Epilogue - Lyla

Five years have passed since that fateful day I stumbled upon Russell naked in the lake. So much has changed, yet in the best possible ways.

Our rustic one-room dwelling has expanded into a cozy three-bedroom home with running water and electricity. We even installed Wi-Fi out here in the middle of nowhere.

As I step outside into the cold mountain air, I catch sight of my two favorite guys emerging from the tree line. Russell's tall, powerfully built frame dwarfs the tiny figure of our four-year-old son trotting at his side.

My heart warms at the sight of little Aaron. When I found out I was pregnant all those years ago, and we learned it was a boy, we knew immediately what to name him—honoring the friend whose memory haunted Russell for so long just felt...right.

Aaron spots me first and breaks into an enthusiastic run, little sneakers kicking up dust. He tries valiantly to wrap his short arms around my legs in a hug, scrunching his nose up adorably when he can't quite reach.

"I wanna be big like Daddy!" he declares, pouting.

I laugh, ruffling his unruly mop of chestnut hair.

"You've got plenty of time for that, munchkin. For now, just enjoy being a kid, okay?"

Russell reaches us then, sweeping me into a one-armed embrace and pressing a lingering kiss to my cheek.

"How was the lake?" I ask.

"Cold!" Aaron pipes up immediately with a vigorous nod. "The water was real cold today, Mama."

"Go inside and warm up, sweetie," I tell Aaron with a smile.

"But Daddy said we could go 'sploring!"

I raise an eyebrow at Russell, "Like father, like son, I see."

He chuckles, giving me a one-armed squeeze.

"The kid's a natural. Who knows how he'll take to school and all that."

"Good point," I concede, "We'll just have to wait and see if our little wildling prefers city life or living out here."

"I like the woods!" Aaron shouts.

We both laugh at his vehement preference, which is so reminiscent of how resistant Russell was to civilization at first.

Sometimes, I still can't believe how this became my life—a doting husband, an energetic little boy, and a cozy home in the wilderness.

I even landed a remote copywriting gig that, combined with Russell's military pension and odd jobs hauling supplies, provides us with a comfortable living.

We're actually discussing taking our first big family vacation next year to show Aaron more of the world beyond these mountains.

"Alright, buddy, go get your boots on. We're heading out soon," Russell tells our son.

Aaron scampers off eagerly as I call after them, "Don't be too late for lunch!"

Russell leans in to steal a quick kiss.

"We’ll be home in an hour, my love," he murmurs as Aaron joins him and pulls his sleeve, “I love you, Lyla. Forever.”

"I love you both," I reply with a warm smile, watching my two favorite explorers turn around and quickly vanish into the forest.

Thank you for reading it!

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Series;

Pine Valley

Pine Valley: Rogue Riders MC

Willow Creek

Mountain Men Rescuers

Silvervale Mountain

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