Jessica made a full recovery. Spring came and the owner of Bonnie’s retired. Jessica jumped at the opportunity and took over the diner. Although she still wasn’t keen on the idea of opening her own gallery, Jessica proudly displayed her artwork on the walls at Bonnie’s, even selling a few to passing tourists. Now that she was busy running the restaurant, she promptly hired another waitress to help in the dining room.
Mark and Jeremy walked into the diner just as Jessica was cleaning up after the morning rush. Mark put his finger to his mouth, as if to keep Jeremy quiet and snuck up behind Jessica. He wrapped his arms around her, pinning her arms to her sides and buried his face in her neck.
“Hey!” Jessica laughed.
“Are you ready?” Mark asked.
“Just about.” Jessica turned to the new waitress standing at the counter. “Are you going to be okay while I’m gone?”
“I’ll be fine,” the waitress reassured Jessica.
Jeremy approached Jessica, propping himself against the counter casually. Then, he leaned in to whisper in Jessica’s ear.
“Who’s that?” Jeremy spoke in a low voice.
“Her name is Hope. I just hired her,” Jessica said, wiping her hands on a towel.
Mark watched as Jeremy stared at the new waitress behind the counter and she smiled back. Mark walked up to Jeremy and nudged him.
“See, Jeremy? There’s hope for you after all.” Mark shot him a sarcastic grin.
“Ha ha. You’re so funny, Mark.” Jeremy looked sideways at him.
Mark laughed.
“Let’s go, shall we?” Jessica rolled her eyes.
Mark drove Jessica’s truck to the docks. She seemed to fidget with excitement in the passenger seat.
“I can’t wait to see it, Mark!”
Although he was under his father’s wing, Mark was able to save up enough money to buy his own boat. Now, Captain Jim had a fleet and Mark would navigate the new ship through the waters of Silk Cove. Finally, they arrived at the dock and Mark pointed out the shiny new vessel floating right next to Meredith. Mark’s father and Jeremy were already standing on the deck, waving to the both of them.
“There she is.” Mark squeezed Jessica’s hand.
“She’s beautiful. Congratulations, Mark.” Jessica looked up at him.
“You haven’t even seen the best part yet,” he said.
“No?” she asked.
“Go ahead, guys!” Mark called to the men.
His father and Jeremy walked to the back of the boat and released a tarp that was covering the stern. The name Jessica was scrawled across the back of the boat in black calligraphy. Jessica’s eyes widened.
“What do you think?” Mark smiled.
Jessica was speechless. She draped her arms around Mark’s waist and smiled.
“Come on.” Mark grabbed Jessica by the hand and led her to the boat and they climbed aboard.
Mark watched Jessica wander around the boat. She seemed to take in every corner. He snuck around to the port side of the boat, lowered himself to one knee and waited for her there. As Jessica rounded to the side of the boat, she seemed confused as to why Mark was kneeling on the deck. Then he reached into his pocket and retrieved a small box. She gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.
“Jessica,” Mark began. “There is not a day that goes by that I’m not thankful that fate led me back to this town to rediscover you. Will you marry me?”
Tears of joy streamed down Jessica’s face as she feverishly nodded her head.
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes!”
He placed the diamond ring on her finger and kissed her hand.
“She said yes, boys!” Mark jumped to his feet and wrapped his arms around Jessica.
“She said yes!” His father brought his hands to his mouth and called out to the docks.
Cheers seemed to come from every fisherman on every corner of the dock. His father started the engine of the boat. After a routine check of the vessel, Jeremy gave a signal to Mark’s father and the boat slowly pulled away from the dock. Mark held Jessica in his arms as they set sail into the calm waters of Silk Cove.
The End
Publisher’s Note
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About Danielle E. Gauwain
“Entertaining, highly imaginative and utterly arousing.” These are just some of the words that have been used to describe Danielle E. Gauwain's writing. Inspired by music, magic, and matters of the heart, Danielle is a multi-published author of paranormal and erotic romance. She was born and raised in Albany, New York. She now resides in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
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