Page 116 of It'll Always Be Her

Epilogue

TheFor Salesign in front of the Gardenia House fluttered in the late November wind sweeping in from the ocean.

Bee dropped the keys into the mail slot and looked up at the shuttered windows and doors. She realized it was the first time in its history that the house had been empty.

“Be patient,” she said gently. “Your heart will come alive again. It just takes letting the right person inside.”

She patted the weathered railing. As she turned to walk back down the steps, Adam’s car turned into the parking lot.

She smiled, shading her eyes from the sun as she watched him approach.

“Bookmobile driver at your service.” He bent to give her a swift kiss. “But only if you agree to come with me to LA for a few days next week. I have a contract to sign.”

Bee pulled away to stare at him. “Really?”

“Really.” His eyes crinkled with warmth and anticipation. “The Explorer Channel executives will release me from theHex or Hoax?contract as soon as I sign on the new dotted line.The Wonder Labwill start filming early next year.”

“Oh, Adam.” Bee threw her arms around him with a laugh. “That’s amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

He hugged her tightly, lifting her off the ground as he pressed his lips against her hair. “I couldn’t have done it without you and a couple of ghosts. I’ve already told the vice president I want to do an episode about paranormal activity.”

Bee smiled. When Adam told her he’d approached the Explorer Channel with an idea for a kids-oriented science show, she knew without a doubt that he’d be perfect for the job.

The ratings-savvy executives and programming specialists had known it too, and after brainstorming and negotiations, they’d created a plan forThe Wonder Lab, a weekly program hosted by Dr. Adam Powers in which he and different groups of kids would conduct experiments, try out homemade inventions, and discuss the science of everything from aerodynamics to Rube Goldberg machines.

The show would film on a soundstage not far from Bliss Cove, and also in LA and different locations throughout the year—zoos, observatories, classrooms, museums, libraries, bakeries—and seek to explore the how and why behind this world and other worlds.

Though the production meant Adam would have to travel often, he would live in Bliss Cove and already planned to arrange his schedule around Bee’s so that she could go with him whenever possible.

“We can catch a flight from LA to Washington next Friday if you’re okay with going directly there.” Adam set her back on her feet and reached out to brush her hair away from her forehead. “Laura’s taking a few days off before the opening of the hospital recovery wing, and she wants to monopolize all your time by showing you around DC before the big gala.”

“Of course.” She patted his chest, her pride and happiness filling her like a balloon. “I can’t wait.”

Though Adam hadn’t made full amends with his parents—Bruce and Helen Powers still resented the fact that he’d turned his back on his former science career—things were moving in the right direction. Martin Thornwall had been charged with five counts of plagiarism, theft, and falsification of research.

He’d been dismissed from his positions and had forty-two of his published papers retracted. Though Adam continued to get calls from former colleagues about job openings and interview requests, he’d turned them down in favor of creating his own science program.

His parents didn’t yet know about the plan, but Bee thought it was about time they saw how extraordinary their son was. The elder Powers’ were planning to attend the opening of the cardiology recovery wing, and after they learned about Adam’s role in the hospital’s funding as well as his new educational venture, they would realize how badly they were missing out by not having him in their lives.

Bee had little doubt that Laura would find a way to help mend the family fences as well.

“Did you leave the keys?” Adam glanced past her at the Gardenia House.

She nodded, turning to look at the house again. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and tugged her back against his chest.

“Hey.” He tightened his arms around her. “You know you don’t have to let the house go.Wedon’t have to.”

Bee stroked her hand over his forearm. For most of her life, she’d wondered what all-encompassing, true love would feel like. Now she knew.

“No.” She let her fingers rest on his wrist, where his pulse beat. He’d told her several times that he would buy the Gardenia House for her, for them. All she had to do was tell him that she wanted it, and he would want it too.

But though she wished the house would have a happy, hope-filled future, Bee knew that she wasn’t meant to be a part of it. She’d already fulfilled her role in the Gardenia House’s history. Now it was someone else’s turn.

“I want you and I to have our own house.” She shifted to face him. “A new start to our future together.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “I can’t wait.”

“Neither can I.”

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