Page 148 of The Havenport Collection

Epilogue

Violet

I had never seen a more beautiful wedding.

Cece looked gorgeous in her long-sleeved lace gown, and Liam looked incredible in his suit and plaid shirt.

The weather held nicely, giving us one of those New England fall days that poems were written about—crisp and cool with bright sunshine that faded into a glorious sunset.

The vibe was relaxed, and people were enjoying the food trucks, spilling out into the patio and the orchard.

The barn and patio area had been renovated into beautiful spaces.

It was a rustic, romantic wonderland. Large floral arrangements interspersed with candles hung from the rafters above each table.

The centerpieces featured tree branches, ivy, and mason jars, artfully arranged.

Frankie even had some of the old farm equipment cleaned up and hung on the walls to add to the rustic atmosphere.

I still couldn’t believe how stunning the barn was.

Several people had approached me about upcoming events, and Frankie said our updated website had several wedding inquiries for next summer.

Cece and I had split the cost of the photography team, who were getting shots we could use on our website and in our promotional materials.

The wedding business would help us with our back taxes and legal fees.

The fallout with Nick had been swift. The police and DA’s office had gotten involved.

I didn’t know if we would ever recover the money he’d stolen, but at least I knew he wasn’t going to cheat anyone else.

And with Callum’s help, we were slowly putting all the pieces together.

Things were looking really good, and I was growing into my role more and more each day.

Everyone looked so happy and relaxed. It had been a perfect wedding, with no stuffy pomp and circumstance but lots of laid-back fun with great food and music.

Callum looked so handsome in his suit. He danced with all the ladies in town, giving each a spin around the dance floor.

Every time he caught my eye, I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt.

I couldn’t believe he was mine. I gazed across the dance floor where Callum was dancing with his mother.

He was beaming, and she was laughing. It made my heart swell.

I had the great pleasure of dancing with the Captain, who looked happier than ever.

“I am so glad you guys patched things up,” he said, twirling me around.

“And I have to say you did a damn good job with this wedding. I respected the hell out of your dad, but he would never have been able to pull this off. I bet he’s real proud of you. ”

His comment hit me square in the heart. Because that was what I was trying to do.

Make my dad proud. He left me this farm because he believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

He knew that I could do it, and I could provide a great life for my kids.

And I was finally starting to see it. I had to do things my way, but I could get them done.

Before I could waste too much time basking in my achievement, I felt hands tugging on my skirt.

“Mom, can I have another taco, please?” The boys looked adorable all dressed up for the wedding.

Sam had even agreed to a haircut for the occasion.

Seeing them running around with all the kids and chatting with our neighbors made me so happy.

Havenport had really embraced my little family, and I would be forever grateful.

I walked the boys over to one of the food trucks Liam and Cece had hired for the day. We created a patio area outside the barn where they could pull up, complete with wooden picnic tables and string lights. I was already getting ideas for other events we could host in this space.

The proprietress of the taco truck was adorable—dark hair, eyebrow ring, and a few tattoos. I noticed Trent hanging around for most of the reception, so clearly I wasn’t the only one who thought she was cute. “You make the best tacos ever!” Sam said.

She smiled at him. “I’ll make yours extra delicious.”

“My mom makes okay tacos,” Henry said, “but these are the best. Can you teach her your recipe?”

“Henry,” I chided. I turned to her. “Sorry about that. These are delicious though. You are so talented.”

She smiled warmly. “Thank you. I am happy to give cooking lessons anytime!”

I settled the boys at a table and looked around.

Everyone was dancing, and I was itching to get out there with Callum.

He looked so handsome in his navy suit, and I expected he would also look quite delicious out of it.

He caught my eye across the room and winked.

Before I knew it he was at my elbow, sweeping me onto the dance floor.

“I was just getting the boys some more tacos.”

“They look pretty satisfied at the moment. Boys, can I steal your mom for a dance?”

Both boys nodded with their mouths full, totally focused on their food.

Callum twirled me around effortlessly—he really was such a natural dancer—and then pulled me in for a chaste kiss. “This is an incredible achievement.”

I blushed. “Liam and Cece pulled off the short notice wedding, not me.”

“Don’t do that. You worked your ass off to make this happen. Look at this place.” He gestured around the barn. “This is unbelievable. People are going to be beating your door down to get married here. And you did that.”

I rested my head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat and letting him guide me around the dance floor. I was happy. Exhausted, but happy.

The floor was full of people dancing. Cece and Liam were lost in their own love bubble, gently swaying in the middle of the floor. Nearby, I saw Emily dancing with her husband, Derek, and Mrs. Leary with Chief Wilson, who had been my high school softball coach.

Maggie looked striking in her navy bridesmaid dress, and the tall man dancing with her looked completely smitten. I nudged Cal. “Who is that man dancing with Maggie?”

“That’s Josh, her husband. He’s a friend of mine, good guy.”

Huh. That was interesting. Maybe the couples therapy she mentioned was working. Good for them.

I tried to change the subject. “Your parents are adorable.” The Captain and Mrs. Quinn were owning the dance floor together.

“They are pretty great. Growing up, I didn’t really understand it, their connection and their passion for one another. But now, I admire it and I want that too.” He smiled down at me, and I could feel my cheeks redden again. “With you, Violet. I want all of it with you.”

The party had mostly broken up, and the afterparty was still going strong over by the fire pit.

Rose and Yael had found a bunch of chairs, and some people were sitting on hay bales covered with blankets.

It had gotten chilly, but no one seemed to mind.

The beer was flowing, and love was in the air.

Cece and Liam had long since disappeared, but the rest of the coven was around, celebrating and enjoying the beautiful night.

“You ready to turn in, beautiful?” he asked, draping his suit jacket around my shoulders. I nodded. I was exhausted and my feet were killing me.

Cal and I walked across to the barn to close up and turn off the rest of the lights. Things were in disarray but would have to wait until tomorrow. I wanted to get into bed and wrap myself around this sexy hunk of a man. I was high on a potent combination of lust and delicious tacos.

We walked along the outside of the barn, stopping every few feet to kiss.

I wanted to pinch myself. Not only had I pulled this wedding off—with the help and support of a team of amazing people—but I had managed to land an amazing guy in the process.

When I came back to the farm a year ago, I never imagined I’d be in this position today.

“Did you hear that?” he asked, looking around the barn.

I heard laughter. I wondered who was still here. It was past midnight, and all the remaining stragglers were over by the fire pit on the other side of the property.

“It’s coming from the orchard.” I hoped none of the teenagers had gone out there to drink. It was a perfect spot, and I would know because Rose and I took advantage of it growing up, but I hated having to be the mean mom who kicked everyone out and called their parents.

I heard more giggles as we made our way between the trees. By this time of year they were mostly picked bare. Our apple picking business continued to grow, thanks to Cece’s marketing expertise.

I flipped on the flashlight function on my phone as we walked through the rows of apple trees.

I was not prepared for what I saw when we rounded the corner toward the peach grove.

“Nora?” Her head whipped around, looking guilty.

She was straddling Lucas Kim on the stone bench.

Her dress was up around her waist, and her lipstick was smeared all over his mouth.

There was an empty bottle of champagne on the bench beside them.

She immediately jumped back, almost tripping in her heels.

“Hey, guys.” Nora was trying to rearrange her hair, which was uncharacteristically messy at the moment. She straightened up her spine and smiled. “Oh, wow, I lost track of time. I need to get home.”

Lucas Kim, Havenport’s resident tech billionaire, sat there looking confused. Poor guy, something told me he was not the first guy to be struck dumb by the charms of Nora.

She dusted off her skirt and picked up the empty bottle off the bench. “Are you guys walking back toward the barn?” she trilled nervously. “I need to find Emily and Derek—they are my ride.”

I nodded. “Great,” she said, taking my arm. “Let’s go.”

“I can drive you home,” Luke said, finally developing the power of speech. “I’ll call my driver.”

“No need,” she replied, turning her back to him and marching me in the direction of the fire pit.

Lucas looked dejected but dusted himself off and made small talk with Cal as we walked.

I tried to catch Nora’s eye, but she was focused firmly on the path ahead, marching along at a steady pace.

If I knew Nora, she did not want me to mention this, but there HAD to be a story here.

She and Luke Kim hated each other. How the hell did they end up dry humping like teenagers in my orchard at midnight?

But it would have to wait for Monday breakfast. My top priority at the moment was climbing into bed with my man.

It was after one when Cal and I finally made it back to the farmhouse.

My mom and the boys had long since gone to bed.

I was beyond tired but still riding the high of this incredibly successful day.

Not only did we just launch a new venture for the farm, but I got to spend a beautiful day celebrating with my family, friends, and the entire Havenport community.

It felt good to have the entire town here at my farm, celebrating love and family.

For the first time since coming back more than a year ago, I truly felt at home.

Cal stared at me, unfastening his cuff links as he watched me shimmy out of my dress. His eyes shone brightly in the moonlight, and I could see the hunger in his face.

I unhooked my bra and let it slip to the floor, standing there in only my panties. His jaw hitched, and I could tell he was fighting the urge to ravage me.

We didn’t make a habit of sleepovers. My kids and mother lived in this house, and Callum was nothing if not respectful. But tonight was special. We both knew it. I walked slowly over to where he was standing, unbuttoning his shirt while he dipped his head to taste my neck.

“Violet,” he growled in my ear. I would never get tired of that sound. The love, the lust, and the need in his voice almost sent me over the edge.

As we tumbled onto my bed, our bodies desperate with need, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. For my family, my community, and for this spectacular man who was all mine.