by Dana Marton
“I’ve been promised a sponge bath.”
Epilogue
Kate
“You should have one of those fancy bridal umbrellas,” Murph whispered after he kissed Kate in front of Pastor Garvey and all the dearly beloved who had gathered for their big day. “In case there’s an unfortunate accident with the love doves.”
“I haven’t even worried about that until now,” Kate whispered back. “Thanks.”
Yet despite the fact that she’d been a ball of nerves all day, she did have a smile on her face as they turned around to the cheers of their family and friends.
Then the doves were released, a flutter of white wings that filled the sky. They circled above for a moment, the sunshine filtering through their feathers like some special effect in a movie or angels gathering to bless the ceremony. Until the birds took off for home, a local farm, as they were trained to do—a gift from Annie Murray, Hope Hill’s ecotherapist who ran a growing animal sanctuary on the side.
Since nearly everyone in Broslin wanted to attend the fastest-arranged wedding in history, they held the event outside Broslin Chapel, aided by an unseasonably warm November day and outdoor heaters. The only person invited who hadn’t come was Agent Cirelli—up to her eyebrows in work. The FBI had finally cracked Asael’s phone and had his client list. Cirelli had sent her best wishes with a generous gift.
“I love you, Mrs. Dolan,” Murph whispered into Kate’s ear as they walked to the receiving line that had formed.
Every eye was on them. Except Kennan Finnegan’s. Harper’s brother, a US Marine in full dress uniform, only had eyes for the maid of honor. For once, Emma noticed the interest and seemed to return it.
That kept Kate smiling.
“My cheeks are going to hurt by morning,” she told Murph under her breath.
Heat flared in his eyes.
She choked on shocked laughter. “Oh my God, you’re such a pervert.”
“I really think the word is hopeful,” he responded with exaggerated innocence.
“We’re practically in church. I’m wearing white!”
He wiggled an eyebrow. “But what are you wearing underneath?”
She couldn’t respond because there were hands to shake and hugs and congratulations to accept. All she managed to do was whisper, “I’m going to get you back later.”
Murph pressed a hand to his heart as he gazed at her. “I feel so married right now.”
And that, of course, set her off laughing again, her nerves settling a little.
Her parents came first, and the hugs lasted forever.
Then Doug, Murph’s brother, who also had his eye on Emma, though Kate doubted he was going to have any luck there.
Then Linda Gonzales and Tony Mauro stepped up. Together. As in together. A bewildering development.
Mr. Mauro was fully recovered, telling everyone who listened that Captain Bing had caught the idiot driver of the hit-and-run that morning. That crime, at least, couldn’t be laid at Asael’s feet.
Ashley Price and Jack Sullivan wished Kate and Murph happiness next.
“Thank you for your very generous gift, again,” Kate told Ashley, who was becoming a known name on the global art stage. She and Jack had delivered one of her paintings the night before because it was too large to drag it to the reception.
The painting showed Kate’s house, Murph and Kate walking through the front door together, holding hands. A single, breathtaking rose bloomed in her front yard in the painting’s foreground. The title of the piece was a quote from Anaïs Nin. “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
The art could probably pay for the baby’s college education someday, but Kate would never ever sell it.
“Honestly, it’s too much,” she told Ashley. “But I love it, and I’m not going to give it back. You’d have to kill me first.”
Ashley smiled, holding her own baby, while Jack herded their three older children. “It’s yours. It’s you. It was inspired by you. I could never sell it to someone.”
They hugged again, then Allie Bianchi was next.
“Where is Harper?” Kate asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t care.” Allie huffed. “You know what he told me while you were exchanging wows? At our wedding, he wants me to wear chaps.”
“To be fair, your ass looks great in chaps.” Kate grinned.
Allie rolled her eyes. “That’s what he said.”
Then Captain Bing came with Sophie. Since Murph’s parents were gone, he’d stood in for father of the groom, although he wasn’t that much older than Murph. It was the sentiment that counted.
Then Chase and Luanne and the kids. And the girls, in middle school, immediately announced that they loved Kate’s dress and wanted to get married as soon as possible. Chase’s hair was turning gray as he stood there.
Then Hunter and Gabi.
“Sorry,” Gabi said as she hugged Kate. “Just got the call that there are four siblings at CPS in West Chester that need a family by tonight. We accepted them, so we want to drive over right now. I don’t want them to be sitting there and wondering what will happen to them.”
Kate hugged Gabi that much harder. “You’re welcome to bring them to the reception.”
“Thank you. But I think they need to settle in, just get to know us first, until they feel comfortable.”
She was right, of course. Kate could still remember the despair and fear, the sheer overwhelmingness of each transfer. “When they’re ready, we’d love to have you over for dinner. I could talk to them about my time in the system.”
“I would love that. Thank you. I was actually going to ask.”
Then Joe Kessler came to congratulate, with his wife, Wendy, and their kids. And it was a good thing Murph had been looking at Kate all day like she was Venus reborn, because one could develop a serious inferiority complex when standing next to a professional model.
“You look ravishing,” Wendy said, as if she could read Kate’s thought.
“Thank you for doing my makeup.”
Then Maria moved up the line. With her date. Who could have been…double-take…Jason Momoa’s twin.
“He’s a psychologist?” Kate asked her friend under her breath, and must have sounded stunned, because Maria laughed.
“Were you expecting an academic with wire-rim glasses?”
Kate had no idea what she’d expected. She just tried hard not to stare.
She was hugged and kissed a hundred times more as the line progressed. Then another hundred.
She was surrounded by friends. These were her people. This was her town. Roots. She had something in Broslin that she’d never had any place else.
For once, life was ridiculously, unexpectedly perfect. Even at work.
People credited the vets at Hope Hill with saving the town at the Mushroom Festival. Donations were pouring in. Hope Hill was going to get its zip-line course and so much more. Maybe even their first expansion, a whole new wing.
Too good to be true. Too good to last. Definitely don’t deserve this. That exhausting voice that haunted survivors of childhood trauma had been whispering all day. But as Kate received warm hug after warm hug, she finally told the damn voice to stuff it.
Emma stopped by. “I love seeing you this happy.”
“Thank you, sis. Hey, has anyone introduced you to Harper’s brother yet? His name is Kennan.”
Time passed in a blur. Kate only snapped out of the rose-colored fantasy at the reception when the bride and groom’s first dance was announced and Murph led her out onto the dance floor in the middle.
“Why did I agree to this?” She panicked. “I can’t do this.”
Murph remained his own unflappable self. “You can.”
“Oh God,” she said as she looked over his shoulder. “Only like a hundred people are recording us on their cell phones.”
Her muscles locked up. She wasn’t like Allie, who could go on stage in fro
nt of an audience and reenact Calamity Jane for two hours. Kate wasn’t a performer.
“Relax,” Murph whispered into her ear. “Dance like nobody’s watching.”
“I can’t.”
He pulled her closer. Flush against him. Ran a hand down her back. Way down. And said in a rumbly voice, “Think of something else.”
Oh. Well. She could pretty much guess what he was thinking about.
She cleared her throat. “How does that thing keep growing?”
And he laughed so hard, he nearly tripped over his own foot as they began to dance.
* * *
Dear Reader: We made it! The Broslin Creek Series is finished. It really is a bittersweet moment for me. If you’re looking for your next read, please click for my book list HERE. And if you do go online, would you pretty please leave DEATHTOLL a quick review?
Thank you so much for reading my stories. And for all the wonderful reviews. And for getting in touch via email or on FB. I appreciate your support and friendship beyond words.
Let’s hope we meet again soon in another story.
Until then, I wish you all the best,
Dana Marton
Grateful Author