Epilogue

Noah

Four months later

I'm committed to winning this staring contest, no matter what.

Sitting in front of me, trapped like a prisoner in a small wooden playpen in the middle of our living room, is the new furry intruder in our once peaceful home: a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppy. His coat is golden red, almost maple, with white spots on his chest and nose, as well as white spots on his tiny paws that make him look like he is wearing tennis socks. And just like me, this little guy is determined to win our staring match. He sits on his fluffy round butt, his tiny tail wagging uncontrollably, swiping across the pee pads that protect our wooden floor from potential accidents as he stares at me. Every now and then, he lets out a high-pitched whine, followed by what I assume is meant to be a bark.

I still can't believe I agreed to us getting a dog. But when Evelyn introduced me to this particular breed and its traits, it was hard to say no. Besides her plan for him to become my service dog because she thinks I have PTSD. Which I don't. At least I think so. I can train him to retrieve my hunts, like ducks. That may be the main reason I agreed to get him in the first place. But ever since we picked him up yesterday, I've been regretting my decision.

"Noah, stop staring at the puppy," Evelyn says as she walks over to us with a bowl of fresh food for the little guy.

"No. I'm the man of the house and I'm not going to back down."

She sighs, and I don't even have to look at her directly to know she's rolling her eyes at my comment. "I can't believe I actually thought you weren't a caveman like all the other men."

"What?" The puppy breaks eye contact the moment Evelyn steps into the playpen and waddles excitedly around her feet, waiting for his meal while I silently celebrate my victory.

"You are literally competing with a puppy to be the most dominant male in the house. You're acting like an animal." She chuckles and kneels down to let the puppy sit before he is allowed to dig into his bowl. She then leaves the playpen and joins me on the sofa, sitting down next to me and wrapping her arms around one of mine, pressing my biceps against her chest.

"I am not an animal…" I snort.

"To be frank, we are animals. Just evolved differently." She chuckles. A small, disapproving rumble rises from my chest, but I remain silent. "Have you decided on a name? He's supposed to be your dog after all."

I tilt my head to look in her direction before returning my attention to the puppy. "His color reminds me of whiskey, so I thought it would fit."

"Really? Whiskey? Isn't there anything more…I don't know…cute?"

"I like Whiskey, or do you want me to name him something like Mr. Fluff Puff?"

"No," she bursts out laughing and squeezes my arm tighter. I look back at her and my lips curl into a smile. My heart swells with love at the sight of her cheerful face. I can't imagine anything more perfect than this view, this sound. She is so beautiful when she laughs, the way her cheeks flush and her eyes crinkle at the corners. "Although it would be hilarious to hear you call him that when you are out hunting. But I guess Whiskey it is then."

My eye drifts back to the puppy, his tail wagging as he eats.

"Kyle will be here soon," she says, intertwining her fingers with mine and giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "Are you sure you want to tell him today?"

"Yeah, it's about time."

I mouth a thank you as my gaze lands on Evelyn carrying two bottles of cold beer as she joins us on the back porch where Kyle and I are sitting on the outdoor sofa, smoking and discussing his latest job.

"And then he had the nerve to die before I could have my fun with him," Kyle blurts out. She hands each of us a bottle before sitting down next to me and placing a hand on my thigh. "Thank you." Kyle smiles at her before changing the subject. "Anyway, why exactly did you two let me drive all the way out here? I'm sure it wasn't just for a nice dinner," he says before taking a sip of his beer.

"No, of course not," I say with a sigh, glancing at Evelyn as she leans into me. "We wanted to tell you that we are getting married." I can't hide it as my lips curl into a small smile. I asked her months ago, and at first it didn't feel real because nothing had really changed in our relationship. But now that we're taking the first steps toward actually getting married, it's slowly sinking in that it's really happening.

Kyle's eyes widen and his jaw drops. "You what? No way. When did you ask her?"

"On my birthday." I shrug, taking a sip of my beer.

"What?!" Kyle raises his voice. "That was fucking months ago, your birthday is in February and we are in June."

"Yeah." I lower my beer and raise my eyebrow at Kyle's outburst.

"Why the hell did you keep it a secret?" Kyle looks back and forth between me and Evelyn.

"We just didn't feel like telling anyone," she answers his question, stealing a quick glance at me and squeezing my thigh before turning her attention back to Kyle.

"And since I am in debt to Mr. Hunt for saving my life, I had to take care of a few things for him over the past few months." I nod in the direction of Evelyn. "It was not like we had the time to get married right away."

Kyle nods. "So with that taken care of, things are getting serious now?"

"Yes," Evelyn answers and I wrap my arm around her waist. "We, or rather I, have started planning." She chuckles.

"You're not involved in the planning?" Kyle flashes me a playful grin.

"No. I've tried. But everything I like is not good enough."

"That's not true," Evelyn gasps.

I raise my eyebrows and chuckle. "If you say so, name one thing I suggested that you agreed to?"

She remains silent, her eyes narrowing as her lips press into a thin line. "That we use your credit card for everything."

Before I can even answer, Kyle interrupts us with a burst of laughter. "All you're good for is your money."

"Shut up." I shoot him a glare.

"But this is exciting, congratulations to both of you," he says, his amusement fading into a chuckle. "I never thought I'd see you get married. I figured the only ceremony type event I would attend for you would be your funeral." Kyle looks at me and I can't keep a straight face; my expression changes to one of annoyance.

"Well, thanks to you, that almost became a reality."

"Stop you two." Evelyn sighs. "I thought we were past this."

"Yeah, sorry," I say, planting a kiss on the top of her head before turning my attention back to Kyle. "There's something else I wanted to ask you."

"Of course, what is it?"

"Will you be my best man?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course!" Kyle says, getting up and swinging his hand in my direction, slapping me on the shoulder before raising his beer. "Here's to you two and your future."

I nod and clink my beer with Kyle before we both take a big gulp, then I offer my drink to Evelyn, and she takes a sip of the beer as well.

Watching her reaction, a smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Her nose wrinkles and deep lines form on her forehead as she squeezes her eyes shut as the bitter taste hits her tongue. She looks so cute, her face scrunched up as if she's trying to force herself to like it. She hates beer, hates the bitter taste, the way it bubbles in her mouth. But it's not just beer. She hates a lot of things. But there are so many more things she loves, and she loves them all with all her heart, including me.

How did I get so damn lucky? I can't believe I'm actually marrying her—my Little Dove, my guardian angel. I never thought I'd find someone like her, someone who loves me with her whole being and isn't afraid to show it. She looks past every scar, inside and out, and not only accepts them but embraces them, soothing my wounds that will never fully fade. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm truly home. She's my safe place, and there's nothing I wouldn't do to make sure she stays right where she belongs—by my side.