CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY - Until We Meet Again

Tom's expression softened, a hint of sadness creeping into his eyes. "We're going to miss you around here, Rebecca. You've become a real part of this community." Rebecca felt a lump form in her throat. "I'm going to miss all of you too," she said softly. "More than I ever expected to." They stood in companionable silence for a moment, watching as the last stragglers made their way out of the fairgrounds. The day had been a resounding success, Rebecca knew. The client was satisfied, the town had come together in a beautiful display of community spirit, and she... well, she had found something she hadn't even known she was looking for. As they began the process of shutting down the fair for the night, Rebecca found herself filled with a bittersweet mixture of pride and sadness. Pride at what they had accomplished, at the joy they had brought to so many people. And sadness that it was coming to an end, that soon she would have to leave this place that had come to mean so much to her.