Epilogue

Herbert the goat kept his attention fixated on Olivia as he munched on hay. The intense stare was getting a little weird, but she was in his territory now.

Sitting in the barn beside Dawson should have been her territory too since it was her family farm, but she was getting creeped out by present company.

She cradled Genella to her chest. "I promise I'm not going to hurt her. She likes me," she told Herbert.

Herbert and Genella had an unexplainable goat-chicken bond, and they looked after each other in strange ways.

"Dawson, Herbert is staring at me again," Olivia said over her shoulder.

Dawson didn't look up from the phone in his hands. "He's harmless. Just worried about his chick."

"Let's go hang out at Cluckingham Palace. I don't think he likes me."

Dawson looked up from his phone and pressed a sweet kiss to Olivia's cheek. "He likes you. He just likes his lady more."

Olivia eyed the protective goat at her feet. "If you say so."

"I think it's ready," Dawson said as he turned the phone so she could see it.

An Instagram Reel played showing Dawson and Herbert as Genella strutted over. Seconds later, Olivia entered the scene, and Dawson stood as his full attention shifted to her. He pulled her into his arms and pressed a quick kiss to her lips just as Betsy bounded to their side. The words on the video read, "The Goat Guy's got a chick (and a dog)!"

"And cue the hate comments," Olivia said.

"Those are few and far between. I bet more people will be happy for us."

"Tell that to Herbert," Olivia said with a jerk of her head toward the goat.

"I think more people are going to be surprised you've befriended a dog than they are about our dating announcement."

Dawson looked around. "Where is she?"

"Hanging out in the sunroom with the hens. She's not a fan of the cold weather."

Dawson pulled up another video and showed Olivia. "I still think we should use this one."

He played the alternate video they'd made last week of him bench pressing her. Olivia rolled her eyes. "You just want to show off your muscles."

"My queen," he corrected. "I want to show off my queen."

Olivia's cheeks heated, despite the early October chill in the air. Dawson hadn't been quiet about their relationship, proudly telling everyone that Olivia had finally given him a chance.

As if she hadn't been as giddy as a schoolgirl about their new relationship too. She'd been getting congratulated by everyone in town for weeks, and it wasn't getting old.

Olivia stood and set Genella on her feet. "Are you sure it's a good idea to make it this public? What if something happens?"

Dawson rose and pocketed his phone. "Nothing is going to happen. There's no way in this world I'd let anything mess this up."

Tracing the lines of her cheek and jaw, Dawson's gaze roamed over her face. Years of love and commitment washed over her. He was right. Nothing could take this happiness from them.

Their love could slip through time. One minute, she was ten and running behind him and her brother on the farm. The next, she was twenty-eight and crashing into his waiting arms where his love swallowed her whole.

Dawson tilted her chin up and lightly brushed his lips against hers, taking his time as he adored her. Seconds later, his kiss turned urgent and eager.

She knew that hunger. The promise of a lifetime of happiness sat waiting before them while the present consumed her, reminding her to bask in every second of his love.

He pulled back and breathed in a contented sigh. "I love you, my queen."

"I love you too, future husband."

The blue in Dawson's eyes darkened. "I know I promised I wouldn't get ahead of myself, but does that mean–"

Olivia pressed a fingertip to his lips. "It means we probably don't need to get engaged when we've only been together a month, but you have me, heart and soul."

Dawson groaned and kissed her again, crushing her body to his as he sealed their futures together.