Epilogue 1 - Sawyer

EPILOGUE 1 - SAWYER

Twelve Months Later

“ A bsolutely not.” I cross my arms and try to maintain my stern expression, but it's getting harder and harder to deny Noelle anything these days. Especially when she's looking at me with those big brown eyes, practically bouncing with excitement.

“But Sawyer, they're musical fairy lights! They play 'Silver Bells' when you walk past them!”

“The orchids don't need a Christmas soundtrack.”

“I’ve been reading all about how plants respond to classical music, and I think the orchids would love it.” She slides her arms around my waist, pressing herself against me in a way that makes it difficult to remember why I'm arguing. “Like you love me.”

“That's fighting dirty,” I murmur, unable to resist dropping a kiss on her upturned lips. She tastes like the peppermint hot chocolate she's been sipping all morning while helping me repot the new specimens that arrived yesterday. “Especially when I don’t think Christmas carols count as classical music.”

Noelle grins up at me. “Maybe not, but they're festive. And you promised we could decorate the greenhouse this year.”

I sigh, knowing I'm fighting a losing battle. Ever since Noelle moved in permanently six months ago, our lives have turned into a whirlwind of laughter, bright decorations no matter what time of year it is, and an abundance of joy that I never thought possible. She has transformed this cabin and my once solitary existence into a vibrant celebration. And even though I grouch about it at times, there isn’t a moment where I’d want it any other way.

“Fine,” I concede, shaking my head but unable to hide my smile. “Lights but no music or flashing. We don’t need to disrupt the peace of the Shenzhen Nongke. You know that takes eight years to bloom, and I can’t even begin to tell you how hard it was to get my hands on.”

“Deal!” Noelle practically squeals, her enthusiasm bouncing off her as she squeezes me tighter before darting off to sketch her vision for the greenhouse decorations. I watch her flurry of energy with a bemused grin, my heart feeling too big for my chest. That woman owns all of me, and she knows it.

I turn back to my work, the warmth of the sunlight through the glass panels making my surrounds feel as jolly and bright as my life does. The greenhouse— our greenhouse now—has transformed over the past year. Just like everything else in my life since Noelle crashed through my fence and into my heart. The clinical research facility has become something warmer, more alive. She convinced me to add a small retail space where we sell common varieties, keeping the rare specimens separate but visible through glass walls. Her social media expertise has turned our little mountain operation into something of a scenic destination.

“What do you think of this?” Noelle bounces back into the greenhouse, a candy cane hanging from her lips as she proffers her drawing.

I set down my tools, wiping my hands on the worn denim of my jeans, and lean closer to examine her sketch. She’s made sure to keep her decoration suggestions around the designated work areas for my prized orchids, creating a whimsical border of garlands festooned with colorful baubles, twinkling lights, and sprigs of holly. My surprised smile grows as I take in the details.

“I like it,” I say, my eyes dropping to her mouth as she sucks back and forth on the candy cane.

She grins. “Yeah?” She pulls the candy cane from her lips with a smack of sticky sweetness. “But you don’t love it?”

“How can I love anything when you are my all, angel?” I reach out and tug her up against me. As always, her body fits perfectly against mine, and I’m reminded of just how special this woman is to me—not that I could ever really forget. I tilt her chin up gently, brushing my lips over hers. “I think your decorations will look beautiful in here.”

“Beautiful, huh?” Her hands slide under my shirt, and I groan. “So, I guess that means you’ll let me deck your halls?”

Laughter bursts out of me. “That was terrible.”

“You're smiling though.” She traces my lips with her finger. “You smile so much more these days.”

“I have good reason to.” I lean in and capture her lips in a deep kiss, the warmth of her continued presence constantly melting away any lingering shadows from my past. It’s easy to forget the weight of sorrow when I’m wrapped up in her joy—her laughter. It’s a tune I never want to stop hearing. “Mmm. You taste like candy canes.”

Noelle lets out a delighted giggle, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. “Well, that’s the idea! Sweet with a hint of holiday spirit.” She leans in again, brushing her lips against mine. “And speaking of holiday spirit, should I be asking why you've been sneaking around with my dad recently? Or should I pretend I haven’t noticed?”

I freeze. “What?”

“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes fondly. “I saw you two whispering at Sunday dinner last week. And Mom's been giving me these looks . Like she's about to burst. You’re planning something.”

I chuckle nervously, running a hand through my unruly beard. “It’s not what you think, Noelle. Your dad and I were just talking about…”

“Orchids?” she prompts, her eyes dancing.

Reaching into my pocket, I feel the small velvet box I've been carrying around for days, keeping it safe and close until the moment arrived. I wanted to wait until we were gathered around the tree at her parents’ house for tonight’s Christmas Eve extravaganza, but now I realize I can’t wait a moment longer. Leave it to Noelle to force my hand. She's always had a way of making me face things head-on, of turning my carefully laid plans into beautiful chaos.

“You're ruining the surprise,” I tell her, but I'm already sinking to one knee. Her hands fly to her mouth, eyes going wide.

“Sawyer...”

“I had this whole thing planned. When charades started after dinner tonight, I was going to pair up with you and…” I pull out the box, opening it to reveal the ring I chose with her father's help—a pink diamond surrounded by smaller white ones.

“Oh my god, Sawyer. It’s beautiful,” she gasps.

“You know I’ve never been great at turning my feelings into words, but I want you to know that from the moment you crashed into my life, you've been turning everything upside down in the best possible way.”

Tears spill down her cheeks as she nods encouragingly.

“You made me believe in second chances. In love. In Christmas magic.” I take her hand, my own trembling slightly. “You turned my quiet existence into this beautiful, chaotic, joy-filled life that I never want to end. So, Noelle Winters, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” She launches herself at me, knocking us both backwards onto the greenhouse floor. “Yes, yes, yes!”

I laugh as she peppers my face with kisses, both of us sprawled between rows of orchids. “Let me put the ring on you, at least.”

She sits up, straddling my waist as I slide the ring onto her finger. It catches the greenhouse light, throwing rainbow sparkles across her beaming face.

“It's perfect,” she whispers. “You're perfect.”

“I love you.” The words come easily now, after a year of practice. “Even if you do want to torture my plants with musical Christmas lights.”

Her eyes light up. “So that’s a definite yes to the lights?”

“One string. Non-musical. No flashing.”

“Two strings, a tiny twinkle, and I'll make it worth your while.” She rocks her hips suggestively.

“Here? Among my innocent orchids?”

“They're not that innocent. I've seen what some of them look like in bloom.” She leans down to kiss me. “Besides, it's our greenhouse. We can christen it if we want to.”

As I pull her down for another kiss, I marvel at how much has changed in a year. The mountain doesn't feel lonely anymore. The greenhouse has become a place of joy rather than escape. And Christmas... well, let's just say I'm looking forward to many more holiday seasons with my Christmas angel.

Even if she does insist on musical fairy lights.

“I love you,” she murmurs against my lips. “My grumpy mountain man.”

“I love you too.” I sit up, keeping her in my lap. “My Christmas miracle.”

She beams, then a mischievous glint enters her eye. “So about adding some music...”

I silence her with a kiss, and soon we're both too busy to argue about decorations. The orchids, musical lights or not, will have to wait.

We have some celebrating to do.