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“I can’t really think of a better way to spend the next fifty years. And anyway, we sort of have to. Doug bet me a hundred bucks that we wouldn’t live happily ever after.”

He laughed, and his whole face lit up.

Dr. Alexis Montgomery Grant.

It occurred to me that one day Daniel and I would be remembered with yellowing framed newspaper articles hung on the walls of the VFW like the Grants before us, and the idea made me feel so proud and complete, I couldn’t even articulate it. It was better than stately paintings hung in hospital hallways or articles in Forbes or documentaries on the History Channel—though we’d probably have those too.

We would have the best of both worlds. I could dance the night away with him at an extravagant ball and then let him take me home to care for our town, our people—our family. Because sometimes family isn’t what you’re born into. Sometimes family is found.

And I’d found mine in Wakan.

I’d found mine in him.

I started to tear up again.

“Why are you crying?” he asked gently.

“Because I’m just so happy.” I peered up at him through my wet lashes. “Let’s never leave this place. Let’s just stay here in this moment forever.”

He peered around, bobbing his head. “Well, I’m not saying I’d like to build a summer home here. But the trees are actually quite lovely.”

I laughed so hard, he pulled me closer to him by the waist to put his forehead to mine.

I beamed. “Kiss me, Daniel Grant.”

He looked scandalized. “Right here? In front of everyone?”

“Right here. In front of everyone.”

He stopped turning me, and we stood under the huge crystal chandelier in the middle of the room, the entire gala watching, all eyes on us. He hovered his lips an inch from mine.

“As. You. Wish.”

Epilogue

Daniel

Seven Months Later

Doug nodded at my wife across the VFW. “A hundred bucks if you can get her to give me Monday off.”

I laughed, racking up the billiard balls. “That is between you and your boss.”

“Come on, man. I’ve got a hot date.”

I paused to look at him over my shoulder. “She’s seen the pictures of you and she’s still coming?”

Brian laughed.

Liz looked up from behind the bar and smiled at the sound, and Brian grinned back at her.

Doug worked part-time at the clinic. He got his EMT certificate and was the Royaume-Wakan clinic designated ambulance driver. It was an extremely part-time job that consisted mostly of making sure the rig was stocked with supplies and gas, and then driving someone to the hospital in Rochester, should the situation require it. They had inventory Monday.

Brian nodded at him. “Take her to work. Show her the ambulance. It’ll make you look cool.”

“Alexis won’t let me. And this fucker won’t get me the day off. Man, I wingmanned both of you idiots and this is the thanks I get?”

I looked at my watch. “If by wingmanning you mean you made us both look good in comparison, yes, you wingmanned us.”