If You Only Knew (Harper Falls Book 3) (39 page)

Where they ended up was as surprising as the car. And just
as meaningful.

As they got out of the car, Tyler marveled that the path
down to the river was still here. Drew thought his Thunderbird would end up on
the scrap heap. She thought Regina would have blown this place to kingdom come.

Silently, Drew took her hand, leading her down. Such a
familiar journey, yet somehow new. This time they weren’t hiding. If someone
saw Tyler Jones and Drew Harper together, well, let them look. Kids no longer.
Adults, able to make their own decisions. Free to love.

“The last time we were here…”

Tyler squeezed his hand. The worst day of her life. She
looked around the cove. So many happy times. For too long, this place
represented only pain. Finally, she was able to reclaim the good times.

“We can come back here anytime we want. From now on, I
want our lasting memory to be a good one.”

Drew released Tyler’s right hand, picking up her left. His
eyes locked on hers, he slipped a platinum band onto her ring finger. The
diamond wasn’t large, the setting a bit old-fashioned. In other words, it was
perfect.

“It belonged to my great-great-grandmother. My dad
showed it to me once. He made me promise to find a woman who wanted me enough
to accept a ring whose sentimental value far outweighed its monetary
worth.”

Drew lightly touched her mouth with his. The kiss sweet.

“Marry me, Tyler?”

Beaming, Tyler nodded. Her answer, simple. After all these
years, there was no need for more.

“Yes.”

“THE STATUE IS perfect, Tyler.”

Tyler thanked the unknown woman. All day since the unveiling
of her contribution to the Harper Falls Centennial, people had come up to her
like they were old friends. Most were complete strangers. Tyler simply smiled,
the glow of success practically beaming from every pore.

The celebration, over two years in the planning, was a party
like nothing Harper Falls had ever known. Those who warned about snow ruining
the festivities were proven wrong.

It was the second week in December. The weather was
unseasonably mild. Crowds of happy people milled around, taking in puppet
shows, eating food from booths where vendors served a mind-boggling assortment.
Hot chocolate. Spiced cider. The choices were neverending.

“Your book will be sold out by the end of the
day,” Tyler said to Dani.

The hardcover history of Harper Falls was filled with a
mixture of old and new photographs. Dani spent months taking pictures,
compiling what she hoped was a proper representation. By the way people snapped
it up, she nailed it.

“I’m amazed. There are already plans for a second
printing.”

“Well, I’m not surprised.” Alex took Dani into his
arms, giving her a thorough kiss. “You are a brilliant photographer.”

“I would say love is blind, except that would be false
modesty.”

They all laughed. Tyler looked around at her friends, the
men they loved.

Rose had something she never thought possible. Love. Jack
Winston took the opening she provided and ran with it. The one-night stand that
never happened turned into a true love story.

Dani found the love of her life, gave him up, only to get
her second chance. She and Alex were perfect together. Both strong, resilient.
Their future wonderfully, blindingly bright.

“You did it, Ty.”

Drew came up behind her, his arms slipping around her waist.
He rubbed his cheek against her hair.

“Everyone finally sees what I always knew. You are
brilliant, my love.”

He nodded toward the bronze statue prominently displayed in
the town center. A man, a woman, and a child. They represented Harper Falls.
Family. Opportunity. A place that welcomed everyone — turned away none. It was
an ideal. Something to strive for. She wanted generations to come to look at it
and understand the tradition being passed to them.

“I thought I needed to prove this town wrong,”
Tyler relaxed against Drew. “I was going to show them that Tyler Jones was
capable of being more than a hot head. I wanted to shove my talent in their
faces and say, ‘You thought I couldn’t do it? Well, look. I’m good. Damn
good.’”

“You did just that.”

“I’ve suddenly realized it wasn’t the people of Harper
Falls I needed to prove something to; it was me. In spite of all my bravado,
I’ve always had a little voice telling me I wasn’t good enough. Well, you know
what, Drew Harper? I am.”

Drew spun her around, kissing the breath out of her.

“Damn straight, you are.” He kissed her again, slower.
“Mmm, how much longer do we have to stay?”

“Down boy,” Tyler laughed.

She took his hand, strolling through the street.

“I’m going to say this, and then the name can be locked
away again. Where is Regina?”

The Harper Falls Centennial celebration was Regina’s baby.
She pushed, prodded, bullied. Micro-managed every detail. Now, she wasn’t here
to enjoy her labors.

“You didn’t really expect her?”

“I know she isn’t known to socialize with the common
folk.” Tyler looked around. Definitely not Regina’s crowd.

“I imagine she’ll put in an appearance,” Drew
shrugged. “Let the hoi polloi bask in her presence for a few minutes then
return to her crypt.”

And with that, as promised, the subject of Regina Harper was
retired. She had no place in their happy lives. That shadow was lifted forever.

They joined their friends, everyone getting something hot to
drink. Alex’s sister Lila, who spent the morning making sure her flower
displays were properly set out, accepted a cup of cider from Jack.

“Here’s to us.” Jack raised his cup with one hand,
his other holding one of Rose’s.

“To us,” the group echoed, tapping cups all
around.

They drank, talking, enjoying the company.

When Rose’s phone signaled an incoming text, she handed her
hot chocolate to Jack. Looking at the message, she gave a bemused laugh.

“What?” Tyler asked.

Rose turned the phone so everyone could see.

“Guess who’s coming to Christmas dinner?”

COMING IN OCTOBER

IF I HAD YOU — CHRISTMAS IN HARPER FALLS

LILA’S STORY