Page 59 of A Soldier's Destiny
Epilogue
Three months later…
Rori stood out front of the new and improved Prince’s Patisserie, newly rebuilt and ready for the grand re-opening tomorrow. She’d been baking up a storm once they got the final sign-offs on all the inspections. Who knew it was worse to rebuild then start from scratch? Jasper, true to his promise, had been there every step of the way. Even asking Chase to keep him on local jobs if possible.
They’d gotten word a few weeks earlier that Jim’s parents had begged for mercy for their daughter after she was found guilty, pleading with the court that she was mentally unstable. Rori felt sorry for them but the woman was a danger to those around her. So she hadn’t been upset at all when Cynthia Marshall was sentenced to ten years in a medical facility for the criminally insane. It was even better that it was in Massachusetts. If she never met the woman it would be too soon as far as she was concerned. Although there were times in the middle of the night when she was cuddled up against Jasper that she realized if it hadn’t been for her they’d never have found each other again.
He’d been working on fixing up her parent’s house in his free time. They figured they’d keep it for when they had a family someday. He hadn’t proposed yet, but Rori and Lily had a little side bet going that it would be soon.
“It looks perfect, Rori. You and Jasper did a great job.”
“For a while there I didn’t think we’d ever reopen.”
“I knew it would work out.”
“I know, that’s what you kept telling me.”
“I’m glad you kept the name. I was wondering if you’d change it.”
“Jasper and I talked about it, but he said it was my baby and I could call it whatever I wanted. My parents made it possible, so I wanted to keep the name.”
“I hope you baked enough for when you open the doors, I have a feeling you’re going to be packed.”
“I don’t think I could fit anything else in the cases, I even have overflow in the back.”
“What’s Jasper up to?”
“I’m not sure, he was upstairs working on something. Probably getting into more trouble on Petfinder. He’s determined to get a dog.”
“Dogs, houses, new job, I’d say he’s settled in pretty well.”
“I had my doubts in the beginning, but he is a man of his word.”
“Rori?”
“Speaking of the devil.”
Jasper was hanging out of the upstairs window. Lily laughed.
“What’s up?”
“Can you come up here?”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Give me a call later, I’m going to head home. I’m sure Alex and Hunter are ready for a break from Henry and Emma by now.”
“Thanks for your help getting the bakery ready for tomorrow.”
“My pleasure, I hope it means lots of discounts in my future,” Lily said as she waved and headed to her car.
Rori found Jasper sitting at the dining room table. “What’s up, my sexy jack of all trades?”
“I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
“This.” He lifted a single cupcake off the table and handed it to her. It was pitiful and adorable. He’d gotten the consistency of the frosting all wrong, and it dripped down the side. She’d been teaching him how to cook and bake too. It had kept her busy while the bakery was under construction. And he’d taught her other things, like how to make love at least fifty different ways, in positions she’d never believed possible. But mostly he proved his love to her every day.
