Epilogue
Summer
Kincaid’s Pub was definitely pushing max capacity. It was a private event, but when the invitation was open to firefighters and the event was the grand reopening of a firefighters’ bar, everybody showed up.
Wren moved easily through the crowd, a frosted mug of beer in each hand. People spoke to her as she passed and she responded, but kept moving. She had drinks to deliver.
As usual the guys from Engine 59 and Ladder 37 were holding court in the pool table alcove. She didn’t know all of them because there were different crews for different days, but she knew most of them.
The mugs were for Chris and Rick, who were engaged in a fairly heated game of pool. She set them down and, when she saw Grant sitting in the corner with Aidan and Scott, decided to take a short break.
He grinned when he saw her and patted his knee. There were no free chairs, so she sat sideways on his lap and waited for him to finish his conversation.
Though she’d been helping with the preparations for tonight for a while, this was her first official shift at the bar. She’d be part-time, learning the ropes and filling in as necessary as Lydia’s baby bump grew. Her primary job would still be at the bookstore.
When a very tearful Mrs. Belostotsky had told her they’d decided to sell the market and retire to someplace warmer, Wren had hugged her and wished them well. On her way home, she stopped at the bookstore because it was comforting to browse, and Rhonda had offered her her old job back. The women at the salon had graciously accepted her notice and had pizza delivered on her last day for a lunch break party.
As Grant’s arm snaked around her hips, holding her close, Wren smiled. Life was so very good.
“This story’s never going to end,” he murmured. “Let’s go outside and get some fresh air.”
“Just for a few minutes,” she said, standing. “I’m supposed to be working.”
“You get a break.”
She laughed. “Yeah, when I’ve been here longer than an hour.”
But he took her hand and led her through the crowd to the door. It had been a hot and humid day and even though the sun had gone down, the city was steamy.
“Can you believe Tommy won’t give me a family discount?” he asked as they walked hand in hand down the sidewalk to a small bench.
“I can’t believe you asked him.”
“Hey, the only thing better than a cold beer is a cheap cold beer.”
She laughed. “I don’t think he even gives Scotty and Aidan a discount, and they’re actually his family.”
Putting his arm around her shoulders, he shifted his body sideways so he was looking at her. “You look beautiful tonight. And happy.”
She smiled. “It’s funny you should say that. When I was sitting on your lap, I was thinking about how happy I am right now. I have everything. You. All these friends. The bookstore. I think I’m going to love working here. And I’m going to say you twice because you are definitely the best part.”
He caught his lip between his teeth, looking at her so thoughtfully that she got a little nervous about what he might be thinking. “I love you. Completely.”
She hadn’t been expecting that. “I love you, too.”
He sat up straight and scrubbed his palms over this denim-clad thighs a couple of times, and then he reached into his pocket. “I’ve been waiting, trying to figure out a perfect time or place to give you this.”
It was a small velvet box and Wren’s breath caught in her throat. Then he opened it and she exhaled in a long, shaky sigh. It was an emerald-cut diamond, with two smaller, square diamonds on either side. It was simple and yet stunning at the same time and she pressed her hand to her chest.
“It seems like proposals are supposed to be an event,” he continued. “But sitting here with you and you telling me how happy you are and that I’m the best part of it is... Well, this is the happiest moment of my life, so it seems like the right time to ask you to be my wife.”
She nodded, trying to talk, but just making a squeaky sound.
“I love you, Wren. Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” The word practically burst out of her mouth.
He slid the ring over her finger and it fit perfectly. She admired it, watching it sparkle in the lights around them. Then she threw her arms around his neck and put everything she felt into kissing him until neither of them could breathe.
