His words ended in a gasp as the line went taut, arching the rod and almost pulling it out of Allison’s hands. “Hang on!” he yelled. “This one’s a real lunker. Careful, now, keep the line tight or you’ll lose him! Liam, get the net! Have it ready!”

His hands covered Allison’s to help her as the big bass cleared the water. Seconds later the fish was in the net. Burke used the club to give it a merciful end. “I’d guesstimate he’s about a nine-pounder. There’s supper, folks.”

Allison looked slightly dazed. “Are you all right?” Liam asked her.

“I think I need to sit down,” she said, sinking onto a seat.

Everyone laughed, including Brianna. Her mother would have loved this, she thought.

Brianna had never been sure about the afterlife, but something told her that if her mother’s spirit were here, she would be laughing along with them—her favorite people and the loved ones they’d found—all of them happy, as Kate would have wanted them to be.

EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

Eighteen months later

“How about unzipping me?” Allison turned her back to her husband, who’d just tossed his tux jacket on a chair. They’d just come home from hosting a big charity event at the American Heartland.

The renovated theater was a true showplace now and had become the hottest ticket in Branson. Burke had called in favors and paid top dollar to get stars from places like Nashville and Las Vegas. His gamble was paying off. He’d already set enough aside to make the loan payments for the rest of the year.

A few months ago, the mayor had approached him about hosting an annual charity show and party at the American Heartland. The event tonight had been a grand success and raised an impressive sum of money for worthy causes. But for Allison, the evening had been exhausting. After three hours in high heels, she could no longer feel her feet.

“Heavens, I hope we don’t end up having to do this every year,” she said as the gown loosened around her and fell to the floor.

Burke nuzzled the back of her neck. “Especially not if you’re pregnant again.”

“We agreed that one would be enough,” she said as his hand came to rest on the growing bulge of her belly. “I hope you’re not having second thoughts.”

“Not a one.” Burke unfastened her bra. His hands massaged her tired back and shoulders. “With Brianna living in Springfield and engaged to Liam now, I’ll be needing a new fishing buddy—besides you, of course.”

Allison laughed. “Since I’ve never gotten the hang of casting, I’ll probably just steer the boat.”