Epilogue

Dot

Five Years Later

I was born on Rugged Mountain twenty-seven years ago. I've seen seasons come and go and I've watched the lives of people change and evolve. People say small towns are lame, but I beg to differ. When I wake up in the morning, I know that I can count on just about everyone here for anything.

If my car breaks down, I can call Levi from the repair shop who'll take a personal interest in getting me towed. If I tried box dye and my hair looks insane, I can call Emma down at the salon and she'll make room to get me in. If I forget to bake a cake for my daughter's birthday, I can call Josie at the bakery, and she'll whip me up something special at the last minute. She might even let me take credit. Most of all, if I need a friend, there's no shortage of people I can call.

I pull out my phone and dial Hank, my very best friend. We've been married for four and a half years now, and I know I can count on him for anything, including a helping hand when the gate is locked and I've forgotten my key.

"Hey, baby. What's up?" His tone is deep and soothing.

"The latch isn't working on the gate again. Can you send help? I've got both kids in the back seat crying for crackers and I still have to record today's report."

"Yeah, on my way. Love you." He never hangs up without saying I love you. Even if we're across the room, he always says it.

"Love you, too." I turn up the music and sing along, hoping the kids will find entertainment in their mother being ridiculous.

They don't. Cody is throwing coloring books at his sister and she's tossing back crayons. I don't think they mean it violently, but it certainly looks violent from up here.

Thankfully, Hank is close. I see his truck in the distance.

"Look, there's Daddy!"

Dee squeals. She's three and a total Daddy's girl. "Yay! I'm going to the barn with Daddy."

"No, I'm going!" Cody is four, and he's also gaga for Daddy. Apparently, we can't all love Daddy at once. It's a competition to see who gets to him first.

Hank parks beside me and opens the gate before meeting us at the SUV. He greets me first with a soft kiss on the lips. "I missed you today." We've only been apart for a few hours. I spend most days down at the barn with him working or helping clean the guest house. It's a nice reprieve between meeting with locals to film stories. "Are you going to Evergreen's?"

I nod. "Yeah, they're having some reindeer delivered. I'm doing a side story on the farm to help with promotion. Then… I have my major news report to do live."

I film everything from a room Hank built for me in the back. I hired a cameraman and my own editor. Everything else has fallen into place and I'm currently making bigger waves than I'd ever have made in Seattle. Major news networks have reported on me and this unique idea that Hank had. Not only that, but I've gotten a few spots on some talk shows in New York. People have a lot of questions about life on Rugged Mountain.

Funny thing is, that's not the best part of my life. The best part of my life is that man unbuckling his kids in the backseat. Of course, the kids are the best part too, but Hank is mine. The kids will grow up and they'll find love of their own. They'll build a life. Hank and I will be together forever.

We promised each other on our wedding day that we'd make one another a priority. It's an easy thing to say but when you're running a therapy center, a news station, helping out at a security firm, and a family, life gets really busy.

The kids run off into the field toward the barn and Hank leans against the truck, his biceps flexing as he stares at me with the bluest eyes. "You're gorgeous. Do you know that?"

I bite back a smile. I still get nervous when he talks to me, even five years later. We've married right here on the ranch. We've had kids right here on the ranch. We've loved right here on this ranch, but still, I get nervous as hell when he kisses me.

"I love you."

"I love you too, baby. I've got the kids and this dinner stuff. You go and be a star."

"Please… I'm not a star."

"Yes, you are. Everyone loves you." He leans in and pulls the keys from the SUV before helping me from the vehicle. "You're beautiful, everyone loves you, and when the kids are in bed tonight, I have something for you."

I laugh. "Is that right?"

"Yeah. I think you'll like it, too."

"Wow. I have a feeling I know what it is."

He grins and leans in, scraping his teeth against my shoulder as I squirm against his touch. "Get to work. I love you." He smacks my ass as I walk toward the house.

"I love you more."

"Love you most," he hollers out as he calls for the kids to jump up into his work truck.

Seattle was fine. There were big buildings, loads of artists, and food I'd never tasted before. There was a spark of life and an energy that fueled me in ways I'd always dreamed.

But here, between the stones and the boulders of this Rugged Mountain landscape, I found a home with a crazy man who spied on me through security footage. I'm not sure if that's everyone's cup of tea, but I know for a fact, it's mine.

THANK YOU FOR READING.