Epilogue
DEREK
TWO YEARS LATER - UTAH
"Please tell me you're not trying to lift that box." I catch Danny's hand before she can grab the heavy portfolio case.At seven months pregnant, she's still trying to do everything herself.
She rolls her eyes but lets me take it."I'm pregnant, not useless. Besides, these are the last of my Utah pieces for the Chelsea gallery opening."
"Which Marcus is handling beautifully." I stack the case with the others."Though I suspect that has more to do with your new gallery manager than his sudden interest in mountain landscapes."
"Sierra does have a way of making our stoic CFO trip over his words." Danny's laugh fills her soon-to-be-empty studio."Who knew Marcus had a thing for curvy brunettes who can talk art theory?"
I pull her close, hands spanning her belly where our daughter kicks against my palms."I'd say he learned from the best.Some of us have excellent taste in strong-willed, artistic women."
"Smooth talker." But she melts into me, and I breathe in the familiar scent of lavender and paint that now fills our Manhattan penthouse."Think we're making the right choice?Moving everything to New York?"
"Having second thoughts?"
"No." She traces the ring on my finger, matching the one she wears."Just... this studio saw a lot of dreams come true.My first gallery show. The mountain series that brought me back to you.The painting I was working on when you proposed."
"And now it'll see new dreams." I kiss her temple."Some artist will rent it, fall in love with these mountains like you did.Meanwhile, you'll be running the hottest gallery in Chelsea, making Marcus incredibly flustered every time Sierra walks by."
"While you handle mergers between daddy-daughter tea parties?"
"Exactly." I rest my chin on her shoulder, watching the Utah sunset paint the mountains in shades I've seen captured in her work countless times."Though I was thinking... maybe we keep the cabin in Serenity County.For holidays, family gatherings..."
"Christmas miracles?" She turns in my arms, eyes sparkling."Maybe we can even gift a vacation there to Marcus and Sierra." I giggle at the thought."Aunt Sue would love that."
"She'd love anything that lets her gloat more about her matchmaking skills."
"Can you blame her? Her plan worked perfectly with us."
I think of the way we've woven our dreams together instead of choosing betweenthem.The gallery in Chelsea. The nursery waiting inManhattan.The cottage where it all began that we nowown.
"Yeah," I murmur, pulling her closer. "It really did."
Avery Shaw is a woman of many facets. Even after moving to a big city, she still loves to write about small-town drama, suspense, and romance between protective heroes and sassy heroines.