Epilogue

“So this is the Coeur d’Alene Valentine’s Day Ball?”

Rose stared out at the building, tiny pink and red fairy lights draped from the scrollwork and carved stone. Hearts and dancing Cupids formed a path toward the wide double doors where music poured out in welcome. Fairies danced in a weathervane and gazing globes glinted in moonlight.

“It is and I expect you to save me a dance,” Stephen MacBriar said gruffly as he parked the huge boat of a car outside the town hall and reached over to pat Rose’s hand. “If only one, since I know Samson will likely claim the rest.”

Sam.

The peace she’d embraced so fully since arriving shivered in Rose’s stomach.

She hadn’t seen Sam since she’d stormed out of Odette’s apartment. They’d texted and emailed and had one stilted phone conversation in which no mention was made of a future, of sex or of their feelings.

But she’d see him tonight.

And they’d settle everything.

Rose blew out a breath as her grandfather alighted from the car like a much younger man, circling to open her door with the old-world charm she’d come to realize was such a part of him.

“M’dear,” he said as he held out a hand. “I’ll get the chair.”

While he went to the trunk for Leah’s wheelchair, Rose opened the back door. Ignoring the nerves jumping in her stomach, she focused on helping her grandmother out of the car and into her wheelchair. It was like looking into her own eyes, she realized as she smiled at the older woman. Not just the shape and color, but the softness there.

The love she’d instantly felt for these people was so easy to see reflected in those blue eyes.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Leah said quietly, smoothing her black skirt and giving Rose a brilliant smile. “That we’ve had this week together.”

“Thank you for welcoming me. For making me feel at home.”

“You are our princess,” Leah said with a tremulous smile as she reached out, her fingers barely skimming Rose’s hair before she tucked them away again. “You are our light. A special part of our hearts slept while you were away.”

“And now you’re back.” A big, gruff man, Stephen cleared his throat before giving Rose an abrupt nod. “For as long as you choose, this is your home.”

No questions. No restrictions or expectations or demands.

Simply welcoming arms and warm smiles.

What she felt was beyond magic, beyond the power she was learning to embrace. What she felt was joy.

It was wonderful.

“I am here to stay. I’m home.” Rose breathed deep the air, its gentle scent filling her spirit with a gift even more special than the magic she’d discovered. This was happiness, she realized.

“And Samson?” Leah asked as they entered the town hall, her words calm but her eyes dancing with mischief. “Will you enjoy spending time with him?”

Comfortable or not, Rose didn’t feel right baring her heart to the sweet-faced elderly woman. At least, not until she’d talked with Sam himself. So all she could offer was,

“I suppose we’ll see.”

Rose swept off the cloak she’d wrapped herself in against the cool night hair. Beneath was her favorite dress. A glittering brocade of the palest pink, edged in a lavender so deep it looked washed in blue. The bodice hugged her curves, the skirt flowed like petals over silken legs. Surrounded by family, she stepped into the hall that housed the Coeur d’Alene Valentine’s Day Ball with a comfortable smile.

She’d found home.

Then her gaze found Sam.

And she found her heart.

In a simple black suit and tieless shirt of the same color, he exuded elegance. Just seeing him made her head spin and her heart race.

Not sure if her knees would go next, Rose waited for Sam to walk to her instead of meeting him halfway. She watched as he greeted her grandparents with warm smiles and friendly hugs. Then he turned to her.

“Dance?”

Rose hesitated for only a moment before resting her hand in his.

“Worried?”

“Well, I don’t know if you can dance,” she teased, flashing him a bright smile.

“True,” he acknowledged as he led her to the dance floor already crowded with smiling people swaying to the beat. “But we already know we fit perfectly together.”

“Horizontally.”

“Willing to try vertically?”

“With you? I’m willing to try everything.”

Sam wrapped her in those strong arms, pulling her against the tempting length of his amazing body.

“Welcome home,” he said quietly.

“It feels like home. It feels right.”

“And now that you’ve found that out, we can shift focus to us. To seeing what we have together and building a future.”

Rose blinked. He sounded so sure. So absolute in his belief that they’d do exactly as he said.

“As simple as that?” she asked, wondering if she should be offended by his assumption. Sure, she’d felt in her heart that they’d marry. But hearing him say it made it so real.

“Some things should be simple,” he said quietly. He stared down at her with his heart in his eyes, love showing strong and clear. “When they’re meant to be, why complicate them?”

“And us? Are we meant to be?”

“You’re the one with power,” he murmured, brushing a whisper of a kiss against her temple before giving her a warm smile. “You tell me.”

She could play the teasing game or attempt her hand at hard to get. But as much as Rose loved designing games for a living, she didn’t need one in love.

“We are,” she vowed. “We’re meant for each other.”

“I love you, Rose MacBriar,” he vowed fervently, his mouth taking hers in a kiss that promised forever. When he finally lifted his head, hers was spinning. “Whether you choose to live here, or in California. Whether you want to work for Black Magic or in a bookstore or not at all. Whether you keep the magic or cast it aside, it’s you I love.”

And with that, he answered every question her heart had and set all her worries at ease.

Rose could only smile.

“I love you, too,” she promised, letting the love she felt show in her eyes. “And I guess that’s meant to be, too.”

With that, she rested her head against his shoulder and let the feeling of joy dance around them. She followed Sam’s skilled steps, as the music filled her. In the corner sitting with her grandparents, she saw Odette. She’d known the Karmanski’s were coming, but hadn’t had a chance to say hello. She watched as the older woman gestured broadly, her smile glittering as she told some story or other.

Natalia sat with them, her smile content as she surveyed the room. Probably looking for potential sons-in-law, Rose thought with a silent laugh.

Not that Anja needed help in that department. From the gathering of men surrounding the dark-haired beauty, all she had to do was choose and they’d fall at her feet.

Rose watched the air sparkle, heard the chimes that sounded like fairies calling for fun. And leaned her head on Sam’s chest with a sigh.

She’d found magic.

She’d found love.

And now, she was home.