Epilogue
Seven months later Minka sat, observing the beautiful wedding reception. After much debate, Cael had talked Autumn into a less elaborate venue than what she’d wanted in the beginning, and they never rehired the bridal consultant. Nonetheless, the park they’d chosen for both the ceremony and reception had served as the perfect backdrop.
Like she’d expected, she and Wes were kept busy chasing Caela from the day’s start until twenty minutes ago, when she fell asleep in her father’s lap. With the daunting “terrible two’s” in sight, the tot had thrown a tantrum during the whole time they were dressing her and styling her hair. In the end, however, she loved prancing around in the gown and wouldn’t let Minka change her for the planned festivities.
The tired parents shared a look of agreement about taking their leave, but Cael approached their table and delayed their exit.
He nodded to his niece. “She couldn’t take anymore, huh?”
“Nope. At one point, I predicted she would outlast us,” Minka replied.
“At least she behaved herself for the ceremony.” He gave a gentle stroke to her head, before regarding his sister-in-law. “Do you have one more dance in you?”
She chuckled. “I’m not sure. Do you, Wes?”
Cael took her hand once she offered it and led her onto the dance floor. Her conscience pricked her, considering he hadn’t spent much time away from his new wife’s side all evening. Autumn allayed her worries, offering a wink from afar that assured her she didn’t mind.
“Not many married men have time to pay attention to their sister-in-law,” she teased.
“This one does, and he always will.” He smiled and paused for a moment. “A few days ago, I was cleaning through my briefcase and found your note.”
She didn’t have to question which one, remembering when she’d penned it like it was yesterday. It was the day she’d given birth to Caela, soon after she resigned from the force. In it, she expressed how much he meant to her and all that he added to her life as her partner and friend. She’d tucked it into his briefcase when he visited them after they returned home from the hospital. She always wondered why he’d never mentioned it but resisted asking him, afraid it’d made him uncomfortable.
“You didn’t clean out your briefcase for almost two years?”
He had to snicker but wouldn’t let her change the subject. “No one’s ever said words like that about me.”
“I was hours away from giving birth and very hormonal,” she explained, before finally admitting, “but I meant every one of them.”
“And I feel the same way about you. Not Autumn nor our future kids or any partner I have on the force will ever take your place. You’ve gone from my partner to my sister-in-law, to one of the best friends I could imagine.” He kissed her cheek, and a couple of her tears made their escape.
After the first chorus of the ballad, somebody tapped her shoulder. She spun around and found Robin.
He smirked at Cael. “May I?”
She would’ve once taken it as an affront and sign of his jealousy, but they all enjoyed a better relationship these days. He and she had bonded like never before over the past few months. Of course, it helped that they had some distance between them, with Robin having moved back to his apartment the day after Hamilton’s arrest. Aside from that, both had made strides to mend fences and tried not to take each other for granted.
“I figured you’d gone home half an hour ago,” she told her brother.
“No, I swiped another piece of cake from the table and had to make a phone call afterward. I have some news.”
She braced herself, but his smile gave her hope.
“The police academy I applied to in Tennessee had a cancellation and asked me to take the empty spot. I’m flying there tomorrow so I can start training on Monday.”
His sister beamed and hugged him. In all honesty, she wondered whether or not he was up for the challenge, but she couldn’t have been prouder. “Are you serious? Robin, that’s great!”
“I wanted to share it with you first. You’re the biggest reason I decided to join the force.”
“Ironically enough, you were mine, too.” Minka swallowed the lump in her throat. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you that, have I?”
Robin gave a shrug and smiled. “I guess we’re even now.”
THE END
A word about the author…
Karina Bartow grew up and still lives in Northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want.
Her debut novel, Husband in Hiding, was released in 2015, followed by Forgetting My Way Back to You in 2018. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart!
karinabartow.com