Epilogue

Twenty-Four Days Later

 “Land ho!” the sailor in the crow’s nest aboard ship cried out, bringing goose bumps to Violet’s arms. America lay straight ahead. Rough weather had added a few days to the trip, but even with her fear of water, she felt safe with Parker’s arms around her. Now, she faced her next challenge. America. She could barely make out an outcropping of land on the horizon.

 Parker strode up behind her and encircled her waist, and she melted into his chest. “Soon, we’ll be there, darling.”

 “I’ll admit to being anxious but excited, too. We didn’t lose many roses on our journey.” She stared up at him, and he caught her lips. “Although I’m kind of sad to be leaving our honeymoon ship.”

 “The honeymoon needn’t be over simply because we leave this ship,” he replied as he captured her lips again.

 “But things will be different. Although I can’t wait to see McMahon Nursery and Philadelphia, I’ll be viewed as the outsider, the Englishwoman.” She placed her arms over Parker’s, hoping that between them, they could quell the butterflies in her stomach, which insisted in fluttering in perfect unison to the waves slapping the ship.

 “Everyone will love you, Violet. You’re beautiful, cultured, charming, an accomplished lover . . . ” He nuzzled his head against hers.

 She swatted his hand. “You will be the only one to have the knowledge of my prowess in the bedroom, silly man.”

 “I certainly plan to be your only man. We should get below and begin our packing, as we’ll be disembarking by this afternoon. Perhaps you can show me again how much you’ve learned in the past few weeks.” Parker dribbled a row of kisses from her earlobe to her collarbone, and she sighed in contentment as she took his hand and led him to their chambers. A lifetime with this man would not be enough.

• • •

 By mid-afternoon, all the roses were hauled on shore, along with the rest of the merchandise from the Mulberry Hill Nursery. Parker arranged for two large wagons and a hired hand to transport the merchandise and his new wife to the outskirts of Philadelphia where the greenhouse and Thomas McMahon awaited them. At least he hoped his missive to Thomas had arrived before him and the greenhouse had been emptied out in anticipation of his arrival. He’d written to his employer about all the roses, but he refrained from telling him about the Violet he was also bringing along. Not that he needed the McMahon stamp of approval, but Violet was his concern, and, right or wrong, their idyllic crossing of the Atlantic had been a kind of cocoon for their early marriage, and he didn’t want any intrusions. But intrusions were coming whether he gave advance notice or not. The docks were alive with all kinds of accents and languages, so her presence went unnoticed. But once they began heading into town, Parker noticed Violet’s stranglehold on her handkerchief.

 He placed his hand over hers and stared into her beautiful blue eyes. “Everyone will love you, Violet. There’s no need to be apprehensive.”

 Soon enough, they arrived at the nursery. Thomas McMahon emerged from the office when the rumbling of the wagon made their arrival apparent. Parker jumped from the wagon and latched onto Thomas’s shoulder. “Good to see you, Thomas.”

 “And you as well, Parker. Did the roses survive the crossing?” Thomas glanced at the full wagon before his gaze skittered to the woman on the seat. His brow rose in question as his gaze returned to Parker, who smiled.

“In addition to the roses, Thomas, I’ve also brought to America the rose expert herself. This is Edgar Wilson’s daughter, Violet.” Parker assisted Violet in her climb from the wagon, and she smoothed her skirts. “Violet, this is my boss, Mr. McMahon.”

Thomas took hold of her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Wilson.”

He then shifted his gaze to Parker. “A word, please.” He latched onto Parker’s shoulder and led him away from Violet. “This is certainly unusual. I didn’t authorize passage for a person along with the roses.”

“I know her presence is unexpected, but please allow me to explain.” Parker grinned before returning to Violet’s side and placing an arm around her shoulders.

“Thomas, I came back with more than roses. Violet is my new wife.” His arm tightened around her.

 Thomas shook his head and then extended his hand to Violet again. “So you managed to bring this brooding man to his knees, did you? Congratulations and welcome to America.”

 Violet’s face brightened, and she got a true smile on her face for the first time since land had been sighted. “Thank you, sir, for your welcome.”

 “I can’t wait to see what stock you’ve returned with. Mr. Jefferson has sent me several pieces of correspondence in your absence. He’s most eager to get his rose bed in place.” Thomas removed the protective hemp grain sack cloth from the shrubs and glanced at the closest roses, reaching out to touch their leaves. He nodded his approval before shifting his gaze back to Violet. “I presume you’ll want to help us deliver Mr. Jefferson’s roses?”

 “If I may be involved, I’d love to go to Monticello and assist Parker in creating the bed we drew on paper together.” Violet spoke softly, as if the words would explode if she said them too loud.

 Parker waited for Thomas to nod his agreement. Mr. Jefferson’s roses were what had begun this trip. It was only fitting that Violet be on site when they did the installation of the Jefferson rose bed. It was only the start of what they’d create together.

“Of course you are invited. Mr. Jefferson would love to talk to the expert about your hybridizing techniques, something we’re only beginning to understand here in the States.” Thomas took hold of her hand again. “Allow me to escort you into our greenhouse, your new home.”

Parker put up a hand to stop Thomas. “Uh, there’s one more thing, Thomas. Once we plant Mr. Jefferson’s roses, Violet and I will return to England. Violet’s work there is too important. In fact, right before we left, she got a letter from the Royal Horticultural Society inviting her to join their lecture tour. And her father, Edgar Wilson, has offered to make me a partner in his business.”

Thomas stood quietly as he processed the information. Violet searched his face and the play of emotions that were evident. Shock, resignation, amusement, and pride paraded across his features, one after the other.

He clasped Parker’s shoulder. “Well done, Parker. I will miss you, but it’s time I took the reins of the business anyway. Since Father died, you’ve been running things here more than me, but you’ve been a great teacher. McMahon Nursery will carry on, especially now we’ll have a good friend at the finest nursery in England.”

Violet breathed a sigh of relief. And then a sigh of excitement. She would get to meet Mr. Jefferson, help plant the rose bed she and Parker had designed together, and then they’d head back to England to begin a new chapter in her life. She’d tour England a bit as a lecturer, she’d continue her experiments, and hopefully, she and Parker would raise some hybrid children of their own in the coming years. Life didn’t get much better than this.