Free Reunion Pass: An Eternity Springs novel by Emily March Page A

in his heart.
    As the group continued toward the Yellow Kitchen, Gabe and Cam talked about the latest shipment of fishing rods to arrive at Refresh, her father’s sporting goods store. Devin regaled the women with a story about a friend who’d decided it was a good idea to adopt a Saint Bernard puppy and keep him in his college dorm room, while the Callahan girls made silly faces at Michael that made him laugh.
    The Yellow Kitchen’s front door opened as they approached, and as arranged, Celeste Blessing stepped outside. She wore a white tunic over a broomstick skirt, and when Lori noticed her earrings, she did a double take. Instead of her customary angel’s wing earrings, gold dog bones dangled from her earlobes.
    “Well, if it isn’t Dr. Murphy!” Celeste said, her delight genuine, the surprise not so much. She held out her arms for a hug. “Congratulations, sweetheart. We are all so proud of you.”
    “Thank you, Celeste.” Lori stepped into the older woman’s embrace and returned the hug with enthusiasm. Without Celeste and the economic turnaround her decision to open Angel’s Rest had brought to Eternity Springs, she honestly didn’t know if she would have managed to complete her undergrad degree, much less vet school. “I couldn’t have done it without all the support from family and friends.”
    “I know that family and friends helped to clear some of the obstacles in your path, but I firmly believe that you would have achieved your dream in any case. You are a determined young woman, Lori Elizabeth. Such a trait is a blessing. It is something you’ll be able to call on throughout your life when circumstances require strength of resolve.”
    Celeste moved to hug first Sarah, then Cam. “Careful there, Mr. Murphy. All that pride filling your chest … if you’re not careful you’ll pop your buttons.”
    “It could happen.” He bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Watching my daughter receive her diploma was one of proudest moments of my life.”
    “As is only right. You know, when I was living in Charleston, my next-door neighbor graduated three children on the same day. A horrible-weather day it was, too. Why—”
    While Celeste held the Murphy family politely captive with her tale, Lori murmured, “Excuse me,” and slipped into the restaurant. She’d wanted to be in position to see her mother’s and Nic’s faces when they entered, and Celeste had been charged with the task of making it happen. Ali met her at the door and handed her a glass of champagne, asking, “So, did we pull off the surprise?”
    “Completely! Oh, Ali, thank you so much.” She gave Ali a quick, hard hug.
    Lori knew that Ali had worked hard to keep the party secret from Sarah and Nic—not an easy feat in a town the size of Eternity Springs, especially when all of their close friends were in on the surprise. But Ali had pulled it off, and as Lori took in the scene—the restaurant filled with dear friends and the banner she’d requested hanging on a wall—joy filled her heart. “I am so blessed.”
    The door opened and Celeste led the guests of honor into the room. Sarah and Nic were chatting with each other, so it took them a moment to notice that this was no ordinary evening at the the Yellow Kitchen.
    Nic’s gaze scanned the crowd—all of whom were staring at her. “What in the … oh!”
    Sarah covered her mouth with her hands as she read the banner. “My dream came true because of you. Thank you, Mom and Nic!”
    A wide smile spread across Cam’s face as his gaze shifted between his wife and daughter. Ali signaled the waiters, who handed champagne to the newcomers and sparkling grape juice to the children. “Oh, Lori,” Sarah said, her voice choked. Tears spilled from her eyes when Lori stepped forward and raised her flute of champagne. She’d been planning what she wanted to say for weeks, but now that the moment was upon her, emotion pushed her speech right out of her mind. So, she spoke