30. Epilogue

Epilogue

Susie

“Are you ready, honey?” I glance over to see my dad’s hand with the car door open in front of me. I look behind him to see everyone waiting in the open field where Adam and I married a few months ago.

Today’s ceremony at Lookout Mountain Park is just as beautiful as the first time we were here. The biggest change is the rows of seats set up to accommodate family and friends here to witness Adam and I declare our love to the world.

I glance at my dad’s hand in front of me and meet his gaze. Shiny eyes meet mine, and I’m pretty sure he won’t make it down the aisle without shedding a few tears.

My father is getting his wish and giving me away to the man I never realized I was writing every one of my novels about. The man who sees all of me and loves me more because of it. The man who appreciates my quirky nature and finds them captivating. The man who fell in love with my stories long before he even knew the real me.

The man who makes me feel safe and taken care of.

I am marrying the man I didn’t know my soul longed for until I met him, first as Chase and then as Adam.

“Yes, Daddy.” I place my hand in his and slide out of the car. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

He closes the door behind me and places a kiss on my cheek. “You look beautiful.”

The dress I chose for today is fancier than the one I wore last time but still simple. The modest country A-line V-neck chiffon gown has long, flowy sleeves that taper at the wrists and a low V in the back. From the first moment I saw it, I knew it was for me.

My lips lift at the corner as I realize I had the same feelings about Adam.

Dad puts his elbow out. I push my hand through and rest it on his forearm. Placing his hand on top of mine, he steps to my side, ready to lead me.

It’s the first time I get to see the view in front of me today.

Once again, the mountain landscape is breathtaking, but what makes my breath catch isn’t the landscape but the man standing in a navy blue suit waiting at the front of the aisle. His face is covered with a smile that could light up the darkest night.

Tears burn the back of my eyes, and my heart expands, trying to break free from my chest.

As we reach Adam, my dad squeezes my hand.

“Do you give this woman to this man to be married?” The officiant asks.

“I do,” my dad responds, his voice gruff.

Adam holds his hand out, and my dad places my hand in his outstretched one. “Take care of her, son," my dad whispers.

“Until my last breath,” Adam responds, wrapping my hand in his.

His brown eyes are swirling with emotion, sending shivers down my spine. My heart feels so full it’s ready to burst.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a dog sitting beside Adam. He’s black and white with pricked ears and dark brown eyes that watch with an attentiveness I’ve never seen before. His chest is whitish-grey and speckled with black freckles. His face has the same markings from his nose to his forehead, and both eyes have a black mask.

“Who’s your little friend?” I whisper to Adam. Tilting my head toward the dog.

Adam’s eyebrows pull together as he glances at the dog beside him. “I don’t know.”

I turn around, facing all of our guests. “Did anyone lose a dog?”

Surprised expressions look around at each other and then at the dog, who has now made its way next to the officiant. He sits beside him and looks from me to Adam as if saying. “I’m here and ready. Let’s get this party started.”

“Are you allergic to dogs?” Adam whispers, his voice carrying humor in it. I gaze into his eyes and see them dancing.

I shake my head. “I’m not. Why?”

“Because I think we just got adopted.” He chuckles. We both look at the dog, his mouth wide in what appears to be a smile, and he winks at us.

“Did you see that?” I gasp just as Adam lets out a belly laugh.

“Yes, I did,” he responds. “Looks like we may have a new member of the Daniels family.”

The officiant looks down as the pup places his paw on his leg and holds it there.

“Looks like someone is ready to begin,” he says loudly, and laughter rings throughout the crowd. “How about the two of you? Are you ready to get started?”

“Yes,” Adam and I say; at the same time, our new friend lets out a bark. Causing another round of laughter.

“Since we have that settled, let’s get you two married…again.”

Our first wedding was perfect, but having family and friends celebrate with us this time made everything feel complete.

We decided on a simple buffet-style dinner in an outdoor canopy tent for the reception. Six tables were set up in a horseshoe shape, with a small dance floor in the center.

Adam and I were happy having an intimate dinner celebration, but my father was not having any of that. He was resolute in needing a father/daughter dance, and I am grateful he was.

We spent some time checking in with people around Lookout Mountain Park to see if anyone had lost a dog, but we came up empty. Finally, we called the police to report the missing pup and told them we would be taking him home with us, but we left a number for the owners to call.

The entire night, he has been walking around with Adam and me, greeting everyone as if he’s been a member of the family forever.

Adam’s arms are wrapped around me, holding me close as we sway to the music. I’ve been staring at the little black and white pup sitting on the outskirts of the dance floor, watching us with his mouth happily hanging open. His keen brown eyes look as if they don’t miss anything.

“Have you ever heard of something like this happening?” I glance up at my husband, who’s watching the dog, smiling.

“Never.” He shakes his head.

“It felt like he knew exactly who we were, right? Like he belongs with us,” I say in awe. “Do I sound crazy?”

Adam turns his face to me and lets his eyes roam over every feature of my face. “If you had asked me that question six months ago, I would’ve given you a resounding yes.” He runs a finger along my chin; the heat in his eyes sends warmth through my body.

“I thought my life was over when I was traded to the Mavericks, but it turns out a twist of fate led me here. To you.” His brown eyes are filled with adoration as he looks at me. He gently pushes a strand of hair behind my ear before he leans in to kiss me.

His lips on mine are full of love and promises of a future filled with joy and happiness.

The room fills with laughter. Adam and I look around to see everyone staring at our feet. We both look down to discover the dog looking up at us with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

“Hello?” Adam says, answering his phone. “Can you hold on one second, I’d like to put you on speaker so my wife can hear.”

“Sure,” the voice on the line says.

“Jade, would you mind starting from the beginning?” Adam beams at me.

“My name is Jade, and I’m calling from the Mile High Mutts Rescue.” I glance down at the dog at our feet. His eyes are bright as he listens to Jade. “It sounds like you’ve found our escape artist. He has run from the shelter more times than we can count. Normally, he comes back after he’s been on one of his adventures. Today, it seems like you were his adventure.”

My eyes widen, and I cover my mouth. Laughter bubbling up.

“He’s looking for a home,” Jade continues. “But we can’t guarantee that he won’t run if you adopt him.”

“What’s his name?” I ask, already knowing this four-legger will be coming home with us.

“With his many homes, he’s had a few of them,” she tells us. My heart breaks a bit for the life it seems this little man has had before finding us. “But there is one that he seems to respond to best.”

“Which one is that?” Adam asks.

“Ryder,” she says, and right before my eyes, he snaps to attention. His mouth closes, and he tilts his head.

“Ryder, huh?” Ryder turns his perceptive eyes on me, and I find myself smiling.

I turn to Adam and see him watching Ryder with the same expression. His gaze slides to mine, and I nod at the question he’s silently asking.

“What time are you open till? My wife and I want to adopt Ryder since he’s already adopted us.”

“Wow! Really?” Jade says excitedly. “Where are you? I’d happily bring over the adoption papers for you to sign tonight.”

A grin stretches my face as Adam gives Jade our location. I bend down, and Ryder happily moves his body against mine for some love. I laugh as he gives me some sloppy kisses.

“Looks like you're coming home with us, Ryder. What do you think about that?”

Ryder lets out a yodel that has the entire room laughing.

“I guess that’s a yes,” Adam says, eyes twinkling. “I love you, Suzanne Amelia Daniels.”

“I love you too.” He cups one of my cheeks and presses his lips to mine.

A pair of paws land on my knees, and a tongue starts licking our faces. Laughter falls from my lips.

“We love you too, Ryder.”

The End.

If you loved Accidentally Falling For My Fake Wife then you'll love Josh and Brie's story, Accidentally In Love With My Best Friend's Brother , in book one of the Accidentally In Sports Serie s .

Read chapter one on the very next page!