“After being sworn in this morning, I would like to announce our new Sheriff of Harmony Falls. Grayson Taylor!”

The applause is deafening as Grayson shakes hands with the mayor before taking his stance in front of the podium.

“That guy always gets all the attention.” My gaze shifts over to Terrell at his lighthearted grunt, seeing a smirk on his lips.

“Oh be quiet.” Tania playfully elbows him, making him chuckle.

“Okay. He deserves this… I guess.”

Shaking my head with a giggle, I return my gaze to Grayson. I can tell he’s a little nervous by the way his fingers grip the wood but to everyone else he looks steadfast and stronger than ever.

“Thank you,” his deep voice booms into the microphone and the crowd quiets. “It’s hard to believe how much we’ve had to overcome in order to get here. I think it’s fair to say we’ve probably all learned a little about ourselves over the last couple of months. I know I have. I’ve also learned things about people I never thought possible. People I trusted.”

I hear a sniffle to my left and look over to see Carol watching him with pride, yet also regret and a deep sense of loss. Reaching across Pap, I give her hand a gentle squeeze, offering comfort. She gives me a weak smile in return.

“But I’ve also learned people can change, and courage comes in many forms. It doesn’t always have to be laying your life down on the line for someone else. Sometimes it might be owning your mistakes and doing right by them.”

My heart warms as he looks over at Brandon who’s standing with his parents and Jamal’s family. His father gripping his shoulder for encouragement.

“Sometimes it means finding forgiveness when it seems impossible.” Grayson takes a moment to look out over the sea of people before his eyes lock with mine. “Actually, I’ve seen courage, kindness, and forgiveness at it’s best.”

My breath hitches, tears blurring my vision. To hear him say that after he saw me at my weakest means more than I could ever say.

“We can choose to dwell or we can choose to move on from what’s happened.” That deep valley of conviction bunches between his brows as his eyes roam the crowd once more. “It may take time for some to trust again, but I promise you all, you can trust me. I vow to always seek the truth and stand up for what’s right. It will always be about right and wrong. We’re all in this together, and as long as we stand united, justice will always prevail.”

“Amen,” Fletcher shouts, bringing a smile to my face.

The crowd erupts as Grayson steps down from the small stage. He forges a path through the throng of people, shaking hands with everyone as he passes.

Once he makes it through most of them, his stride picks up, eyes fixed firmly on me. My heart skips a beat when he reaches his destination, banding one arm around my waist. He pulls me in close before he picks me up off my feet and lays one heck of a kiss on me.

My arms wind around his neck, everyone falling away as I lose myself in my favorite place…a place where I hope to spend the rest of my life.

Once he’s kissed me thoroughly, he pulls back but keeps me locked tightly in his arms, my feet dangling off the ground.

“Great speech. I’m proud of you, Sheriff Taylor,” I tell him with a soft smile.

He grunts, uncomfortable with my praise. “I hate public speaking.”

“Well you did great. This town is lucky to have you.”

His eyes lock with mine, the intensity of his stare robbing me of air. “I’m lucky to have you.”

I bite my lip and press my forehead to his, savoring this perfect moment.

“You ready for Paris, baby?”

The smile on my face has been permanent since he surprised me with the trip a few days ago, telling me I deserved to see the world and take the trip I missed out on. He even lined up Tania to take care of Pap for me while we’re away, knowing I would worry about him.

A week alone with the man I love, in one of the most romantic cities in the world…how could I resist?

“I’ve been ready since I was eighteen years old.”

He returns my smile. “Good. We’ll finish packing when we get home.”

Home.

My tummy flips every time he says that word. Grayson has permanently moved into the guesthouse with me, and I couldn’t be happier. Not only because I love the farm so much and could never imagine living anywhere else, but because now I’m surrounded by my two favorite men every day and the joy that brings me cannot be described.

“Pfft. Paris.” Terrell scoffs, interrupting our moment. “You’ve been sheriff a whole five minutes and you’re already taking a vacation.”

With a swift kiss to my lips, Grayson places me back on my feet before turning to Terrell. “I’m sure you can handle things while I’m gone. I’ve got faith in you, crutches and all.”

Terrell lifts one of the metal crutches he leans on, pointing it at Grayson’s chest. “Watch yourself, brother, I can do some serious damage with this thing.”

Grayson grunts while Tania and I both share a laugh.

“All right, you know I’m just busting your balls.” Terrell chuckles, offering him his hand. “Congratulations, Taylor. You deserve this.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Just don’t think you can be bossing me around or anything.”

“Someone needs to fetch my coffee,” Grayson shoots back.

I shake my head with a smile.

Carol walks over now, wrapping her arms around Grayson’s waist. “I’m proud of you, son, and your father would be, too,” she adds quietly.

A small flash of pain washes over Grayson’s expression before he quickly schools it. “I know, Mom. Thanks.”

More people approach to congratulate Grayson. Brandon and his parents along with Jamal’s family also offer their support and encouragement. As I watch them shake not only Grayson’s hand but Pap’s too, a new sense of comfort invades my soul.

What started out as a bad choice led to devastation and has now ended in peace and unity. I know as long as there are people like Grayson, Terrell, and Wilkinson protecting Harmony Falls, good will always overcome evil, and right will always overcome wrong.

EPILOGUE

Grayson

Eight years later

“Make a wish, Daisy Mae,” Liv says, kneeling down next to our daughter.

Every time I see them side-by-side it still takes my breath away. She looks just like her mother, soft blonde hair and those big brown eyes I can never refuse.

I can’t believe she’s seven years old today. Other than Liv agreeing to marry me—she was the best thing that came from our trip to Paris. A surprise to say the least, considering we were unsure if she would even be able to conceive.

“Yeah, blow dem out, Daisy!” Our five-year-old son, Cash, shouts from the chair in front of me as he squirms on my mother’s lap. He’s wearing the cop costume she bought for him so he wouldn’t feel left out.

I smirk at the hat covering half his face. Where Daisy Mae looks just like Liv, Cash is all me.

Actually, he looks a lot like my father.

The yard is filled with our closest friends and family as we celebrate our daughter’s birthday. Her best friend Maya, Tania and Jay’s daughter, sits next to her, eagerly awaiting the big moment.

“You make sure you blow them all out now. If you leave any lit and we find out you have any boyfriends, your dad might have a heart attack,” Terrell says, teasing Daisy Mae with the ridiculous superstition.

I grunt while his wife, Becky, elbows him in the ribs, but not as hard as I would have.

The bastard.

“Uncle T, Mama’s right. You cray, cray,” Maya shouts, laughter rippling across the table in response to her sassy attitude.

Except Terrell.

He glares at Tania. “Why are you fillin’ your daughter’s head full of lies? We all know who the crazy one is, Tan.”