Epilogue

Epilogue
A few months later...

Bruce Marshall's book was sold to a big Hollywood studio for a hefty price at just the right time since Paul was named as heir to all of Midge and Goose's possessions. He sold his home in Las Vegas and moved back to Apple Bay to reassert his identity in a place that has always been a part of him. The only place he ever felt whole, despite the hardships he endured.

Paul used the money from the studio and the money from the sale of the Las Vegas home and put it into renovating The Apple Bay Inn. He always thought the place could use some color and some livening up, and now that he had the funds, he went all in. The inn was closed for the better part of a year as permits needed to be submitted and approved, and renovations had to take place, but it would have taken longer without Paul's ace up his sleeve.

Turns out his stepfather had an old army friend who was the most influential guy down at city hall, who happened to be in charge of permits. Whenever Paul needed anything, he just had to call George and it would be taken care of almost immediately.

Paul's relationship with George improved dramatically and quickly too. George was able to maintain eye contact with Paul within six months after they had decided to try to mend their relationship. The old man was also very hand's on in helping with the actual renovation of the inn. Many of the town residents were. They left technical stuff to the professionals, but when it came down to painting or applying apple themed textured wall murals in public areas, everyone pitched in.

The biggest accomplishment was the addition of two elevators to the inn, as well as a more modern upgrade to the bedrooms and the bathrooms. However, by far and away, Paul's favorite upgrade was the new logo he and Serena worked on together.

Together, they created an apple made of the letter G, the letter M and "Jones" was written discreetly in place of a stem. They put that logo on everything, even had it imprinted on the new red cloth napkins they ordered for the restaurant.

Once everything was said and done, Paul had used up practically everything in his bank account. When the inn had it's grand reopening, Midge and Goose's regulars all came flooding back, and soon Paul's bank account grew stronger.

In honor of the kindness bestowed upon him by two people that didn't have to lift a finger to help him, Paul liked to hire kids he felt needed care and attention. He looked out for red flags and offered help when they needed it.

A year after the inn reopened, no one ever looked back. Serena hired a full-time manager to watch over the tea shop and Paul hired a manager for the inn so they could make up for the time they lost, not only while the inn was being renovated and re-established, but the fifteen years he spent away from here.

Heather Lindley left her husband for Wes Montgomery, but she left Wes when he expected her to get up at the crack of dawn to help him with the stables.

These days, Heather works at Connie's dress shop and lives in a small room above The Divine Apple.

Ellen had a near complete recovery, and she didn't know when, but she managed to genuinely fall in love with her husband. Every time she saw her family together, Ellen's heart wanted to burst from unadulterated happiness.

On the day Paul and Serena got married in the Apple Bay Inn courtyard, Paul held onto his bride realizing home was always truly where the heart is.

THE END