Epilogue

Christmas morning dawned snowy as all get out. The snow was hitting at the windows of Miles’s cabin where Cassie and Presley were now staying. Being at Easton’s house was heaven, but they couldn’t be playing house already. Not until they got married. She wondered when that would happen. When he would propose.

Cassie slid out of bed, checked on the still-snoozing Presley in the spare bedroom, then hurried into the master shower. Taking extra time with her hair and makeup, she hoped Easton could get through the storm. They’d told Presley that Santa was coming to Mama Millie’s this year.

Rhett, Houston, Easton, Mama, and Papa had helped her get some presents and a stocking ready late last night while Walker and Marci stayed with Presley. They planned to go to Mama’s as soon as Presley woke up, open presents, and have Christmas breakfast. Mama had a full day laid out for them. Clint and Lily and Miles and Eva wouldn’t be home from their honeymoons until after the new year, but Mama was ecstatic to have Presley and Cassie as ‘part of the family’ now.

Cassie felt like part of the family. She’d never felt so complete, so loved. They’d had a quiet graveside service for her mom on the twenty-third. Her siblings, their spouses, and her nieces and nephews had come, as well as all the Colevilles that were around, the Lillywhites, and a few other people from town.

It was good to see her family. She’d promised to keep in touch better and spend time with them now that she was back in Montana to stay.

She and Easton were going to work on expanding her business throughout the nation after the new year. The Coleville/Chevron, Coleville/Lillywhite double wedding was elite and successful enough to establish her as a planner too big for a single market. From now on, she could pick and choose her events and attract clients who would be happy to work remotely in order to get the best. She didn’t mind making a trip or two before the event and she’d never miss being at the wedding, but she didn’t want to be away from Easton and Presley. Easton promised they’d travel with her.

Walking out onto the loft and down the stairs, she was in awe of the snow and wind battering the large windows. Wow. Would Easton be able to get here?

Easton had traversed six years of hard feelings and distrust to get her back. He’d make it here for Christmas morning.

The door beeped as someone typed in the code. She backed away, still sometimes instinctively afraid after the nightmarish experience with Baxter. He was in prison awaiting trial with no bail. He’d killed her mom, the security guard, his therapist, and they were compiling evidence to prove he’d killed his first wife and his grandmother .

The door pushed open and a man covered in white burst in.

“Cass!” Easton called out. He shook himself like a bear and shuddered. “I almost got buried trying to get to you.”

He pulled off his coat and set it by the door, then shoved the door closed behind him.

Cassie grinned and rushed to him. “I knew you’d battle the blizzard to get to me. My hero.”

“Fighting through a little storm makes you realize what an epic hero I am?”

“You rescued me from Baxter, healed my heart and my loneliness, and proved your loyalty and love. You are an epic hero.”

“Not to flex or anything, but I am quite the charming and superior hero, aren’t I?” He flexed his muscles, his cocky grin lighting up his handsome face, but then his blue eyes turned serious. “I will always come for you, my sweet but sassy Cass.” Of course, her Easton started to sing. She didn’t know the song, but she loved it immediately. “‘All that bends and all the breaks. Worth the wait and all the heartache. The answer to the prayers that I prayed. It was always, it was always you.’”

His husky voice reverberated through her, his mint, citrus, and pine scent titillated her senses, his blue eyes mesmerized her, and the words to his song touched her heart.

He wrapped her up and kissed her good and long. Wet snow dripped from his hair and down her neck.

She pulled back and shivered. “Brr!”

He rubbed at her neck with his wet head.

“Stop, you.” She giggled and tried to push him away.

He wrapped his hands around her waist, lifted her into the air, and grinned up at her. “Sorry, beautiful.”

“You are not.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling like she was on top of the world.

“No, not really.” He carried her easily to the carpeted living area, set her on her feet, and cradled her face in his hands. “‘Take my hand and let me make you mine,” he sang. “‘I’m through waiting, wasting my time.’”

Cassie lit up from the inside out. She did recognize this song. It was a wedding song from Parmalee.

A wedding song?

Easton took her hand and dropped to one knee in front of her. “… ‘Take my name and make me yours.’”

“Easton?” she whispered, her heart thundering against her ribcage.

He grinned cockily up at her. “Of course you’ll say yes to your ideal and ultra-handsome cowboy, and to the most important question of your life, but I wanted to do this thing right.” He pulled a large, glittering round diamond set in white gold out of his pocket.

“Oh my.” Cassie felt faint. “It’s beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you.”

“So sappy, my love.”

“Only for you.” He grinned and took her hand in his. “Cassie Johnston. Will you complete my life, make me the happiest and most charming man on earth, and marry me?”

“Yes.”

He solemnly slid the ring on her finger and then stood, tugging her in and kissing her.

Cassie got lost in the kiss and in him. The snow and wind battered the windows and the cabin, but she was safe, happy, and loved in her Easton’s arms.

He pulled back and said, “Okay, since you vehemently opposed the fabulous eloping to the Maldives and staying in a glass-bottom hut for New Year’s plan … ”

“You never mentioned the Maldives.” She’d always dreamed about a glass-bottom hut with turquoise water and fish swimming underneath next to a gorgeous tropical island. Alone with Easton, it would be even more paradisaical. “How about we go there on our honeymoon?”

“Ah, no. It’s elope there or nothing. If you make me wait for a big fancy wedding, we’ll honeymoon in Cody, Wyoming.”

She laughed. “I don’t care where we honeymoon. As long as I’m alone with you and Mama Millie is okay with our girl for a few weeks.”

“The Maldives it is,” he rushed out. “Anywhere you want to go in the world, if you’ll talk sweet like that to me. Three weeks? Yeah, baby!” He bent and kissed her again.

This kiss was filled with heat and passion. Cassie was swept away by him, and she realized they better not have too long of an engagement.

Easton slowed down the kisses and asked, “How quick can the wedding of the century be planned by an expert such as yourself?”

“It could take years,” she teased.

His eyes widened. “So we’re back to eloping. I might just have to trick you into it.”

She laughed. “We could do a spring wedding.”

“Better. But I do think January is the most beautiful month of the year.”

“Don’t push it. I’m thinking May.”

“February,” he countered.

“April.” She tickled his neck.

He grasped her hand and kissed it. “March. That’s my final offer, or it’s a rustic shack in Cody for you. ”

“I’ll take March.”

He whooped and lifted her into the air, swinging her around. “I love you, Cassie Coleville.”

She laughed. “I’m not Cassie Coleville yet.”

“Soon, my love. Ah, so impatient.” He lowered her slowly, their bodies melding together. Capturing her lips with his, he kissed her and then whispered, “I know why you’re impatient. You can’t stand to wait to be married to the most charming and handsome cowboy on Earth.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” She loved her charming, witty, loyal, handsome cowboy. He kept her safe in every possible way.

The spare bedroom door upstairs flung open and Presley ran out. “Mama! Easton!” She bounded down the steps.

“Hold that thought,” Easton whispered against her lips.

Presley bounced down the stairs. “It’s Christmas! Did Santa come to Mama Millie’s?”

“He did, love.” Easton pulled Presley into their circle. “But before we brave the blizzard and open all those presents, I need to ask you a very important question.”

“Otay.” Her eyes were wide as if she sensed the significance.

“Would it be all right with you, Princess Presley, if I married your mama, made her my queen, and you can always be my princess?” Easton’s eyes twinkled.

“Oh yes, yes, yes,” Presley cried out, clapping her little hands together and then hugging Easton tight around the neck. “Do I call you the king or my prince?”

Cassie’s heart threatened to burst with joy watching the interaction.

“No.” Easton tried to look sober, but he winked at Cassie. “You’ll call me Daddy. ”

“Yay!” Presley hugged him again. “You’ll be the best daddy ever!”

“Well, of course I will.” Easton grinned. “I’m the best at everything.” He danced Presley around and sang, “‘Let me tell you a secret, about a father’s love … It’s a love without end. Amen.’”

Cassie’s heart melted. The George Strait song was perfect. Easton would be the best dad ever. He loved Presley like his own. Tears stung her eyes.

“No crying, love,” Easton said.

“I’m just so in love with you,” she admitted. It was finally their time, after years of pain.

“Of course you are. I’m your charming cowboy.”

“Don’t you mean the most rizzie and charming bull rider on the planet?”

“I’m not trying to impress anyone. The only woman I care about already knows I’m the best ever.”

She did.

A pounding came on the door. Somebody typed in the code and then it flung open. Rhett and Houston stood there, snow pounding at them.

“Come on!” Houston called. “We got the cover on the Mule. It’s Christmas morning and we want to see Presley open her presents.”

Cassie felt more tears coming. The Colevilles were her and Presley’s family now. She’d never been so surrounded by love.

“Let me get my coat,” Presley hollered, rushing for the mud room.

“Thank you for coming for us,” Cassie said.

“I haven’t been this excited for Christmas in years,” Rhett said. “Thank you for sharing Presley with us.”

Easton wrapped his arms around her and sang low and deep, “‘Don't know why I can't forget one little taste of your lips. Come on, baby, tell me, tell me, what you put in that kiss?’”

“I’ll show you.” She whirled into him and kissed him.

“Stop!” Houston protested.

“I still can’t believe he sings,” Rhett said.

Easton only sang for her, and for Presley.

Presley tugged at her arm. “Come on, Mama and Daddy. Santa came!”

“Daddy?” Rhett asked.

Cassie held up her glittering engagement ring.

The boys hooted and Presley cheered with them.

“I think they’re cheering because they want a show,” Easton said.

“‘Are you gonna kiss me or not?’” she sang their original kissing song to him.

Easton’s blue eyes were bright and full of her. He dipped her low and kissed her thoroughly.

The cheering turned to protests, but Cassie didn’t care. She was tied to Easton, heart, body, and soul. Loyalty and love intermingled, and their joy couldn’t be contained on this most special Christmas morning.

Thanks be to the Savior. Their rocky path had been orchestrated by heaven, and they’d found each other with the good Lord’s help. Cassie would never doubt again.