Perfect Night (Mason Creek #4) - Terri E. Laine Page 0,69

can count on it.”

Epilogue

Weeks later

Coming to terms with the circumstance of my father’s death may never happen. Somewhere in the weeks that followed, Aiden had almost finished the house. He’d gotten help from Wyatt to replace old floorboards and other carpentry work. Sadie’s dad, Burt, who owned Plumbing Solutions, updated the plumbing. Aiden contracted other people in town with work he couldn’t do himself. However, I had a feeling he’d find projects to work on around the house.

I graduated from college with my business degree around the same time. Aiden, his parents, and my friends were there for support at the ceremony. It was such as good feeling to have them be there.

Meanwhile, Evan had his initial court hearing, and he wasn’t granted bail because the prosecutor claimed he was a flight risk. Though his lawyer was appealing that. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Evan facing the death penalty. What he’d done was morally wrong, but I could now agree with Aiden that his intent probably wasn’t murder after seeing the video footage inside the bar. He deserved time for sure. But I wasn’t a lawyer and would let the legal people worry about that.

I was doing my best to move past all the hurt and pain. Though I didn’t want to, I had to release my anger to move forward. It was a day-by-day thing. And tonight was a beautiful evening. The sun was low in the sky as Aiden and I sat in a clearing near the lake. He picked up dinner from the Italian restaurant in town and took me on picnic date.

“What do you think?” he asked, taking another bite of his pasta.

He hadn’t worn any hat tonight, and I brushed away a strand of hair covering his eye. “Good. I could have cooked for you,” I said.

“Tonight, I wanted you to just enjoy the evening.”

I smiled because I’d gotten lucky. I’d dodged a bullet and now I was with a man I adored and who adored me.

“I got the estimates back,” I said, enthusiastically. “Work can begin this week.”

The life insurance money had come through. I’d opened an account out of town because I really didn’t want anyone to know I was technically a millionaire. It didn’t feel right to profit from my father’s death either.

“He would be happy,” Aiden said. “You heard what Evan said.”

In interviews with the prosecution, Evan admitted during the argument with my father before he died, Dad had told Evan he’d taken his advice from a phone call they had prior to meeting and had gotten better life insurance so that I wouldn’t need Evan in the event of his death. Evan hadn’t wanted to be charged with killing my father to get access to the money I would get. Apparently, his family had cut him off. That had been the real reason behind the fake ring. Though his parents paid for his lawyer. They didn’t want their name tarnished.

“I know. But I’d rather have my father than the money,” I said. He squeezed my hand as I fought tears. “I’m not going to cry.”

“You can cry whenever you want. I’ll be here.”

I wiped my eyes as I nodded. “It’s a nice night. Let’s talk about something else.”

He changed the subject as I asked. “A friend of mine asked me for a favor.”

“Should I be worried?”

“It could be a good thing. There are two women who need to relocate. A mother and daughter. I thought maybe the mother would be a good fit to run your bed and breakfast unless you have someone else in mind.”

“I don’t. But if they’re in trouble…”

“Oh, they’re good people. The daughter is a registered nurse. I’m going to ask Miles if he needs a nurse in his office. Otherwise, I’m sure she would be willing to help at the B&B.”

“I trust you. If you trust this friend and them, we could do that.”

His smile warmed my insides and my mind drifted to the moment we’d get home. I was ready for him to show me all the ways he could love me.

“I also hear that Blake Walker and Jack Torres are coming back to town,” he said.

“Really? Maybe we should throw them a welcome home party at the bar?”

“You have the kindest heart. I think that’s a good thing. We should let them know they’re our heroes.”

My head spun with ideas. I’d see if the mayor wanted to get involved if they didn’t have anything else planned.

When we finished eating, Aiden took