Page 65 of Holiday Cheese and Capers
“Thank you,” Exandra said.
“For what?”
“For not giving up on us. For being brave enough to face your fears in that canyon. For ninety years of patience and love, even when I was too blind to see it.”
“Thank you,” Bayard countered, “for being strong enough to let go of guilt. For taking a chance on something new. For loving me despite everything.”
“Not despite everything,” Exandra corrected. “Because of everything.”
Their lips pressed together, soft and sure, as the snow fell around them.
Inside,Minerva and Zephyr stood near the Yule tree, watching the various conversations around them.
“We should make this a tradition,” Zephyr said. “Yule cruises. Something to look forward to every year.”
“I’d like that,” Minerva agreed. “Though hopefully with less sabotage and deception.”
“I don’t know,” Zephyr said, grinning. “Worked out pretty well this time.”
“Except we completely forgot about the cheese forks.” Minerva sighed.
“That’s because you were far more focused on a different hobby.” Zephyr’s eyes twinkled.
They watched as Bayard and Exandra slipped away toward the deck, seeking a moment alone. Brother Tomasso was having an animated discussion with the other cheesemakers about collaboration and innovation. Philippe and Blythe were tucked in a corner, completely absorbed in each other. And Jasper and Wren danced slowly near the windows.
“We did good work, though,” Minerva said.
“We did,” Zephyr agreed. “Though I think they did most of it themselves, in the end.”
“They just needed a push.”
“Several pushes.”
“And a fake escape room.”
“And a canyon.”
They both laughed.
“I’m looking forward to going home,” Minerva said. “To Primrose Court and the Squeaky Wheel. To our fromagerie and our community. I can’t wait to share all these cheeses and traditions with everyone.”
“And to tell everyone the story of how two more stubborn people finally found their way back to each other,” Zephyr added.
“That, too.”
Suddenly, Fred waddled up to where Minerva and Zephyr stood together. He looked up at them, tilted his head, and quacked once—a sound of profound vindication.
“You’re so right, Fred,” Minerva said, reaching down to scratch his head. “And it all worked out in the end.”
The duck quacked again, agreeing, before waddling off to shadow someone who might drop cracker crumbs.
Zephyr pulled Minerva close, and they danced slowly in the warm glow of the Yule tree, surrounded by good food, good friends, and the magic of the season.
When the partyended and the last passenger was tucked into bed,The Celestine Queensailed on through the snowy night, carrying its cargo of happy couples and good cheese and new beginnings. Above, the stars shone bright. Below, the water reflected the lights of the ship like scattered diamonds.
And somewhere in the night, carrying on the wind, you could hear the distant sound of a call duck’s satisfied quack.
The End
