Epilogue

Ash

Three Years Later

"Oh, honey. You look so handsome."

I glance at my mom in the mirror. She's wearing a light blue lace dress, her hand over her mouth as she looks at me. "Yeah? You like the white?"

She lets out a breath before walking my way. "It's perfect. Just like I'd always imagined."

"You thought about my wedding day?" I ask curiously.

She straightens my lapel, even though the fabric is already perfectly pressed. "You're my son. Of course I did. I never wanted to pressure you, but I hoped you'd have this someday. I think it's any parent's dream for their kid to find happiness."

My lips turn up into a smile. "Even if that means them being thousands of miles away?"

"Even then," she says seriously. "Are you ready?"

"More than," I admit.

"Such a handsome groom," my mom says softly, shaking her head. "Come on. Let's head outside."

Arm looped with mine, my mom accompanies me out of the spare bedroom of the ranch house. The halls are quiet as we make our way through the house to the back door. It's a beautiful fall day, the temperatures just warm enough to keep our guests comfortable but not so hot as to be sweltering. The foliage has started to change color, oranges and yellows mixing in with greens, and the cattle, like usual, add small dots of black-and-white to the landscape. Everyone is waiting for us near the river, so we head right that way.

When I catch sight of my soon-to-be-husband for the first time in hours, I can't help but bark a laugh.

Jackson has donned more jewelry than I've ever seen on him. Rings cover fingers on both hands. Leather and beaded bracelets peek out from below the hem of his suit jacket. I wouldn't be surprised if a few necklaces are hidden beneath his shirt and tie, too.

It's clear his family got to him, the sweet nuisances.

I expect Jackson to be scowling when I meet his gaze, but he's not. He's watching me with an expression that has my feet stuttering, even as my heart takes off at a gallop.

"I'll wait with the others," my mom says, giving my cheek a quick kiss before walking off, leaving me with Jackson.

"Hi," I say quietly, closing the distance between us.

He swallows roughly, his gaze running up and down my form, my white suit in direct contrast to his black one. "Hi," he finally replies.

I huff a laugh, running my fingers through Jackson's hair. Like usual, the strands are refusing to stay put, but damn if I don't love them that way.

Love him that way.

"You look handsome, Jack," I tell my fiancé.

"Too much jewelry," he mutters.

"Nah. I think it's just right."

Jackson tucks a strand of my hair back. "You're stunning."

Pretty sure my heart is trying to fly out of my chest. "You like the boots?"

He looks down, a smile on his face. "Sure do. They're a perfect fit."

Somehow, I know he's not talking about the size.

When Jackson's gaze returns to mine, my breath catches, the same way it did the first time I locked eyes with this man. And many, many times since then.

"Can I marry you now, Ashley Alcott? It feels like I've been waiting a lifetime for this."

"And what if I'm getting cold feet?" I tease.

"You're not," he says, so sure. "You'd have run far before now if that was the case. You're not going anywhere."

He's absolutely right about that.

I take hold of Jackson's hand, giving him a squeeze. "Yeah, Jack. Let's get married."

My mom gives me a nod when I signal to her that we're ready. Neither Jackson nor I cared much about custom when it came to planning our wedding day. We're not the flashy types; Jackson was right about that. Our ceremony consists of a small gathering, just our families, friends, and the folks from the ranch. Everyone takes their seats now in front of the mountains, the river snaking along our left.

I couldn't have dreamed up anything better.

The officiant waits up front, with Jackson's brothers standing off to one side and Virginia on the other. My heart swoops in my chest as our music starts to play, and my hand tightens on Jackson's.

"Ready?" I ask.

Bright blue eyes meet mine. "Ready for anything with you."

Damn sentimental man.

Jackson and I walk down the grassy aisle together as Cat Stevens's "The Wind" plays softly from speakers nearby. I never would have guessed years ago when I was dragging my suitcases behind me, the mountains waiting ahead, that I'd find my home right here in the small town of Darling, Montana. I wouldn't have guessed I'd find my own cowboy, that I'd fit here with him.

But sometimes our trajectory in life isn't what we expect. And I think that can be a good thing. I haven't once regretted my decision to up and travel west without a solid plan.

Not when it led me here.

When we reach the front of the aisle, the music that will forevermore remind me of the sun and the mountains comes to a close. Colton shoots Jackson what I assume is supposed to be a surreptitious thumbs-up, and I huff a laugh, meeting Virginia's gaze on the opposite side of the officiant. The tears in her eyes have me pulling in a shuddering breath.

Jackson and I separate to stand opposite one another, the breeze blowing gently and rustling the taller grasses at the edge of the water. For just a moment, everything is still and hushed, Jackson's eyes holding mine.

I wish I could say every moment of our wedding is one that gets seared into my memory, locked away timelessly for me to revisit again and again. But that's simply not the truth. Jackson fills my vision, leaving everything else hazy in my periphery.

I remember the important moments, though. Like our vows. I remember the way Jackson's eyes begin to water as he speaks. I remember how his voice trembles.

"Ash," he says hoarsely, his emotions already overwhelming him. "When I was a little boy, I used to run around this ranch, exploring every nook and cranny. I never got sick of it, and I remember thinking surely there was nowhere on Earth as perfect as this. And then…then I met you."

Ah, God.

Jackson takes in an uneven breath, composing himself. My own smile wobbles.

"They say love is like falling," he says. "But I don't think that was the case for me. Loving you is as easy as breathing. It's the way you smile and how your eyes brighten when you're excited, which is often. It's how comfortable it feels to be in your arms after a long day, and how, no matter what, your strength of spirit never wavers. You're as big as this place. As expansive. You're in my lungs, Ashley Alcott, and loving you was never a question. It was simply a matter of fact."

I hastily swipe my cheek as Jackson grabs my hand in his, bringing us closer together. His next words are nearly a whisper.

"As long as these mountains stand, I will love you. That I promise, sunshine."

I pull in my own shaky breath as Jackson smiles at me in that way he does, all humble and sincere. I never stood a chance against that smile.

"Jack," I say, my voice barely cooperating. "I used to pretend I was a bird. A seagull, to be precise. I imagined my wings taking me wherever I wanted to go. I never knew, exactly, where that was. I just knew there was something out there. I was sure of it. When I finally listened to that voice, I found you ."

I wipe my cheek again, although it's a losing battle. Jackson's grip is tight in mine, and it grounds me. It makes it easy to go on.

"What I found was a man with a heart of gold. Someone good and kind, with the cutest scowl." I huff a laugh as Jackson attempts one now, rather unsuccessfully. "I found someone hard-working and protective. Someone stubborn about doing what's right. I found the sweetest man I've ever known."

Jackson shakes his head, but his eyes are wet, glimmering like the river beside us.

"I found the place I'd been searching for," I tell him honestly. "I found who I'd been searching for. There's not a day I don't love you, Jackson Darling. Not an hour, not a second. It's in every beat of my heart, in the iron that runs through my veins. You're a part of me, cowboy, and, as surely as the sun sets day after day, I will keep on loving you."

I can feel Jackson's inhale in my own chest, feel the way he aches with it. Because I ache, too. The best sort of pain.

It's a blur again after that. Snickerdoodle comes down the aisle with our rings, a sight that has our wedding guests laughing. Smooth metal is slid onto my finger, and another ring is added to Jackson's current collection. There's steady blue eyes and words spoken—soft and solemn I dos . There's the whoop of a particularly rowdy Darling brother as the officiant pronounces us husband and husband.

And then there's Jackson's lips on mine, tasting of home.

Our family and friends clap as we walk down the aisle, hand in hand. Virginia lets out a piercing whistle. My cheeks hurt with how hard I'm smiling.

It's early evening when our celebration moves inside the dining room at the back of the ranch house. Lights are strung along the beams in the ceiling, more hanging from the awning over the back porch. For once, I didn't cook dinner, but everyone enjoys the sandwiches Marigold's friend Louise provided and the glasses of Darling Whiskey being poured.

Jackson and I take a moment for ourselves out on the deck, the air a little cooler now, our jackets on a chair inside. Music plays from within the dining room, and I catch sight of Marigold and Hank dancing with one another, Hank's head resting on Marigold's taller shoulder.

"Should we take the horses out this weekend?" Jackson asks. "We could pack some lunch. Stay out all afternoon."

My lips twitch, my arms wrapping around his back as his hands settle on my hips. "Jackson Darling, are you asking me on a date?"

He grumbles something I can't quite hear before saying, "And if I am? I'm allowed to take my husband out on dates, you know."

This man .

"Yeah, Jack. That sounds perfect. Maybe your mom could pack us a picnic."

Jackson stills for a second before tucking his face against my neck, his teeth nipping. I bark a laugh, the sting and subsequent soothing of his lips making me eager to get home to our bed. Or, heck, even the couch would do.

"I'll pack our own damn food," Jackson rumbles, sounding put-out.

I smooth my hands up his back, hugging him to me. "Sweet, sweet man," I murmur.

He shakes his head, beard bristling my skin. "I don't know why you keep calling me sweet. You're the only goddamn person who thinks that."

I huff a laugh, pulling back enough to see Jackson's face. "Because you are . You, Jack, are sweet like whiskey."

His brow creases. "Meaning what? I come with an abrasive kick?"

A smile curves my lips, and I bring my mouth close to his ear. " Meaning you put up a rough front. But under all that bite is a sweetness that lingers on my tongue."

Jackson sucks in a breath as I tug his earlobe between my teeth, his eyes darting down to my mouth as soon as I lean back. "For the record," he says hoarsely, "I think you're full of it."

"I can be full of you later if you want."

He groans, tucking his face against my neck again. "Fuck, sunshine. How long do we needa stick around our own reception?"

I glance inside. At my mom talking to Jackson's parents. At Remi animatedly telling Lawson about the new Silkie chicks at the petting farm. At all the ranchers, our extended family, and Virginia, my dearest friend, the reason I was drawn to Darling in the first place. Even Colton, who's stacking a pile of bacon-wrapped sausages onto his plate.

These people, they're ours.

"I think we've paid our dues," I tell my husband, snagging his hand. "C'mon, darlin'. Bring me home?"

His smile is comfort, his voice familiarity. "Happy to."

Jackson and I walk beneath the setting sun as the mountains turn red, his hand linked solidly with my own.

And I know I'm already there.

Home .

The End