Epilogue
“Where are we going?” Tanner had blindfolded Izzy before he settled her into his SUV. She had tried to pay attention to his turns, but after the first few minutes, she just laughed when she realized he was intentionally driving her in circles.
“You’ll see.” His hand had been resting on her knee since they’d pulled out, and she covered it with hers, linking their fingers together. In the months since she had been back from New York, it had been tough to steal time together. The few moments that they did have were intense. She hadn’t known that she could love someone like she did Tanner, and he kept showing her how much he loved her every day.
The car finally came to a stop. “Wait right here.”
She heard the door open and click closed. She felt like an idiot, sitting God knows where with a blindfold over her eyes. Maybe a little peek would give her a clue where they’d gone. She reached to nudge it aside it when the door beside her opened.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Tanner rested his hand on her arm and helped her out of the car. She stepped onto pavement. So she was in a parking lot or on a street. But she couldn’t tell anything else. A car drove by from time to time and she heard some voices, but none that were recognizable.
“Watch your step.” Tanner nudged her forward. After a short walk, she could tell that she had entered a building.
The sounds of the street were muffled, and lights buzzed overhead. His hand left her arm and she reached her hands in front of her. “Tanner, what’s going on?”
He didn’t answer for a minute.
“Tanner?”
“You can take your blindfold off.” His voice was further away from her now.
She reached behind her head and removed the scarf. She blinked twice and then the room around her came into focus. He’d brought her to Jason’s House. And Tanner was in front of her, on one knee.
“Izzy. I didn’t think I had it in me to love again. To risk the pain. But then I met you and a light turned on in my life. I love your strength and your spirit and your determination. And I love how you love Hayley like she’s your own. We want you to be a part of our life.” He fumbled in his pocket and then extended his hand, a ring between his fingers. “Will you marry me?”
Her hands flew to her mouth. After years of feeling unlovable, she’d finally found the man to show her that she deserved to be loved.
“Of course I’ll marry you.”
He leapt up and pulled her into his arms. Her heart almost burst, and she couldn’t stop her hands from shaking.
Tanner spun her around. “She said yes!”
All of a sudden, Serena, Alexis, Justin, and Mom burst in the room from the back. Right behind them were Hayley and Mary. Even Blue joined them, yipping and barking and jumping at Hayley.
“I’m so happy for you, sis. Tanner’s perfect for you.” Justin wrapped her in a hug.
“Thanks, Justin.”
He nodded into her shoulder but then let her go and turned away.
Hayley rushed up, without Blue, and threw her arms around Izzy’s waist. “I’m so happy you’re going to marry Daddy. Does this mean you’re my Mommy now?”
Izzy crouched down so she could look Hayley in the eye. Her question might sound innocent enough, but Izzy knew that deep down, Hayley was worried about whether Izzy would leave. Or what may happen if Vanessa ever returned. “Well, honey, you already have a Mommy. Even though she’s not here with you, I know that she loves you. How could she not? You’re wonderful. I’m going to be married to your Daddy, and I’ll be your stepmother.” Izzy scrunched up her nose. “But I hate that word, don’t you?”
“It reminds me of Cinderella. Blech.”
“I agree. So what should we call me?”
Hayley quirked her mouth and tapped her temple with her finger. God, Izzy loved this girl so much. Then she threw her hands up. “I’ve got it.”
“What, honey?”
“How about S’Mom?”
“Smom?”
“No, S’Mom, like s’mores.”
“O… kay.” Where was Hayley going with this?
“Well, s’mores are warm and gooey and good, and that’s how you make me feel.”
Tears pooled in her eyes and dripped down her cheeks. She pulled Hayley back into her arms. “Oh, honey. That’s wonderful. I love you.”
“I love you, too. So much, Izzy, I mean, S’mom.”
Over Hayley’s head, she caught Tanner’s gaze. He mouthed, “You okay?”
She nodded and then mouthed back, “I love you.”
He rested his hand on his chest and smiled at her. He and Hayley had captured her heart the day they’d danced into her life.
* * *
I hope you enjoyed Tanner and Izzy’s story. Chasing Dreams is Book 1 in the Harper Family series. All of the stories are stand-alone complete stories with a guaranteed happily-ever-after. But come back over and over to see old friends and meet new ones.
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