Epilogue

ONE YEAR LATER

Miles

It’s a circus when all my family gets together. Especially now that three of us are married, Clara’s engaged, and there are two grandchildren.

Clara’s little girl is a newborn, so she’s easy. We just pass her from person to person and love on her. Wilder and Ivy’s daughter Jovie is an adorable handful. We take turns playing with her too, but that involves dolls, puzzles, blowing bubbles outside, and an assortment of other entertainment.

Everyone is at our house tonight for family dinner. My mom has gotten a lot more relaxed about letting Harper and the other wives host as the family has gotten bigger, but it still stresses whoever is hosting out.

Since Harper just found out that she is pregnant and has been having morning, afternoon, and night sickness, I decided to grill for our family dinner. That was mistake number one. Expecting my family not to ask questions about why I’m making dinner and Harper is taking a nap was mistake number two.

“Why are you grilling? We always do a sit-down meal for family dinner.” My nosy brother, Knox, asks.

“Because I thought it might be fun to do something different.” I glance at him, trying to tell him to shut up with my eyes.

“Where’s Harper?” Wilder asks.

“In the house.”

“Ivy was looking for her, I’ll tell her to go inside.”

“No!” Damn. “I mean, I think she wasn’t feeling well. A headache. She might be lying down.”

Harper doesn’t want to tell anyone about the pregnancy until she’s past her first trimester. I tried to tell her my family would figure it out. They’re a bunch of nosy, loveable busybodies.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Harper not feel well the entire time you’ve known her,” Knox says, stating a fact I hadn’t forgotten. Harper isn’t ever sick. This plan is doomed to fail.

“Miles St. James, I have a major problem with you and your wife.” My younger brother, Hunter, comes storming up to the grill. The rest of the family slowly makes their way over to see what the most mild-mannered St. James could be riled up about.

“What did we do to you?” I ask him.

“That woman you’ve sold Harper’s house to!” Hunter rolls his eyes, making everyone laugh before sending me a covert wink.

Shit, my little brother is coming to my rescue. He’s making himself the center of attention to take the focus off Harper. He’s definitely my favorite St. James.

“What about her? She’s a teacher, doesn’t have a record, and seemed very sweet. She’s joined Harper’s book club.”

“Her cat is a psychopath and she’s…” Hunter drifts off. “She doesn’t like me.”

“A woman who doesn’t like Hunter?” Wilder laughs. “Call the news stations.”

It’s true that Hunter doesn’t have problems with the ladies, but I don’t think that’s what he was going to say originally. From the blush on his cheeks, Hunter said more than he meant to and now I want to save him.

Instead, his rescue comes from the double doors that lead to the kitchen. “I’m pregnant.”

Everyone turns to look at Harper, who is standing framed in the light from inside the house looking like an angel. My heart feels like it’s going to explode inside my chest. Everyone rushes forward to congratulate her and check to make sure she’s okay.

“You are one lucky man,” Hunter tells me.

“I know. Thanks for trying to be a distraction.”

“Tell Harper the same thing. I kind of stepped in it there.” Hunter laughs.

“You know you can talk to me if you need to.”

“Yeah, April, the woman next door, is just driving me crazy. I did mean all of what I said. Her cat is a psychopath, and she doesn’t like me for some reason, but I can’t stop thinking about her.”

“It happens to the best of us, Hunter.” I look at my wife as she beams with happiness while my family fusses over her. “And whatever you have to go through along the way will be worth it.”