Protected by the Mountain Man (Whiskey Mountain #2)

Epilogue

Ava

One year later…

I’m driving home from the last day of my first year of my PhD program. I’ve loved every single minute of it, and with the discovery of the fern in the mountains of Whiskey Mountain, I got a leg up on my research and am well on my way to becoming a doctor.

I can’t believe how much has changed in my first year in Whiskey Mountain. I overcame my guilt for the fire, reconnected with Scott, and started a program that’s made me feel confident and capable in my career. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my postgrad life.

I’ve become great friends with both Luna and Tessa, and have taken up babysitting Ruby on nights when Tessa needs some time to herself and Scott’s on duty for his monthly shift at the firehouse. She sure has her hands full and I’ve been loving spending time with Ruby, she’s a great little girl, despite all that she’s been through.

Life with Scott has been incredible. I moved into his house at the end of the summer, it just made sense since we were spending all of our time together anyways. It also allowed me to turn the cabin back into a rental and has made for some excellent passive income while I’m back in school.

Scott welcomed me to his house like he welcomed me that first night in town, with nothing but open arms and a drive to make sure I’m as comfortable as I can be. We get out on the trails whenever we can, always searching for elusive plants. We haven’t had great luck since that first day out, but we love exploring together, so any hike is always a win.

I pull up to the house, surprised to see Scott’s truck in the driveway. He told me they were going to be slammed at the brewery today and that I would probably beat him home. I park and grab my bag before heading inside.

“Scotty?” I yell, wondering where the hell he could be. That’s when I notice a trail of fern fronds and wildflowers leading from the living room through the slider to the porch. I follow it and see the trail flowing down the stairs, all the way through the yard and into the clearing that leads to the hiking trails.

What is he up to?

I follow the trail and am surprised to find Luna, Tessa, and Ruby waiting for me by the trail sign.

“What are you guys doing here!? And what is Scott doing?” I ask, equally nervous and excited.

They just shrug. Ruby grabs my hand. “Come on Avey,” she says, and I melt whenever she calls me that. “We’ve got a surprise for you.”

“It’s a good one, I promise,” Luna says. She’s dressed in black workout clothes that stretch over her swelling belly. Their baby is due in a few months and I absolutely cannot wait to meet the little angel.

“It really is,” Tessa says with a laugh, grabbing her little sister’s other hand.

We hike up the trail that Scott and I took on our first hike, chatting along the way. I can tell they’re all excited, and it’s calming my nerves to see their enthusiasm. As we emerge into that gorgeous meadow, I see that the whole place has bloomed with even more wildflowers since last year, it’s absolutely stunning.

I look around, spotting new flowers everywhere I turn. I notice the girls have faded into the background and I’m about to ask them what’s going on when I spot Scott in front of me, down on one knee.

I throw my hand to my mouth and mutter “Oh my god.” Scott is grinning, brown eyes swimming with love. Love that I’ve never doubted for even a second since we reconnected last year.

“Hi, honey,” he says, and I start running towards him.

“You did all this? With the trail and the girls leading me up here?”

“Yep. Wanted you to have some time with your girls before you become Dr. Thomas,” he says, still smiling. Tears start streaming down my face as I think about how wonderful this perfect man is.

“Ava, when we first met six years ago in the worst circumstances imaginable, I had this weird feeling that you were someone who was going to be important to me for a long time. Then, when you showed up at my bar last year, I knew it was my shot. I didn’t want to waste another second not being with you. And I don’t want to spend another second without you as my wife. I love you, honey. Will you marry me?”

Tears are still rolling down my cheeks as I process the beautiful, perfect words from this beautiful, perfect man who has saved me in so many ways. “Yes! Yes of course I will! I want to spend the rest of my life with you, my everything.” He beams as he slides the gorgeous ring on my finger, and I barely hear the whoops of our friends, Ethan and Luke having joined the girls, as I tackle Scott to the ground and kiss him with everything I have.

Thank God I came back to Whiskey Mountain.

~The End