Her entire body shook. “No, I tried. We left this place a long time ago. I don’t belong here.”
“You do, Anna. Just look around you.” He kissed the back of her head and nudged her closer to the edge of the building. Below stood dozens of people holding candles―Cynthia, Andrew and Mitch at the front, surrounded by Cathy, her husband, and several others she recognized from around town and from Creekside. “These are your town family. I’m your family.”
Anna broke down, tears streaming down her face. “If it’s what you want, it’s yours. This building will be declared a historic site, so the university can’t tear it down. I’ll keep my job, and we’ll raise our family here, in Riverbend. If it’s what you want. If that is your wish.” Liam spun her around to face him. “Tell me it’s what you want.”
Anna choked on her words, the salty tears streaming to her lips and she forced the words she’d long to say for so long. “Yes.”
“Tell me your wish, Anna. Say it to me.”
She saw the love in Liam’s eyes, his willingness to stay by her side and make her happy, the ability to remain strong in the face of anything that came his way. He wasn’t his uncle, and she wasn’t her mother. They had a chance, and she wouldn’t waste it like they had. “In all my wishes. In all my years. In all my dreams. In all my life, I’ve only ever wished for you.”
He claimed her lips and she melted into him with the promise of all their wishes and dreams coming true.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Seven Months Later
Liam and Dalton finished hanging the crystal chandelier in the center of the parlor. Light reflected off each prism and danced around the walls. Anna watched the sparkle in awe. Andrew’s violin music echoed from upstairs, making the old building feel like an eloquent dance hall. “He’s doing well, isn’t he?” Anna loved the way the music made the building so warm and inviting.
Cynthia continued brushing paint onto the back wall. “Yes, he’s defied the odds.”
Liam stepped down from the ladder. “I told you that little man was born to be awesome.”
Mitchem turned on his heels, dripping paint off his brush onto the plastic drop-cloth. “Don’t say things like that around him. He’s getting a big enough ego as it is. Ever since he made the Riverbend University Youth Orchestra he’s been impossible to live with.”
Cynthia tossed paint from her brush at Mitchem. “You stop picking on him. He’s a good boy.”
Mitchem jumped out of the way, but dots of periwinkle splattered on his face.
“Okay, you two. No playing around. There isn’t much more time to get this place ready. I can’t believe the grand opening is in two weeks.” Anna held her hand to her chest, catching a glimpse of the diamond ring on her left ring finger. With one glance at her fiancé, her nerves calmed. “I still can’t believe my mother is coming for the opening. I’m not sure what you said to her, Liam.”
“Not much. I mentioned that it was time to move forward with our lives. Oh, and I might have mentioned that we’d never bring her grandkids to visit her in Florida if she didn’t come to your opening.”
Anna gasped. “Liam, you didn’t.”
“Oh, yes, I did. I think it’s time for my uncle and your mother to grow up.”
Liam chuckled. “He’s made some amazing deals for me in the past, but this one is beyond even what I thought he could do. Apparently he is a shrewd negotiator.”
“Do you think we’ll ever know the truth about what happened? I’m not going to waste any more of my life on the past, but it would be nice to know why my mother told me my father was dead, but your uncle said he was still a threat.”
Liam shrugged and handed Dalton some pliers. “Don’t know. Don’t care. If your father wished you harm, he would’ve shown up here long before now.”
Dalton hung the new sign that read In All My Wishes over the door.
She hugged herself, not able to believe in such happiness.
Dalton tossed the pliers into his tool box. “We’re all set here. I must say you have excellent taste. I’m excited you were willing to save so much of the original plaster and floors. And that roof garden is beautiful.”
“Thanks. I figured I could have meetings up there, or book parties. This place really came together. Thanks, Dalton. I appreciate all you did. I hope Sara isn’t too mad you’ve been gone so much.”
“Nope. She’s looking forward to that free outfit you promised her.” He gathered his tools with a laugh and waved goodbye on his way out the door.
Liam opened his arms and Anna tucked into his side. “You’re amazing. Thank you for all of this. I never believed Riverbend could be my home.”
Cynthia set her paint brush down and took Mitchem’s hand. “The town motto doesn’t lie.”
Anna nodded her agreement. “Where dreams begin, just around the Riverbend.”
The End
To continue your journey in Riverbend, download In All My Years.
Other works by Ciara Knight:
SWEET CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
In reading order:
Sweetwater County Series
Winter in Sweetwater County
Summer in Sweetwater County
Fall in Sweetwater County
Christmas in Sweetwater County
Valentines in Sweetwater County
Fourth of July in Sweetwater County
Thanksgiving in Sweetwater County
Riverbend Series:
Riverbend (Prequel)
In All My Wishes
In All My Years
In All My Dreams
In All My Life
YOUNG ADULT PARANORMAL:
Battle for Souls Series
Rise From Darkness
Fall From Grace
Ascension of Evil
The Neumarian Chronicles
Escapement
Pendulum
Balance
HIGH FANTASY ADULT:
The Shrouded Kingdoms
The Curse of Gremdon
The Secrets of Dargon
The Runes of Bramon
HISTORICAL WESTERN ROMANCE
A Prospectors Novel
Fools Rush
An American-Bride series:
Adelaide: Bride of Maryland