Epilogue

The followingtwo weeks had been a whirlwind, and she still hadn't wrapped her brain around the fact that she was a married woman.

Somehow the O'Haras had pulled off a miraculous feat and put on a wedding out at the ranch. Raven had worked her connections for a dress and lingerie, and Simone had figured out how to feed and serve more than two hundred people.

Zoe had no idea what food had been served, or even what she'd looked like in her wedding gown. All she knew was that it had been perfect. And after it was all said and done, and the "I Dos" were said and the last glass of champagne had been drunk, Colt had carried her out to a horse-drawn sleigh.

Sparklers were lifted high as they rode off to Redemption Road and the cabin that would be their home away from home. And finally, they'd been able to enjoy and explore each other as husband and wife.

There was nothing that could take the contentment from her heart, even when they'd had to go back to the real world after a week away.

It turned out Colt hadn't been kidding about being a planner. He'd been working double time before he'd proposed, hiring a second doctor at the clinic, and arranging for time off so they could have a proper honeymoon over the Christmas break.

When they'd come back from the cabin they'd started moving his things into the condo, incorporating his touches, especially in the kitchen since he was the one who used it. The snow continued to fall, and Chewy had almost forgiven them for leaving him at the farm the week they stayed at the cabin.

But this was their first day back to work, and it had felt good to kiss Colt goodbye at the door and settle into her latest book. Before she knew it, time had slipped away from her and it was almost noon. She'd told Colt she would meet him at the clinic so they could have lunch together.

She put on her boots and heavy coat over her sweats, and then her knit cap, scarf, and gloves and headed out.

"Let's go," she said, opening the door for Chewy. "I know you're just going to roll around in the snow and make a mess of your fur. I'll leave the leash off today so I don't end up down there with you like last time."

Chewy woofed in agreement and they headed out together. They were almost to the clinic when she saw a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye. It wasn't a facial recognition so much as the way he carried himself. As if he was the only person with the right of way and he expected everyone to watch.

Her heart stuttered in her chest and her palms went damp. But he was in her town now. Surrounded by her people. He couldn't intimidate her here with empty threats.

"Todd," she said, before he could open his mouth. "What a surprise seeing you here."

His looks hadn't changed. He was a handsome man. But she saw a cruelty in him now that she'd not seen the first time they'd met.

"Really?" he asked. "I'd have thought you'd be expecting me. Unfortunately, you blocked my number before we could finish our conversation."

"I was finished with our conversation," she said. "And I believe I made it clear that any communication was to go through our attorneys."

There were people on the street who were starting to stare, and she saw Raven come out of her shop out of the corner of her eye. She almost smiled. Todd was in the wrong town.

"What fun is that?" he asked. "A little birdy told me the details of your latest deals. I've decided to sue, of course, for more alimony."

"Which you're free to do," she said. "Through our attorneys. That's why we pay them. I'm not sure if you've figured that out yet."

He looked at her oddly and said, "There's something different about you."

"Thank you," she said, smiling. "That's what freedom looks like. Haven't you found another woman to try and con out of her fortune yet? Or has your reputation become too well known?"

He smiled but his lips were razor thin. "I've got time yet," he said. "There's still plenty to get from you."

"Is there?" she asked, her focus shifting to Colt as he came up behind Todd. She smiled when she saw her husband, confusing Todd even more.

Colt leaned in and kissed her as if Todd weren't even there. "I was wondering where you were. You're never late for lunch."

"Uh-huh," she said, grinning. "And I'm sure you didn't get a phone call either telling you I was out here."

"Word travels fast," he said.

"Who's this?" Todd asked, sneering at Colt.

"My husband," she said. "I'm sorry you wasted my money coming all this way to try and taunt me, but it's just not going to work. This might be hard for you to understand, but you don't matter to me. And I'd pay twice as much again just to be rid of you. You are a horrible horrible man. And your days of running cons on women who are vulnerable are coming to an end."

He took a step forward and she heard Colt growl low in his throat, putting her slightly behind him. She arched a brow and looked at him.

"You can't fool me," Todd said. "You're weak. And stupid. You think this guy isn't in it for the money?"

"I'm pretty sure he's in it for the sex," she said deadpan, making Colt snort with laughter.

"I will wring every last penny I'm owed from you," Todd said, "no matter how long it takes, how many attorneys it takes, and how many trips out here it takes for you to remember that I'm still here."

"Is there a problem here, ma'am?" Blaze O'Hara said, coming up beside Todd and looking down at him. He was wearing his uniform and he resembled Simone in coloring, but he had his father's height.

Her lips twitched when he called her ma'am. "Just a nuisance, Sheriff," she said. "Unfortunately this man doesn't know how to take no for an answer, and decided to come out here and see me in person. I guess blocking someone's number isn't as effective as it used to be."

"It sounds like you've made your wishes known," Blaze said, his gaze dark and penetrating, making Todd bristle with resentment. "Maybe you should stop by and get a restraining order. It's always good to dot your i's and cross your t's when you're dealing with fools who won't take a hint."

"Hey," Todd said. "I don't need a two-bit cop getting in my face."

"Is he really this stupid?" Blaze asked, looking at Zoe.

She sighed. "I'm afraid so. He just doesn't realize it. Because he's drawn quite a crowd and I see several people recording this. Which means by tonight it's going to be all over social media and everyone will know what a lying, cheating thief you are. I'm kind of a big deal, you know?"

"Why you little?—"

Colt stepped in front of her and took the hand Todd had reached out to grab her. She had no idea what Colt had done, but Todd's face went ashen and an inhuman squeak came out of his mouth.

"Are you feeling all right, sir?" Colt asked, putting his hand on Todd's shoulder.

To all the world it looked like Colt had stepped in to give Todd a helping hand, but Todd continued to make strange sounds and his steps faltered.

"Maybe you need to come to the clinic and get checked out," Colt said affably. "I'm a doctor."

Todd shook his head and sweat had started to bead on his upper lip. "N…no. I'm fine. I was just leaving. I have a plane to catch."

"Why don't I have a deputy escort you back to the airport?" Blaze asked. "I'd hate for you to get sick on the way and no one there to help you."

Todd shook his head, but Blaze powered through. "I insist," Blaze said. "We take care of people here in Laurel Valley."

Todd stumbled away, and Zoe saw a deputy peel off from the crowd and follow him back to his car. Simone, Hattie and Raven stood across the way, watching the whole ordeal with several other people. It had been Raven and Hattie who'd been recording the interaction, but she'd noticed they both put their phones down when Colt stepped in. Not like the video would have shown anything. She still didn't have a clue what Colt had done to him.

Blaze sighed and rested his hand on his weapon out of habit. "I'm glad to say you upgraded this time around," he told her.

"Agreed," she said, squeezing Colt's hand.

"But I'm not kidding about coming by the station and getting a restraining order. A paperwork trail always helps. And it's something you can send to your attorneys along with the text messages. If that guy knows what's good for him he'll leave well enough alone."

"We'll swing by after lunch," Colt told him. "Thanks for the backup."

Blaze snorted. "Are you kidding me? As soon as that guy jaywalked across the street toward Zoe my phone started ringing. In this case the O'Hara gossip network did some good. But don't tell my mother I said that. The woman is incorrigible."

"And determined to find you a wife, I'm told," Colt said, grinning.

Blaze scowled. "Bite your tongue, cousin. See you two at the station later."

Colt took her hand and they walked the rest of the way to the clinic while Chewy bit at the snowflakes that had started falling again from the sky.

"Are you going to tell me what you did to him?" Zoe asked as they made their way up to Colt's old apartment.

"I just wanted to discourage him from visiting again," Colt said. "We're friendly here in Laurel Valley. But not that friendly."

Zoe chuckled. "I've never seen anyone turn quite that color before. I thought he was having a stroke."

"Nah," Colt said, pulling her into his arms. "I'm a doctor. It would make sense that I would know the places to hurt just as well as the places to heal."

"You're like a superhero, choosing to use your powers for good. It was very sexy."

He leaned down to kiss her, and he lifted her in his arms. "Well, in that case. Why don't we skip lunch today?"

"I was just thinking the same thing." Her heart flipped over in her chest as he kissed her again. "I love you, Colt O'Hara. I'm glad you're mine."