Whispers of Patience Bonus Epilogue
This is a bonus Epilogue for readers of Whispers Of Patience. It is best read after you’ve finished the entire novel.
Bonus Epilogue
Palmar Island, One Year Later…
Imogene Calloway stood in front of the mirror in her great-aunt’s room, the same room that had once been haunted by memories of the past and the presence of Patience’s ghost. Now, it was filled with warmth, light, and laughter. The lingering specter of old tragedies was long gone, replaced by the promise of new beginnings. And a wedding. Her wedding.
Imogene smoothed her hand over the lace bodice of her white gown, taking a deep breath as she tried to process the emotions swirling inside her. Today was the day she would marry Everett Beauregard—the man who had become her partner in every sense of the word, the man who had stood by her through mysteries, heartache, and everything in between.
“Are you nervous, sweetheart?” came a familiar voice from the doorway.
Imogene turned to see her mother, Eleanor, standing with a soft smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She had arrived two days earlier, along with Imogene’s father, Thomas, and they had spent the last few days reacquainting themselves with the island.
“A little,” Imogene admitted with a laugh. “But in a good way.”
Eleanor stepped inside, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Imogene’s ear. “You look absolutely beautiful. Your great-aunt Imogene would be so proud.”
The mention of her great-aunt stirred a tender ache in Imogene’s chest. She had inherited this house from her namesake, and in the process, she had uncovered the love story of Patience Winthrop, a distant ancestor whose legacy had become intertwined with her own.
“I hope so,” Imogene whispered, glancing at the locket she now wore around her neck. The very locket that had once belonged to Patience, where they had discovered the missing ring. The locket had become a symbol not just of the past, but of the love that had endured through time—love that she had now found with Everett.
“She would be,” said a new voice, light and cheerful.
Imogene’s cousin, Hannah, stepped into the room with an armful of flowers—wildflowers, freshly picked from the fields near the house, tied together in soft hues of lavender and cream. Hannah had arrived early that morning, offering to help with any last-minute preparations. Her energy and excitement were contagious, and Imogene found herself smiling just watching her cousin bounce around the room.
“Here are your flowers,” Hannah said, handing them to Imogene. “I picked the best ones from the garden. They’re perfect for a beach wedding!”
Imogene laughed, taking the bouquet and inhaling its sweet, natural scent. “They’re beautiful, thank you.”
Hannah grinned. “Of course! And don’t worry about a thing—I’ve been coordinating everything outside. The archway looks amazing, and the chairs are all set up facing the ocean. Miss Doris is already out there, mingling with the guests.”
At the mention of Miss Doris, the elderly widow who had become a fixture in the island’s social scene, Imogene’s heart warmed. Miss Doris had been such a key figure in her return to Palmar Island, and it wouldn’t feel right to celebrate today without her.
“Everything’s coming together perfectly,” Eleanor said, stepping back to admire her daughter. “I’m going to go check on your father, make sure he hasn’t misplaced his tie. You know how he is.”
Imogene chuckled as her mother left the room, leaving her alone with her cousin. Hannah’s eyes sparkled with excitement, but there was something else there too—something more serious.
“Imogene,” Hannah said, her voice softening as she stepped closer. “I just want to say… I’m so happy for you. I know you’ve been through a lot, and I know it hasn’t been easy. But you’ve found something real with Everett. You deserve this happiness.”
Imogene blinked back tears, hugging her cousin tightly. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Hannah pulled back with a grin. “Okay, enough of the sentimental stuff. Let’s get you married!”
***
The beach was bathed in the golden hues of late afternoon, the sky a canvas of soft pinks and purples. The ocean waves rolled gently against the shore, providing a rhythmic soundtrack to the celebration. An archway made of driftwood and adorned with wildflowers stood at the edge of the sand, marking the spot where Imogene and Everett would exchange their vows.
Guests were already seated, a blend of familiar faces from the island and friends from Imogene’s life before she had returned. Miss Doris sat proudly in the front row, dressed in her finest, with a wide-brimmed hat that looked slightly out of place on the beach but perfectly suited her style. Beside her were Daniel and Ethan, Everett’s cousins, who had arrived earlier that day with stories of their recent adventures, much to the amusement of everyone at the rehearsal dinner.
And there, standing beneath the arch, was Everett.
Imogene’s heart fluttered at the sight of him. He was dressed in a simple but elegant suit, his dark hair tousled slightly by the ocean breeze, and his eyes… his eyes were locked on her as if she were the only person in the world.
She took a deep breath, her father by her side, and began the walk down the aisle. Each step felt light, as if the years of hesitation, fear, and uncertainty had lifted completely. All that remained was the present and the promise of their future.
When she reached Everett, her father placed her hand in his with a warm smile. Everett squeezed her hand gently, his thumb brushing over her skin as he leaned in slightly.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered.
Imogene felt her cheeks warm, her heart swelling with love for the man standing beside her. “And you look handsome.”
The officiant, a local from the island who had known Everett since childhood, began the ceremony with a few words about love and commitment, but Imogene found herself lost in the moment—in the way Everett looked at her as if she were the center of his universe. It was the same look he had given her when they had first solved Patience’s mystery together—when they realized they were not just connected by history, but by something deeper.
When it came time for their vows, Everett spoke first, his voice steady but full of emotion.
“Imogene,” he began, his eyes never leaving hers, “I’ve loved you for longer than I realized. You’ve always been in my life, in my heart, even when we were apart. When you came back to Palmar Island, I knew something was different. I knew that I didn’t want to let you go again. You’ve shown me what it means to fight for love, to hold on to something worth keeping. And I promise, for the rest of my life, I’ll never stop fighting for us.”
Imogene’s throat tightened as tears blurred her vision, but she smiled through them, her heart overflowing with love.
When it was her turn, she took a deep breath, her fingers still intertwined with Everett’s. “Everett,” she began, her voice soft but sure, “when I came back to Palmar Island, I didn’t know what I was looking for. I thought I was just returning to my roots, to the past. But you… you’ve shown me that the future is what matters most. You’ve stood by me, through the mystery of Patience, through my own fears, and you’ve never given up. I promise to love you, to stand by you, and to choose us every day.”
The moment the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Everett wasted no time pulling her into a deep, tender kiss, the sound of the ocean and the applause of their loved ones filling the air around them.
***
The reception was held back at the house, where lanterns hung from the trees and tables were set up in the garden, illuminated by strings of lights that twinkled as the evening sky deepened. The sound of laughter and music filled the air, and Imogene couldn’t stop smiling as she and Everett danced under the stars.
Hannah and Daniel were deep in conversation with Miss Doris, who was recounting a particularly funny story from her younger years, while Ethan joked with Everett about how he would never live down the day he had to chase a goat across the farm during one of his visits to the island. Imogene’s parents stood nearby, watching their daughter with pride, and every now and then, her mother would dab at her eyes with a tissue.
As the evening wore on and the guests slowly began to depart, Imogene and Everett found themselves standing on the porch, looking out at the sea. The house behind them was filled with the sounds of their friends and family, but for a moment, it felt like it was just the two of them.
Imogene leaned into Everett, resting her head against his shoulder. “I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.”
Everett wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. “Neither could I.”
They stood together in comfortable silence, watching as the last streaks of pink faded from the horizon, replaced by the deep blue of twilight. The gentle hum of the ocean and the soft glow of lanterns in the garden created a serene atmosphere that felt like a reflection of their journey together—quiet, steady, and full of love.
Imogene’s gaze drifted back toward the house, where Miss Doris was holding court with a small group of lingering guests, telling another one of her famous stories. Her parents were nearby, laughing at something Daniel had said while Hannah and Ethan shared a dance under the twinkling lights. It was everything she had ever hoped for, surrounded by the people she loved most, on the island that had come to mean so much to her.
As the music from the reception faded into the background, Imogene sighed with contentment. “Do you remember when I first came back here?” she asked softly, glancing up at Everett.
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Of course. It feels like a lifetime ago.”
“It does.” Imogene’s eyes softened as she thought back to that time—how scared she had been, not just of the ghost of Patience, but of the uncertainty in her own heart. She had been so focused on running away from the past that she hadn’t realized she was running toward her future.
“And now look at us,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “We’ve come a long way.”
Everett’s expression softened as he pulled her closer. “We have. And we’ll keep going—together.”
Imogene smiled, her heart full as she leaned into him. She had found everything she hadn’t even known she was looking for—love, peace, and a sense of belonging. She hadn’t just returned to Palmar Island to uncover the past. She had returned to build her future.
“I never thought I’d end up here,” Imogene said, her voice quiet but filled with contentment. “But I’m so glad I did.”
Everett kissed her temple, his voice low and steady. “So am I.”
They stood together for a few more moments, savoring the peace of the evening, before the sound of footsteps approached from behind.
“There you two are,” came Miss Doris’s cheerful voice. “Sneaking off already?”
Imogene laughed, turning to see Miss Doris approaching with a twinkle in her eye. “We weren’t sneaking off. Just taking a moment.”
Miss Doris waved her hand dismissively. “Well, don’t take too long. There’s still dancing to be done, and I expect you both to join in before the night’s over.”
Everett grinned, glancing at Imogene. “She’s not going to let us escape, is she?”
Imogene smiled. “Would you expect anything less from Miss Doris?”
Miss Doris huffed playfully, but her expression softened as she looked at the two of them. “You two are a beautiful couple, you know that? I’ve seen a lot of love stories unfold on this island, but yours… yours is something special.”
Imogene felt her throat tighten, touched by the sentiment. “Thank you, Miss Doris. That means a lot.”
Miss Doris gave them a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling in the dim light. “You’re part of this island’s history now, you know. And that’s a legacy worth holding onto.”
Everett nodded, his arm tightening around Imogene. “We intend to.”
Miss Doris clapped her hands together, her energy returning. “Well, come on then! Let’s get back to the celebration before the music stops.”
With a final smile, she turned and headed back toward the garden, her laughter carrying on the breeze as she joined the last of the guests.
Imogene and Everett exchanged a look, both of them feeling the weight of her words. They were part of something larger now, a legacy that had begun long before them, but one they would continue to carry forward—together.
“Shall we?” Everett asked, holding out his hand.
Imogene took it, smiling as they walked back toward the glow of the lanterns, the music, and the laughter of their loved ones. As they stepped into the garden, the soft strains of a waltz filled the air, and Everett pulled her into his arms for one last dance under the stars.
With every step, every spin, Imogene felt the fullness of everything they had built together—love, trust, and a future that stretched out before them like the endless sea.
And as they danced, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends, Imogene knew that this was only the beginning.
*** The End ***
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Whispers of Patience and this little Bonus Epilogue. Ready for more? Check out my other Love On Palmar Island novels.
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