Second Epilogue

Hunter–one year later

The sun is warm on my back as I look over the group of wide-eyed Boy Scouts gathered in front of me. They're hanging on my every word as I show them how to start a fire from nothing but a few sticks and some dry moss. I've run this survival class more times than I can count, but today feels different.

Today, there's a new reason to teach these boys what it means to survive, to thrive in the wild. My eyes drift toward the front porch of the lodge, where Lark is sitting in one of the wooden rocking chairs, cradling our newborn son, Finn, in her arms.

Finn's tiny, perfect face is relaxed, his cheeks round and rosy. He's sound asleep in her arms, one chubby fist resting against his mouth. I've seen a lot of things up here on Devil's Peak, but I've never seen anything that makes me feel as fiercely protective as the sight of Lark holding our son.

"Okay, guys," I say, clapping my hands together, "that's it for today. Remember what I told you: always respect the mountain, and it'll respect you right back."

The boys cheer and gather up their gear, their excitement palpable as they head off toward the trailhead, their scout leaders keeping them in line. I watch them go, feeling a mix of pride and satisfaction. But it's nothing compared to what waits for me on that porch.

I stride toward the lodge, my eyes locked on Lark. She's watching me, her gaze warm and steady, her smile soft and filled with a love that makes my chest tighten. Her hair catches the light, glowing like fire, and she looks as wild and beautiful as the day I first found her up here.

"You make a good teacher," she says as I step onto the porch, her voice low and teasing.

I grin, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.

"And you make a good mama," I reply, my voice rough with emotion.

She blushes, but her eyes don't leave mine. "He's your spitting image," she says, glancing down at Finn. "Chubby cheeks, strong jaw, dark eyes and that same stubborn streak."

I reach out, running a finger gently over Finn's soft cheek. "He's got your fire, Lark," I murmur. "I can see it in his eyes."

Lark's smile widens, her eyes bright with a mix of joy and exhaustion.

"Let's hope he's a better sleeper than his daddy," she teases.

I chuckle, leaning down to kiss her softly. "I wouldn't bet on it."

"I think I just met the clumsiest ski bunny up on the slope—" my friend Aiden trots up to us on the porch. He nods respectfully at my mom, who sits in her rocking chair next to us, and then sends a wave and a smile at Lark.

"You mean that private lesson with the city girl you were telling me about?"

"That's the one," he grunts and pushes a hand through his hair. "She's crashed into me a half dozen times our first lesson…she's cute though, I'll give her that."

"Oh…finally found a girl to steal your heart, huh?" Lark teases him.

Aiden huffs, but I can see something below the characteristic annoyance that lingers in his eyes. Aiden and I have been best friends since middle school—he's a staple at Devil's Peak and the best ski instructor in the Rockies. We're lucky he's willing to give lessons here at the lodge, but the guy can be so grumpy and unfriendly, if he wasn't an expert he'd have been canned a long time ago.

"Hey, Aiden? I forgot to ask what time tomorrow!" A blonde girl jogs up to us, her eyes on my friend.

His gaze narrows as he takes her in, the tight, neon ski outfit sticks out like a sore thumb around here, there's no doubt she's a tourist and the exact opposite of anyone Aiden would choose to hang out with.

"Ugh—how about six?" He throws over his shoulder.

"In the morning?" Her mouth drops.

"Yep. Early bird catches the worm or whatever," he replies.

"But it's still dark then!" She protests, eyes darting from me and Lark, then back to Aiden.

A low growl escapes his throat before he spins to fully face her. "It's the only time I've got on the schedule tomorrow, take it or leave it, Snow Princess." There's a challenge in his words and an arrogant tip to his chin.

The Snow Princess seems to pick up on his snarky attitude because she squares her shoulders, then narrows her eyes and spits: " Fine. I'll be there with bells on. Grinch."

Lark and I burst into laughter as she spins and walks off leaving Aiden standing there on the porch with a look of profound irritation tracing his features.

"Guess you got a morning date. And look at that—she already knows your heart is two sizes too small," I quip.

"Right, well at least I'm getting paid," he grunts, then waves before stepping off the porch and heading in the direction of the small cottage he rents from us at the edge of the property.

Next to us, my mother, Margie Warner, sits in her favorite rocking chair, her eyes misty as she watches the scene unfold. She's been here since Finn was born, helping Lark and fussing over her new grandson with a tenderness that only a grandmother can possess. I glance at her, seeing the love in her gaze, the pride that fills her every time she looks at me or any of my brothers.

"You did good, Ma," I finally say, my voice filled with sincerity.

She smiles, her eyes shining. "So did you, Hunter. I always knew you'd be a good father."

Lark shifts Finn in her arms, cradling him closer. "You must've done something right," she says to Margie, her tone filled with admiration. "All nine of your sons are still here on Devil's Peak, and they're all so close. I'd say that's an accomplishment."

Margie's face softens, her hand reaching out to gently stroke Finn's tiny hand. "It wasn't always easy raising all these wild boys," she admits, her voice thick with emotion. "But seeing you all grown and happy… that's worth everything."

Lark's eyes are full of warmth as she looks at Margie. "Teach me your ways," she says with a playful smile. "I want Finn to feel that same kind of love."

Margie's gaze shifts to me, her expression turning serious. "You don't need me to teach you, Lark. You're already doing it. The love you have for Finn—and for Hunter—it's plain to see."

I wrap an arm around Lark's shoulders, pulling her closer. "She's more than just a good mom," I say, my voice low and filled with conviction. "She's everything."

Margie's eyes well up with tears, and she quickly wipes them away, her smile radiant. "I'm so proud of you, Hunter," she says, her voice trembling. "You've built a life here. A real life."

I press a soft kiss to Lark's temple, then one to Finn's forehead, feeling the warmth of my son's skin against my lips. "I'm the luckiest man in the Rockies," I say quietly, my voice filled with a raw honesty I don't usually let show. "The day I found you, Lark, I found myself."

Lark's eyes glisten, her lips curving into a smile that's both tender and teasing.

"Is that right?" she asks, her voice filled with a mix of playfulness and emotion.

I nod, my voice dropping to a low, rough whisper. "And I'm not done, you know. I want to show you just how much I love you." I lean closer, my breath hot against her ear. "Starting by putting another baby in that belly of yours."

She lets out a soft, surprised laugh, swatting at my chest with one hand. "Hunter," she says, her tone a mix of amusement and warning.

But there's a flicker in her eyes—an undeniable heat that tells me she's not entirely opposed to the idea. I feel a surge of possessive pride, the kind that makes me want to lay claim to her all over again, to build something even bigger, even stronger, with the woman who's become my entire world.

"Yeah," I murmur, my voice low and filled with promise. "Another baby. And maybe another one after that. I want to fill these mountains with our wild, free-spirited kids."

Lark's cheeks flush, but there's a spark of mischief in her gaze. "And who says I'll let you?"

I lean back, a slow grin spreading across my face.

"Because you want it as much as I do," I say simply, my voice filled with certainty.

She lifts her chin, her expression defiant. "Maybe I do."

I lower my head, capturing her lips in a slow, deep kiss that says everything I can't put into words. She responds instantly, her mouth warm and welcoming, her free hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck. The kiss deepens, filled with the same passion that's always burned between us, a fire that refuses to die down.

When we finally pull back, both of us are breathing hard, our foreheads resting against each other. "I love you, Lark," I say, my voice rough. "More than anything."

"I love you too, Hunter," she whispers back, her voice steady and sure.

I glance down at Finn, his tiny face still peaceful, unaware of the world he's been born into. "And you, little man," I murmur, my voice filled with affection. "You're going to have one hell of a life up here."

Lark rests her head against my shoulder, her eyes soft as she looks down at our son.

"We're going to give him everything," she says, her voice filled with a quiet determination.

I tighten my hold on her, feeling a fierce sense of protectiveness. "Damn right we are."

Mom clears her throat, her eyes filled with a mix of happiness and nostalgia. "It's good to see this," she says quietly. "To see the next generation of Warners growing up on Devil's Peak."

Lark smiles, her eyes bright with gratitude. "We'll make sure he knows where he comes from," she promises. "And how much he's loved."

I watch as mom reaches out to take Finn's tiny hand in hers, her expression filled with tenderness. "He's a lucky boy," she says softly. "He's got parents who love each other, and a family that's always here."

Lark turns to me, her eyes shining. "We've got everything we need, don't we?"

I lean down, kissing her again, slow and deep, savoring the moment. "Yeah, we do," I murmur against her lips. "Everything."

And as I hold my wife and son close, I know that this is where I'm meant to be—right here, on Devil's Peak, surrounded by love, family, and the promise of a wild, beautiful future.