The B Girls

Independence Day





One year later on July 4th, Lucy, Jane, Mae, and Belle stood at the entrance to a newly remodeled display room at the National Archives listening to various bureaucrats and politicians sing the praises of their generosity in returning the final draft of the Declaration to the people of the United States instead of putting it up for auction.

Finally, Lucy got the signal to step forward with the ceremonial gold scissors and cut the ceremonial red, white and blue ribbon to officially open the Belle Morris Room housing the display of the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

Belle beamed as the ribbon fell and the first visitors stepped into the room. She'd made her initiation into the B Girls official by visiting Spike's Tattoos two days after leaving the hospital.

Lucy scanned the crowd, eyes zeroing in on Ryan.

He winked and smiled at her and she knew all was finally right in her world.

The past year had been hard, but after facing down her worst fears in Lover's Cavern, facing down Gary in court had been a piece of cake. The big jackass found out about the money she'd be coming into and tried to change the settlement before the divorce was final.

Gary's attempt to take a portion of the money the B Girls realized from the sale of the Dunlap Broadside had been harder on Ryan than Lucy. Ryan had been especially upset when his father refused to back down on his demands even after Ryan made his feelings known.

Gary lost his bid for the money and his son's respect.

Lucy kept both as well as the knowledge that her future was a wonderful adventure just waiting for her.

She could hardly wait to see what was going to happen next.