epilogue
RILEY
TEN ON MONDAY MORNING arrives and there’s a knock at the door. Curious as to what Hunter’s surprise is, I open the door and am greeted by a man holding a piece of paper and a pen. “Sign here, please.”
Hunter left our new fence open this morning but told me to shut it once the deliveryman leaves.
I sign, then follow the man outside, my jaw dropping open at what I see. Right on our front lawn, walking down the ramp of a trailer, is the white Andalusian mare that I rode on my first date with Hunter.
He bought me the horse of my dreams.
A horse.
I cover my face, jumping up and down. Oh my god, I can’t believe he did this. I run down toward the animal, slowing as I get closer so not to scare her. The woman leading her smiles and hands me her reins.
“This beauty is yours now,” she says, stroking the horse. “Look after her.”
“I will,” I promise, nodding, tears threatening to leak from my eyes. “I definitely will.”
They pack up and leave, and I close the fence behind them, then look at my new horse. “Where am I going to put you, beauty?”
I nuzzle her face and walk her around Hunter’s back garden, which is large, but not large enough to exercise a horse. I’ll have to look for a stable close by to put her in, with a lot of land where I can ride her. I think I’m in shock, happiness filling me at how thoughtful my man is. How did I get so lucky?
After being miserable all week after finding out the truth about the fire, and the fact that Devon’s boyfriend will now most likely be heading to prison after his trial, I didn’t think anything could cheer me up. My parents tried, but nothing they said helped. All the pain from losing Devon was hitting me full force, and I was being really hard on myself over the whole situation.
This is the first time I’ve smiled since I got the phone call.
I pull out my phone to call him, the surprise of such a grand gesture making me forget all of my worries.
If Hunter loves me so much, maybe I’m not such a bad person after all.
“RILEY’S IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!” I cheer as Preston opens the doors. I do a little happy dance. After six months of work, my place is finally back, and I couldn’t be happier. I used the fifty thousand dollars and insurance money to help get me here, and since I was given the land in the divorce, I know that this is now all mine. I couldn’t be happier with the new setup of the pub.
“Congrats,” Preston calls out, grinning. “It feels so good to be back!”
Out of all the staff, Preston and Cheffy are the only ones who came back, but you know what? It’s okay. Callie now works at the firm, and Izaac stayed at his new job. We all still get together once a month and remain close friends. I’ve hired four new staff and can’t wait to get back into it, a fresh start.
A second chance.
One I’m not going to take for granted.
Cleo is also a new member to my team. She didn’t want to go back to aged care after getting out of rehab, and I told her that she always has a job here, and she took me up on it. I’m so proud of how well she’s doing, and I know Hunter is too. Everything is coming together, and after struggling so hard to get it this way, I’m going to enjoy every moment of it.
After my first day, I head to the stables to see Beauty before I head home. Hunter is waiting for me, a candlelit dinner set out on the table. He couldn’t make it to my opening today because he was in court, but I know he wanted to be there. He sent a beautiful bouquet of flowers to me, ones I left at work because the sunflowers brighten up the place, and because I smile every time I look at them.
“What’s all this?” I ask, leaning in for a kiss.
“A celebration dinner,” he says, pouring wine into two glasses. “I’m so proud of you, Riley.”
“Thank you.” I blush, ducking my head.
“I want to hear everything about opening day,” he says, pulling out my chair for me.
I sit down, thank him again, and take a sip of my wine. “Well, the place was packed,” I start, then tell him in detail about how it all went, about my new staff members, and about how Preston was letting his new power as manager go to his head.
Hunter listens to every word, hungry for information, laughing at the part about Preston.
“I’m going to come in tomorrow,” he tells me. “I don’t have too much on my schedule, and I need to experience the new and improved Riley’s. Save me my spot.”
“I will,” I reply, lip twitching. “And don’t worry, everything you love on the menu is still there.”
“Good,” he replies, eyes never leaving my face.
“How long are you going to stare at me for?” I ask, repeating words I’ve used in the past.
“How does forever sound?” he replies, smiling gently at me. “Fuck, I love you, Riley.” He stands up, then lowers himself down on one knee, opening a little black box in his hand. “Will you marry me?”
I look at the pear-shaped diamond ring, my mouth dropping open.
“Yes, of course I will,” I say, my fingers shaking as he places the ring on my finger. He stands, and kisses me deeply, and I reach my arms up around him and hold on to him for dear life.
I’m going to be his wife.
Let’s hope husband number two goes better than the first.