Filthy Rich (Mail Order Mountain Men #2)

Epilogue

Christopher

One Year Later

I lay the hammer into the final nail on the cabin remodel. I could’ve hired someone to do it. The project would’ve been a hell of a lot faster, and it probably would’ve cost less in the long run, but like everything I cherish, I got possessive. This home has been in Trish’s family for decades. I couldn’t stomach the idea of someone else messing with it.

“Oh my God! This looks so good! I can’t wait until the baby gets here and sees how amazing her daddy is.” Trish rubs her small hand over her expanded belly as she hands me a glass of sweet tea with a soft smile. I thought she couldn’t look better, but seeing her pregnant with my baby has me feeling different. There’s something about the soft curve of her expanded stomach that excites me in ways I didn’t think possible.

“I was just about to yell to you. I got a call about the new appliances. They’re going to deliver everything tomorrow after three. Will you be here? I have to run to the mill and get more lumber for the dresser I’m building. Ryder says he has some choice pieces that’d be perfect.”

She squeals and smiles brightly. “Yeah! I’m so excited. I haven’t seen anything in this house outside of what my grandparents owned. That baby’s room is going to be so sweet with that little white bassinet and the rocking chair you built. Plus, we have all the bookshelves you made. They’re going to look so pretty filled up with toys and storybooks.” She tips up onto her toes and kisses my lips gently. “Thank you.”

“You can stop saying that. You’re my wife, carrying my baby. I want everything to be special, hand-built, customized for us.”

So far, we’ve done a decent job at making our life unique. We had a small wedding ceremony right here at the cabin with violins, the trees, and a cake from the local bakery. I think that’s the night we got pregnant, but there hasn’t been a night I haven’t been inside of her. Every night since we’ve met has kept me thinking about new ways to make her happy.

She lands against my chest and drags in a deep breath. “God, this feels good.”

“What does, kitten?” I think I know, but I want to hear it.

“You. This. Our life. I mean,” she leans back and stares up at me with those big brown eyes that make me feel like my entire life was leading up to the moment we met, “how is this real? I wake up every morning excited for the day. Excited to have coffee together. Excited to get home and snuggle on the couch. Excited to see where the snuggling goes.” She grins. “I’m just… I’m happy, Christopher. Really, really happy and you’re the one that makes it all happen.”

I kiss her forehead gently and brush her hair back away from her face. “I’m happy too, kitten.”

“Even though you’re not traveling as much anymore?”

I smile and brush the back of my hand softly against her cheek. “Happier. I’d trade it all again in a second to stay out here with you. Are you sure you’re okay with quitting your job? You love teaching.”

“I do, but after the thing that happened with Ethan last year, I need a break. I still think about how rude his parents were. I mean, I get it, I was in the wrong, but the kid is out of line posting stuff like that on the internet!” She exhales softly. “Anyway, I think a break will be nice. I’ll be home with the baby, and we’ll have time to work on the charity stuff. We have a lot to do if we’re going to be up and running by next year.”

Never in my life did I think I’d be heading up a youth mentoring program, but here we are, and I think it’ll be fantastic. More than fantastic, I think it’s the perfect opportunity for Trish to show off her compassion while allowing her to do what she really loves—connect with the kids.

Her brows narrow and her voice pitches higher as she says, “Are you still excited about the whole thing? I don’t want you to feel like you have to do it if you’re not into it.”

I rub my hand over her expanded stomach and kiss her forehead gently. “I’m into it. This is a new chapter. I want to see our money do good things. I want to be a part of the community and maybe build something extraordinary. I hear chicks dig that.”

She grins. “Do they now?”

“It’s what I hear.”

“And what about the ski resort? You’re not having second thoughts?”

I bite back a smile and scrub my hand down over my beard. “I still think a ski lodge would do well here, but I think this town should stay just like it is. Besides, I’ll be keeping you pregnant. Between that and the charity, I think we’re going to be busy.”

“But it would make so much money. You hate it when a good deal goes sour.”

I pull her into my orbit and lean into her lips, feeling the baby kick against my stomach as I hold Trish close. “The best deal I could have ever made is right here with you. I promise.” Our lips brush together, and as corny as it sounds, I know I’m where I’m meant to be. This woman is everything, and I swear I’ll love her and this family with everything I have until there’s no longer air in my lungs.

I’d love to say that over the last year, I learned a lesson or that I had a revelation that cured me of my arrogance, but I’m afraid this relationship has only made me more sure of myself. I got the girl of my dreams, our sweet baby Violet is on the way, and I still don’t like the word ‘no.’ Not sure, I ever will.

THANK YOU FOR READING.