Recognition dawned on her beautiful features. “Oh, yeah. I forgot about that.”
“You told them it was discrimination and that school that didn’t support a student fighting for her life should be ashamed of themselves. Then you stormed out and said that they would be hearing from your lawyers.”
“I didn’t have lawyers, but it worked.” Her face lit up. “They let Cara be in the court.”
“I know.”
The corners of her eyes scrunched. “Wait. Did you…?”
“I had my dad give them a call outlining the disability act.”
“You did?” She swooned, making her “romantic” face.
“Yeah. And I remember thinking that was what a real princess was. Someone who fought for what was right, who would walk away from the crown to stand up for her subjects. From that day on, you were my Princess.”
The tears were back.
She nodded as she sniffed. “Okay, we can keep Princess.”
“I love you, Princess.”
“I love you, Superman.”
Epilogue
Harmony
Two weeks later….
Cara fell into the chair beside Destiny and we all looked out over her reception. Everyone was dancing and having fun, both the wedding and the reception had gone off without a hitch.
“Can you believe we did it?” Cara asked.
“No,” Destiny and I answered at the same time.
We all laughed.
The last two weeks had been crazy. Hud had been in the hospital for four days before they released him and I’d been able to bring him home with me. After that, there had been reporters and bloggers calling nonstop to try to get an interview with the hero that saved both a woman and child who had been held hostage by their husband and father. Hud had done one of his ninja moves that I was so fond of, and saved their lives. He was going to be getting a medal of recognition when he returned to active duty in a week.
Not only that, his cousin Kyle had flown into town—in his private jet—to personally oversee the rest of the construction of Reed Rescue Ranch, which was now ahead of schedule for the opening. It’s amazing what millions of dollars can get you.
At first Hud had been bummed that he hadn’t been there to finish what he started, but luckily I had a few tricks up my sleeve to take his mind off of things. Let’s just say that Romeo had been getting a lot of extra-large bones lately, and he wasn’t the only one.
He’d tried, and failed, to have a do-over on the proposal. But I wasn’t backing down on this one. Women could propose. He finally let it go when I told him if he didn’t like being proposed to he could go ask another woman to marry him. He’d said my name in that way that let me know I’d won, and hadn’t brought it up since.
“So much has happened in a year, it’s crazy. Last year at this time, we were all single. No prospects in sight. Now look at us. Married with a baby, married with a baby on the way, and going to be married next month.” Cara reached out for baby Lilah, who was asleep on my shoulder.
“Fine, you can hold her, but only cause it’s your day.” I reluctantly handed my niece off.
“You can always make one of your own,” Cara shot back as she snuggled her into her arms.
“Someday.” I nodded.
Both of my friends looked at me like I was crazy.
“What? A girl can change her mind.”
Destiny smiled broadly. “Welcome to the white picket fence club. We’ll have your card before the next meeting.”
I knew she was joking, but I was actually proud to be a card-carrying member of that club. Hud, a family, Wishing Well, Romeo—it was the life I never knew I always wanted.
“Hey is that…?” Destiny asked pointing towards the door.
“I can’t believe it,” Cara whispered. “I invited her, but I never thought…she’d actually come.”
It took me a minute to search the crowded room and see who they were talking about. But when my eyes fell on a gorgeous, stunning blonde, that looked suspiciously like a very grown up Isabella Conner, I knew I’d found the target.
“Does Colton know?” I asked, as chills ran up my arms.
“He does now.” Cara inclined her head to where Colton was standing, looking like he’d just seen a ghost.
Which was probably how he felt.
Coining the wise words of Loretta Reed, I said, “Well, this should be fun.”
THE END