Page 88 of Save a Wish

“That’s fine,” Ashley said. “Logan will be just as off the wall when the sugar high comes for him. I’ll toss them both outside until they become human again.”

Logan let out a monster growl that sent Amelia into a fit of giggles and the rest of us chuckling. “We’ll go to Amelia’s play area and swing on the swings until we reach outer space.”

“Yay! I want to swing to outer space!” Amelia clapped, but the moment the ice cream pie landed in front of her, she got busy shoveling it into her mouth.

“I’m going to jog around the entire property tomorrow in an attempt to undo the damage from Pie Dinner,” Sylvie said. “Who wants to join me?”

Most of us groaned at the thought of jogging while our bellies were full of pie to near busting, but Joshua said, “Count me in.” He then pressed a kiss to Sylvie’s cheek.

I looked around this table packed with Hartleys and their loved ones, adoring how they cared about each other and supported each other and had fun with each other. My own family had never been like this, even before Maeve died, but that was changing a bit now. My cancelled wedding had been a catalyst for so much.

My father had started listening to me a bit more. Really listening and not dismissing my ideas. He was tuning into my mother more too, mainly because she was finally speaking up about matters that were important to her. It had been lovely to see her come to life.

Cian had softened as well. Finally admitting out loud that Maeve had been his true love had healed something inside him. He was still heartbroken, but I had the sense he was on the road to recovery. My father had given him an important position in his council, and though it wasn’t as much power as being married to me, the opportunity was still amazing and one that brought about the alliance Cian’s father and mine had been working towards. I didn’t worry anymore that Cian plus power would equal dismay for the people of Verdalach.

Instead, I had hope. Hope that all these changes would bring about better lives for all Verdalachians.

I’d agreed to travel back now and then to take part in government affairs. My parents hadn’t fought me when I’d announced that I would be making Vermont my permanent home so I could be with Beckett.

“You two are a wonderful match,” my mother had said. “America might be on to something with their policy of letting people choose their mates.” She’d taken my hands in hers. “And you’ve chosen wisely. I can see how much Beckett loves you and how much you love him, and that’s how it should be.”

“Do you love my father?” I’d asked her.

“I didn’t,” she’d begun, but a small smile grew in intensity on her face as she looked at my father who had been laughing with a group of dignitaries. “But I think I can love this version of him.”

I couldn’t wait to see how that developed when I visited Verdalach again.

Jimmy slid his chair back and slowly stood. He smoothed his hands down the front of his Prince Charming costume and cleared his throat.

“Excuse me,” he said. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”

I’d never seen this family quiet so quickly. Of course, most of them knew what was about to happen.

Except for one.

“Can I get you more pie, Jimmy?” Mrs. Hartley asked. “More coffee?”

Jimmy shook his head. “No. I only have room for one more thing and it’s not pie or coffee.”

“You want a sandwich or something?” Mrs. Hartley asked, and we all chuckled.

“Quit trying to feed me, Beth,” Jimmy said with a laugh.

Mrs. Hartley put her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I feed people. So sue me.” She adjusted her tiara before settling her hands back in her lap.

Jimmy reached down, however, and took one of her hands, gently tugging her up to her feet. “You do feed people,” he said. “You feed them, you accept them, you turn them from the town’s rumored serial killer into respectable gentlemen.”

We all snickered at that as Mrs. Hartley wiggled their joined hands.

“You did that all on your own, Jimmy,” she said.

“No,” Jimmy said. “I wouldn’t have had a reason to change without the attention you’ve given me. I was pretty miffed that day my bag of groceries ripped and everything tumbled out onto the supermarket’s parking lot, but when you came to help pick it all up, Beth . . .” He put his free hand to his chest. “You stole my heart. I wanted to do whatever it took to be worthy of you.”

“Oh, Jimmy . . .” Mrs. Hartley put her free hand to her chest, mimicking Jimmy’s position. “You were never not worthy.” She cupped his cheek and brushed a single kiss to his lips.

I glanced around the table, wishing I could subtly take out my phone and record how every single gaze was laser-focused on Jimmy and Mrs. Hartley. How every single gaze was soft and dreamy and under the spell of what was unfolding in that cozy kitchen.

But Beckett had that covered as he swept his phone around the room and ended back on Jimmy and Mrs. Hartley.