Epilogue

Gabe

One Week Later

With Christmas so close, Mira and I are busier than ever getting the farm ready for the eclipse party. So far, she’s hired a western band from Mullet’s bar, the diner is catering, and Josie’s bakery is supplying all the sweet treats. I know my plum’s gone crazy with décor too, so tonight is about helping her relax and making up for the way things went in the barn during that snowstorm. She says she’s fine with it all, but I want more for her. Besides, tonight is a special night.

I light the last candle next to the bed and turn on some country music in the background. The lamps are off, but the dim light from the candles creates the ambiance I’m looking for.

“Okay, you can come in,” I holler out into the living room where Mira’s been working on Christmas cards. Despite the fact that we’re swamped with life right now, she insists on sending everyone a handwritten card. I find things out every day that make me love her more. The part where she’s been baking loaves of banana bread to make sure she has the recipe perfect for Chevy. The part where she volunteered what little time she has left to help wrap gifts at the church. The part where she still found the energy to make me dinner every night this week.

She steps lightly down the hall and turns the corner with wide eyes as she sees the space I’ve set up for her. “Oh my God! What did you do?”

“I wanted you to have a night to remember. One that’s not in a barn with wind whipping through the cracks.”

Mira grins and buries her head against my chest. “I love that memory. What are you talking about?”

“Well, I’d have liked your first time to be special, something you can look back on and smile about.”

She tips her head up and grins. “Gabe! I love you, and I smile about you bending me over in that barn like every ten minutes. I even have dreams about it. You were so possessive and dominant. I loved it! And… I love this too. You went to so much trouble.”

I brush a strand of hair away from her face and bend to the floor slowly, staring up at her as I gather myself to one knee and pull the ring I bought this afternoon out of my pocket.

Mira’s gaze widens, and she cups her hand over her open mouth. “Oh my God! Gabe!”

I open the box, presenting a vintage platinum band with an emerald-cut diamond in the center. “Mira, I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I’ve watched you grow and struggle. I’ve watched you thrive and succeed. And with every passing moment, I longed for you in a way I’ve never longed for anyone. You’re smart, sweet, beautiful, and you work hard every day to be the best version of yourself. I admire that. I admire you. ” I hold her hand in mine and pull the ring from the box. “I know our relationship is only getting started, but there’s nothing in this world that I want more than you standing next to me. Mira, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”

Tears roll down her cheeks as she nods her head quickly. “Yes. Yes, Gabe, I’ll marry you!”

I slide the ring onto her finger and stand as she crashes against my chest, holding me tightly as she cries what I assume are tears of happiness.

“We should have a winter wedding! Cranberry wreaths and pine boughs! We can do it in the balsam forest after Christmas. We can string white lights and hire someone to play guitar while I walk toward you.” Excitement floods her voice as she talks about the wedding. “We can stay here for our honeymoon and maybe rent that nice cabin up at the lake. The one with the big balcony that wraps around the house.”

“The lake is frozen this time of year. You wouldn’t rather go somewhere warm?”

“Not really. I just want to cozy up with you next to a fire and forget the rest of the world.”

I’m not sure I could get any happier. “That sounds good as long as you let me fill you up with babies afterward.”

“So many babies,” she grins. “We could even get started early on that one. I mean, what harm could that do?”

My phone buzzes in my back pocket but I want to ignore everything right now.

“Who is it?”

I lean into her lips. “Don’t know, don’t care.”

“What if something happened with Emma? She wasn’t feeling great last night when I stopped by to check on her.”

I nod and pull my phone from my back pocket, noticing Nick’s number buzzing through.

Shit.

I don’t want to deal with this right now. I want to disappear with Mira and stay hidden until after the eclipse party.

“I should answer, just in case something is up with Emma.” If it were me alone, I’d have let it go to voicemail. Nick has been pissy with me ever since I pulled the favor card on him. He rolled the tractor and broke his leg last summer. I was gracious enough not only to keep that stupid mistake a secret, but I also took care of his ass for months while he healed. He owes me and he hates that. I slide the call to accept and put the phone on speaker. “Hey, brother. What’s up?”

“This is hell. You know that, right? This Emma girl wears practically nothing around the house and she’s—”

“I don’t have time for this right now. Is there an emergency of some sort?”

“This is a fucking emergency, man. I’m lusting after a twenty-two-year-old. She’s barely—”

“I’ll catch up with you later, man. I’m in the middle of something.” I disconnect the line before he can dig himself any deeper a hole.

“Oh my God! This is Emma’s dream!” Mira grins and tugs me closer again. “Apparently, she has a thing for Nick. He should go for it.”

I laugh. “Yeah, well, that’ll be the day. That man is allergic to human beings. It’ll be fun to watch him squirm, though.” I pull the strap of her nightgown down off her shoulder. “Anyway, where were we?”

She tips up onto her toes and lands a wet kiss on my lips before unlatching the button of my jeans. “I think we were right here.”

Leaning in, I growl low against her ear. “Good little girl. Let’s get started on those babies.”

THANKS FOR READING.

READ EMMA’S STORY HERE.