Second Epilogue

Ridge–four years later

The observatory is quiet except for the hum of the equipment and the soft gurgles of our newborn tucked snugly in Quinn’s arms. The night sky stretches endlessly above us, a blanket of stars so bright it feels like they’re trying to tell us something. Maybe they always have been.

I adjust the telescope, fine-tuning the lens to capture the new constellation Quinn and I have been mapping for weeks. “It’s clear tonight,” I say, my voice low, not wanting to disturb the quiet magic of this moment. “Best view we’ve had all month.”

Quinn looks up from our baby, Jack, her smile illuminated by the glow of the monitors. “It’s perfect. The universe knew we’d be here tonight.”

I can’t help but grin at her words. “Getting cosmic on me again, Stevens?”

“Always.” She leans back in her chair, shifting our newborn gently. The sight of her—hair loose, eyes soft, a tiny human cradled against her chest—does something to me I’ll never get used to. She’s my entire world, my galaxy wrapped up in one fiery, brilliant woman.

Across the room, our toddler, a miniature version of Quinn with my stubborn streak, sits on a blanket surrounded by toy planets and wooden rockets. He babbles happily to himself, spinning Saturn’s rings with chubby fingers.

“Blaze,” I call out, and his head snaps up, wide eyes meeting mine. “You keeping an eye on Jupiter for me?”

“Ju-puh!” he chirps, holding up the wooden planet like it’s his greatest discovery.

“That’s my boy.” My chest tightens with pride as I glance at Quinn. “Kid’s got a future in astronomy.”

She laughs, the sound warm and familiar, like home. “Or maybe demolition, the way he launches those planets across the room.”

Blaze giggles at her words, as if understanding he’s the star of the show. He sets Jupiter down with surprising care and toddles over to me, arms outstretched. I scoop him up, settling him on my hip as he babbles excitedly about the “big stars” outside.

“They’re always watching, aren’t they?” Quinn says softly, her gaze drifting upward. “I like to think the stars knew we’d find each other.”

I set Blaze down on the counter next to me, keeping a hand on him as I study Quinn. “You think the universe wrote our story?”

Her eyes meet mine, and even after all this time, the intensity in them still hits me like a punch to the chest. “I think it had a bigger plan for us than we ever could’ve imagined.”

I lean back, crossing my arms, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Pretty sure the universe didn’t have ‘mail-order bride ad’ in its master plan.”

She laughs, the sound filling the room and warming the cool night air. “Hey, that ad brought you more than a bride.”

“Yeah?” I step closer, my voice dropping. “What else did it bring me?”

Her smile softens, her gaze locking onto mine. “The life, love, and family you didn’t know you needed.”

Damn if she isn’t right. “Touché, Stevens.”

I slide my hand over hers, my thumb brushing against her wedding band. It still amazes me, this life we’ve built together. The observatory, the kids, the nights spent under the stars—it’s all more than I ever dreamed of, back when I thought my world ended with Devil’s Peak.

“Do you ever think about how far we’ve come?” I ask, my voice quieter now.

Her fingers tighten around mine. “Every day. From that ridiculous ad to now... it feels like fate.”

“Fate’s got nothing on us.” I lean in, pressing a kiss to her temple. “We made this happen. You and me.”

Blaze tugs on my sleeve, his little face scrunched in concentration as he points out the window. “Dada, moon!”

“That’s right, buddy. The moon’s out tonight.” I lift him higher so he can see better, his tiny hands gripping my shoulders as he stares in awe.

Quinn watches us, her expression soft. “He’s got your love for the stars.”

“And your determination,” I add, setting Blaze back down on his blanket. “Kid’s unstoppable.”

She stands, crossing the room to join me. With the baby nestled against her chest and Blaze playing at her feet, she looks like the queen of her own galaxy. My galaxy.

“I’m glad you didn’t kick me off this mountain,” she says, her tone teasing but her eyes serious.

“I tried,” I remind her with a grin. “You’re just too damn stubborn.”

“Takes one to know one.” She leans into me, her free hand resting against my chest. “Admit it. You knew from the start we were meant to be.”

I tilt my head, pretending to think. “Hmm. Maybe after that avalanche. Or was it when you smoked me on the slopes?”

Her laugh is light, but her gaze darkens with something deeper. “No, it was before that. When you opened the door and saw me standing there.”

“Quinn...” My voice drops, and the teasing disappears, replaced by something rawer. “You changed everything.”

She reaches up, brushing her fingers against my jaw. “And you gave me everything.”

The space between us vanishes as I pull her closer, careful not to disturb the baby. Her lips meet mine, soft and warm, and for a moment, it’s just us—two people who found love where they least expected it.

Blaze’s delighted squeal breaks the spell, and we both laugh, pulling apart. He’s holding two planets in his hands, waving them around like they’re his new favorite toys.

“Looks like someone’s got big plans for the universe,” Quinn says, her voice full of affection.

“Just like his mom,” I reply, brushing a kiss against her forehead. “Always reaching for the stars.”

Later that night, with the kids finally asleep and the observatory quiet, Quinn and I sit side by side, the telescope aimed at the constellation we named together. Her head rests on my shoulder, her hand laced with mine.

“You know,” she murmurs, her voice soft in the stillness, “we should map this one for Blaze. Make it his first star chart.”

“Good idea,” I say, turning to press a kiss to her hair. “And one for little Jack, too.”

She smiles, her eyes shining with emotion. “Jack Steven Warner. They’ll both have their own constellations.”

I tighten my grip on her hand. “Our kids are going to grow up knowing the sky belongs to them.”

“And to us,” she adds, her gaze lifting to the stars. “Because no matter what happens, we’ll always have this.”

I follow her gaze, the endless expanse of stars stretching out above us. It feels like a promise, a reminder of everything we’ve built and everything still waiting for us.

“Quinn,” I say, my voice low but steady. “Thank you for answering that ad.”

Her laughter is soft, her smile teasing. “Thank Zane. He’s the one who started it all.”

“Still,” I say, pulling her closer. “You could’ve walked away. But you didn’t.”

“Neither did you,” she counters, her eyes locking onto mine. “And look where it got us.”

I can’t argue with that. So instead, I kiss her, pouring every ounce of gratitude and love I have into the moment. She’s right—this was written in the stars long before we knew it.

And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to her.

THE END

Read Grady’s opposites attract, age-gap love story in The Lumberjack’s Bride (The Mountain Man’s Mail-Order-Bride Series) here.

Get caught up with Zane and the other Warner brothers in the Rugged Hearts Series with the boxset (#1-4) available now and don’t forget to download your steamy free read from me here.