Shoved (Moonlit Lake Matchmaker #4)

Epilogue

TILLIE

My heart was full as I sat back in my corner chair watching the Rhodes family laughing and enjoying the holiday together. Festive Christmas music played in the background. The tree was lit, but empty of gifts. Torn wrapping paper and ribbons lay strew all over the floor, joyous disaster.

Storm, Serena, and Sadie joined us all at the farmhouse after that beautiful scene in front of Serena’s house. Sadie and Junie appeared to be besties as they dressed Sadie’s new dolls and rearranged the furniture in the dollhouse Rob brought down for Sadie. It seemed like just yesterday Junie and Skye spent every waking moment with that doll house.

Skye sat across from me, looking at her phone. “Can you believe this, Tillie? We finally got the city council to agree to hold a special town meeting about the lake. And get this, we’ve invited the CEO of that deplorable corporation trying to build that mega-resort on it.” She snorted. “Trying to ruin the pristine beauty of our lake for the comfort of the rich and famous. I don’t think so. But so far they’ve declined the invitation. Cowards.” Her mouth curved into a sly smirk. “Just wait ’til they read the blog post I’m writing. They’ll wish they’d have talked to me first.”

Storm leaned over and kissed Serena on the cheek as they played a loud and boisterous game of cards with Raven, Nash, Jasper and AJ. They cracked up with laughter as Jasper stood and circled the table with his thumbs in his armpits, clucking like a chicken. Everyone else held a thumb to their forehead with fingers waggling. Not sure what that was about, but it looked hilarious. I might have to get in on the next round.

Rowan and Rob stood at the back window, gesturing to the land, probably making plans for when Rowan returned to manage the farm in the spring. Honey and Elle poured over bride’s magazines at the kitchen counter. I knew Honey was over the moon to have a wedding coming so soon.

Junior, Jasper and AJ’s crazy pup kept trying to get Lulu to play, but she wasn’t interested. Every time he fake-pounced at her, she gave him a look like “Really?” and turned around to give him the cold shoulder. She seemed extremely tolerant of the exuberant pup but must have reached her limit.

Finally, Lulu came and sat by my feet. I gave her a thorough scratching behind the ears that had her back foot thumping. “You’re a good dog. Aren’t you Lulu?” I brought my head close to hers. “Thanks for your help in making this match a success. I won’t tell anyone, if you won’t.” She replied with a soft and gentle lick to my cheek. “Who do you think will be the next match? There’s just two left.”

Lulu sat for a moment, taking in all that was happening in the room around us, her gaze moving from person to person. She watched the girls playing on the floor for a bit, but then went over to Skye. She jumped right up into the chair next to her and gave her a big juicy kiss.

Skye groaned and wiped her face with her sleeve. “Ew. Lulu. What was that about? If you want attention, all you have to do is sit here and I’ll pet you. I didn’t need my makeup removed for me.”

Lulu looked over at me, and I swear, she winked. So that was her choice.

Skye was next.

A thrum of excitement moved through me, as it always did when divinely guided. And I already had a feeling this match would be even more adventurous and full of surprises than the others.

I may be old, but I still had a few more tricks up my sleeves. I rubbed my hands together and clutched them to my chest. The sky’s the limit on this one. I cackled to myself.

Hold on, Skye, this is gonna be a wild ride!

I hoped you enjoyed Storm & Serena’s love story.