big hit.”
“Is it what you want?” I asked him, still not used to the idea of all that money being calledour assets.
He nodded and the look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know.
“I can work to support us,” I told him. “As long as we don’t mind living simply. And I still have the big ring. We could sell it.”
I had been wondering what to do with it for a while and thinking that I might end up donating it or maybe passing it along to my sister to use for a college fund for the twins.
“Oh, Darcy,” he said, chuckling. “Things won’t get to that point. We’ll still have enough to live better than most people, and you’ll never need to work.”
I knew I should be relieved, but something in me wilted a little at the thought. Our time on Angel Mountain this year so far had been both restful and exhilarating at the same time as we finally started to get used to our new family unit and home.
But I was starting to get the itch to use my other skills again. I’ve never been the type to sit around for long.
“I love working,” I heard myself admit quietly.
“I know you do,” he told me, taking my chin in his hand. “And it’s nothing to be ashamed of. People were built to work. And it’s up to you where you do it. You could volunteer for the Mountain Angels Fund, or pick up a job with a local business, or even keep working remotely for the company in Manhattan if you want. I’m sure my successor could use the help.”
I nodded, thinking it over.
“Or…” he said.
“Or?”
“Or you could run the business side of the school for me,” he said softly. “And then I could focus on teaching.”
“What’s the business side?” I heard myself ask.
“Recruiting and managing staff,” he said. “And maybe doing some fundraising, PR, community outreach, and whatever else inspires you.”
