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“I saw you coming here. I thought you wanted me to follow,” a familiar masculine voice said, and Isabel turned.

She groaned inwardly as she saw Stanhope approaching her. When would the man learn?

“No,” Isabel said tightly. “I am actually waiting for someone else.”

“I am not so certain you are,” he countered.

Isabel was tempted to roll her eyes. Just then, loud steps sounded, and it felt as if the ground shook. Stanhope turned toward the sound, perplexed, before Button appeared behind a rose bush. The exuberant pup saw his mistress and, as was his custom, lunged at her.

Isabel slunk behind Stanhope and hurried to the other side of the garden just as Button tackled the poor man to the ground.

Millicent appeared from behind the bushes, followed by Rhys.

“What happened here?” Rhys barked as he saw Stanhope lying on the ground as Button licked his face.

Isabel giggled. “Seems like Button made a new friend.”

She walked toward her husband and kissed him on the lips.

“Ew!” Millie turned away with a grimace. “Button, come!”

The dog sprinted toward his little mistress, and the entire family walked out of the garden and toward the stream for their own little picnic.

* * *

Dear Mother,

Although this entire situation started as a disaster, now I am a very proud mother of a vivacious soon-to-be seven-year-old girl and a wife to the most attentive husband on earth.

You were right, sometimes mistakes catch up to us and make us pay, but sometimes it’s a blessing in disguise. After all, we wouldn’t have ices without a blizzard.

I hope you are resting in peace,

Until the time we meet again,

Isabel

Epilogue

Eleven years later…

Isabel wrung her hands in front of her, feeling as nervous as if it was her debut. But, no. At her debut, she was not nervous at all. She was delighted, bright-eyed, and absolutely excited for the next chapter of her life.

But today, Isabel had butterflies rioting in her stomach. She had been preparing for this night for two long months. The invitations, menus, decor, and everything else had taken a great deal of effort. The night seemed like a success, and still, Isabel felt as though she’d forgotten something.

Had she?

“You’re beautiful,” a low voice of her husband announced just behind her ear.

His warm breath moved the wisps of her hair, and shivers ran down her spine. He stepped closer then, his arm snaking around her waist. His hand burned through the layers of her clothes, tipping her off balance and anchoring her at the same time.

Isabel looked around at the crowd surrounding them. The open display of affection would once again get them in trouble. It wasn’t proper, Isabel knew. But at the moment, she was too nervous to care.

So she accepted the embrace and leaned her back against Rhys’s hard chest. She covered his hand on her waist with hers, her breaths evening out, her heartbeat slowing to the regular rhythm.

“How is she?” Isabel asked.

“Just like she was five minutes ago when you checked on her. Fearless.” His voice held a note of pride.