Epilogue

SUZIE

Six months later…

I let out a low moan as Jack kneads the base of my foot with his fingers. The beautiful but too tight satin shoes responsible for my aching feet are discarded next to the booth, and Jack sits opposite with my feet in his hands.

"I can't wait to get you home, wife." Jack presses his thumb into the arch of my foot while his fingertips caress my ankle. The look he gives me is all desire and longing, and I wonder how early is acceptable for the bride and groom to leave their own wedding.

"I nabbed you a piece before the kids destroy it." Carrie slides into the booth next to me and hands me a slice of wedding cake. "That's what you get for having a chocolate wedding cake."

I glance across the room of Angie's bar that's been transformed into a wedding venue for the night. Couples sway on the makeshift dance floor to end of night music.

Older kids swarm the cake table while younger kids are asleep in the arms of their parents or have been taken away for the night.

Jack switches to my left foot, and another moan escapes my lips as he gets to work on my toes.

"Eew, save it for the honeymoon." Carrie frowns and stuffs a large forkful of cake into her mouth.

Jack's parents sit in the far corner, rocking the stroller that George has fallen asleep in. His mother has a look of pure love on her face as she watches him sleep. They were delighted to learn they had a grandson, and in the few weeks they've been over, they've gotten to know him and treat him in a way that I know my own mother would have.

I introduced George slowly to Jack, and he proved as good as his word. Taking him to the park to kick a soccer ball around, although he insists on calling it a football, and making up for lost time.

It wasn't until I heard George call Jack Daddy that I finally accepted that Jack was staying around. He wanted to get married immediately, but I insisted on a proper wedding. A girl has to do some things right.

I had offers from all of the guys from Search and Rescue to walk me down the aisle. They've all become like brothers to me, and I asked Alex to do the honors.

We've had an amazing day celebrating with our friends on the mountain. Jack fits right in here and has made friends with the other veterans. He's even thinking about joining the Wild Riders Motorcycle Club.

Jack was nudging me to finish my studies, but I don't need a degree to satisfy my curiosity about the old country.

With Jack around to help with George and the house, I've had the time and energy in the evenings to pursue an idea I had in uni. I've started writing historical romance stories set in ancient England, featuring sword carrying Britons and strong Celtic woman who fight alongside their men.

I enjoy coming up with the stories, and I've sold a few copies of my first book. Maybe one day I might be able to leave my job and write full time.

Not that I need to work. Jack has made that clear. But I love the work at the Search and Rescue center, and I'm not ready to give it up. Although that might change soon.

I rub my belly where the new life is growing. We found out today, and this time Jack was with me when the two pink lines appeared on the test.

I've never seen him so happy. We'll go through it together this time, and he'll be by my side every step of the way.

"So, I've got some news." Carrie sets her plate down on the table, bringing me out of my thoughts. "I've met a man."

I squeal and throw my hands around her, pulling her into a hug.

"Who is he?" Jack growls. He's as protective of my sister as he is of me, and I love that she's got my strong growly husband on her side.

"No one you know." She pulls her phone out of her pocket and swipes through the photos. "I met him online."

She holds out the phone, and I'm presented with a ruggedly handsome man in jeans and no shirt. He holds an axe raised above his head as if about to swing it down on the piece of wood on the block in front of him. The photo's slightly blurry like it's been taken through the trees, but even with the blur, there's no mistaking the firmness of his arms and the muscles in his torso.

"Wow."

Jack growls and grasps a hand protectively around my ankle. "Can you please go and check on George? I've got some serious girl talk to do with my sister."

He looks between us, and I smile sweetly at him. "Then we're going home to consummate this marriage."

Carrie wrinkles her nose up in disgust. "TMI guys. TMI."

Jack saunters away across the room, and I watch his fine ass in the tuxedo. I can't wait to get him out of it when we get home.

"So I'm leaving next week."

I realize I've missed what Carrie is saying. "What? You're going where?"

"To Sweetheart Falls. That's where he lives."

"Hold up. What? Where is that and how did you meet him and why is a man with abs that defined still single?"

"All good questions. Sweetheart Falls is in Montana, I met him online, and he's a widower. His wife died four years ago, and he's bringing up his two daughters alone in the mountains."

I stare at my sister. "You're going all the way to Montana to meet a mountain man? We live in the mountains, Carrie. You want a mountain man, you can find one here."

She gives me a withering look. "There is no man here for me, Suzie. In Hope I'll always be Suzie's little sister, the girl who threw up on the baby Jesus during the Christmas play."

"People still remember that?" I suppress a smile because it was hilarious, but Carrie's sensitive about it.

Carrie had a sore stomach, but Mom thought she was faking it to get out of doing the play. Turns out it was a tummy bug. The town was traumatized by my sister puking over the nativity scene, and by the time Christmas arrived she'd given it to every kid in the church play. She was known as the Girl Who Ruined Christmas for years.

"Yes, they still remember it. On every date I've been on since high school, they bring it up."

I nibble on the piece of cake she bought me. I want Carrie to be happy, but it seems extreme to go all that way for a man she met online.

"So, you're just gonna go and meet this stranger?"

"We've been talking online for a while. I sent him some cupcakes I baked."

I chew my cake and wonder how the hell I missed all of this. Carrie and I have been close since I came back. But since Jack's been here, I haven't needed her for childcare so much. "How did I not know about this?"

"You've been caught up with Jack, and I knew you'd react like this. I wanted to have everything in place before I told you."

"So you're really going to meet him?"

"I'm not going to stay with him, obviously. I've booked an Airbnb."

"But how do you know he's genuine?"

"Oh he's genuine." She smiles smugly, and that makes me think not all their conversations have been about baking.

"I don't know, Carrie. It's a long way to go for a man."

She raises her eyebrows. "Dude, Jack came halfway across the world for you."

She has a point.

"You had your adventure, Suzie. You went off to England, and I stayed behind to take care of Mom. I don't regret it and I don't begrudge you, but it's my turn to leave now."

Carrie takes my hands and looks at me with pleading eyes. "I've lived in Hope all my life. I want to see something outside of my hometown. All my life, I've done the right thing. I stayed for Mom, and then I stayed for you. But you don't need my help with George anymore. I want an adventure, Suzie. I want to see what's out there."

What she's saying makes sense. She deserves to do something for herself.

"Just be safe, let me know where you're staying, and keep in touch at every step."

She smiles and looks relieved, and I realize how much she was worried about telling me. "You have my word."

Carrie turns to her phone, and I scoop up my shoes and go to find Jack. Carrie's adventure is just beginning, but the only adventure I'm going on is one that involves my husband, no clothes, and a bed, although the bed is optional.

I catch Jack's eye across the room, and I can tell by the look on his face that he's thinking the same thing. It's time to go home and show my husband how much I love him.