Page 31 of Ogre on Patrol (Monsters, PI #5)

Chapter 31

Epilogue

ELLIE

S atisfaction surged through me as I looked over the newly rebuilt greenhouse. Sunlight filtered through the freshly cleaned glass, dappling the soil with bright freckles of light. I took a step back, brushing stray strands of hair out of my face with my wrist, and surveyed the work we’d done. It already looked better than before, stronger, brighter, like the damage Valerie had caused couldn’t touch it anymore.

Thain pushed the wheelbarrow past me, coming to a stop to stroke the small of my back. My heart fluttered despite the sweaty exhaustion sticking to my skin.

“It looks great, doesn't it?” We'd built it together, and there was nothing better than that. I brushed the diamond ring now securely on my finger, a piece of my past that had found its way back to me.

Over the last several weeks, we’d worked side by side to build it. When I didn't have customers, I'd spent time planting new seeds in soil that felt richer than ever. Every night, my muscles ached in the best way possible. We'd drop into bed together, make love, then get up and do it all over again. Each morning, Thain would sit across from me at my little kitchen table with a coffee cup in hand and that crooked smile that never failed to make everything feel like it was going to be okay.

He'd moved in with me.

We'd bought an ogre-sized bed.

And he'd put his own place up for sale.

He still worked at Monsters, PI, but he had cut back to part-time so he could work with me.

Through the magical grapevine, I heard that Ophelia had packed up and left town. So much for her and Elias. I didn’t know if she was running from the mess she'd made of me and Thain's lives or if she wanted a new start. Honestly, I didn’t care. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hope, deep down, that one day she’d figure out how to be the friend I thought she was all this time. Would I welcome her with open arms? That would be a challenge.

But if she wanted to talk, I'd listen.

As we worked on the greenhouse, we’d talked about everything. About the years we’d lost, the things left unsaid, and what we wanted from now on. And while the ring had returned to my finger, it wasn’t only a promise to pick up where we’d left off; it was a commitment to grow something new.

Neighbors stopped by, their arms loaded with baked goods or warm smiles, and customers flooded my inbox with orders and kind words after hearing about what Valerie had done. Even the local paper ran a retraction, printing an apology for amplifying the lies. My business wasn’t just recovering, it was thriving. And with Thain at my side, I was too.

On one of those busy mornings, Nana Bea showed up unannounced, her steps brisk as she strode toward me with that commanding aura she wore like a second skin. “This place is starting to look amazing again.”

“It’s getting there.” I'd wiped my hands on my jeans and shot her a grin.

She squinted at the sunlight reflecting off the greenhouse glass and clicked her tongue. “You and Thain have outdone yourselves.”

When she hugged me, I leaned into it, catching a whiff of her signature lavender and something spicy—probably a charm she’d been working on before showing up to visit.

“As for Valerie,” she said, “she's been sentenced and fined. We've muted her magic. No more rune-casting, no more sabotage. We moved her across the country and the council there will keep a close eye on her. She's been warded and is not allowed to leave her new area.”

She'd repented, but there was no forgiving what she'd done.

Thain strode around the side of the greenhouse, wiping his hands on a rag and looking a little hesitant. Nana Bea’s eyes flicked to him, narrowing slightly before softening in a way that almost made me do a double take.

Leaving me, she walked up to him and curled her finger for him to lean forward. When he did, she grabbed him by both shoulders and pulled him into a brief yet decisive Nana Bea hug. Thain stood frozen, his arms half-raised as if he was scared to move. I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing aloud.

She patted his cheek and took a step back. “You’ve grown into a decent man, Thain. Keep growing, and take good care of my girl.”

He blinked, his expression a mix of stunned and sheepish. “I will. Always.”

Crouton barked and scampered over to sit beside her. She scooped him up, gave him a kiss on the top of the head, before setting him back on the ground.

With that, she vanished in a swirl of silver light, leaving a thin trail of lavender-scented magic behind.

Thain let out a long breath. “Your grandmother terrifies me.”

“Good,” I said, leaning into his side. “It keeps you on your best behavior.”

He scooped me up in his arms, then spun me around until I was dizzy and giggling.

And then he kissed me.