“I was thinking we could build a vacation home here,” Constantine suggested as he scanned the land. “And with your father’s help, restore the distillery to its former glory. We’d need to run things your father’s way, of course. His orders.” He shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. “But why not add Scotch to the Legacy Ridge portfolio?”

As Colin and Lennon wandered off to explore, I leaned closer to Constantine, lowering my voice. “Is this your way of steering our son away from following in your footsteps, hoping he’ll follow in my dad’s instead?”

He raked a hand through his hair, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “Maybe.”

I chuckled softly. “Well, from where I’m standing, those are hero footsteps. Not the worst path to follow.”

Without warning, he scooped me into his arms. I gasped, losing hold of the deed.

“Hey, don’t hurt yourself.”

“Trust me,” he murmured against my lips before gently setting me back down, “I’m as good as new. Better, even.” He motioned for Colin and Lennon to join us, then bent to retrieve the fallen deed.

Colin exchanged a knowing glance with his father before pulling a familiar blue box from his pocket. “One more thing before we go,” Colin announced, his excitement palpable. “Happy birthday, Mom. This sort of brought us together in the first place, so it kind of feels poetic.”

I cupped my mouth, fighting back tears. He was right.

He stole from his father, and this very purchase sent me to his office that day. And now, here we were. Officially full circle, but with a new starting point—as a family.

He opened the box and removed the delicate necklace.

“It’s perfect. Thank you,” I whispered as he fastened it around my neck. My fingers traced the heart-shaped pendant. “I’d love to replace the photo with one of the three of us.”

“Then I guess Dad needs to get me a camera next, so I can take some really nice photos.”

Constantine scoffed. “Your iPhone’s camera is just fine. Don’t press your luck.”

Colin shrugged. “A kid has to try.”

“He’s not wrong,” Lennon said with a laugh, hip-checking Colin.

The two of them exchanged a glance before sprinting toward our rental SUV parked at the edge of the property.

Constantine came before me and intertwined our fingers, his touch warm and reassuring. “Ready for part two of the birthday celebration?”

A drizzle began to fall, and the cool droplets felt good on my flushed skin. “I’m looking forward to it, Mr. Costa.”

“So formal.” He gently touched his nose to mine. “And my last name has also never sounded so damn sexy. I can’t wait for it to be yours and Colin’s.”

* * *