Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
“Noah, I need your help with something.”
Lacey glanced up from where she was seated beside Mack, curious. Noah shot a look over at them as well. It was the night before the wedding, and they’d finally crossed off the finishing touches they’d had on their list. Now, all they could do was enjoy the event.
Mack’s arm tightened around Lacey’s shoulders, and she leaned into him.
Noah shrugged. “Sure. What do you need?”
“You remember Jane Ashley?”
Noah arched a brow, but that was all the indication that he clearly knew the woman Mack was bringing up. “Yeah,” he drawled. “Wasn’t she, like, your best friend in middle school?”
Mack nodded. “Yeah. Before everything…” His voice softened, and he glanced at Lacey out of the corner of his eye. Before he could finish that statement, Noah piped up.
“Jane was the definition of the girl next door. She was the goodie-good who couldn’t do anything wrong.” Noah smirked at Mack’s dark stare but continued all the same. “What about her?”
Lacey watched her fiancé rub the back of his neck. “She reached out to me. Said she’s coming to the wedding. Apparently, she moved to the area a few weeks back and couldn’t believe that we’re in the same town again.”
Lacey frowned, fighting the urge to be jealous. Then she reminded herself that this man at her side only had eyes for her. She let out a soothing breath and continued listening.
“Anyway,” Mack murmured, “with it being such short notice, she doesn’t have a date, and I know you guys were friends, too. And seeing as you don’t have a date, either…”
Noah grinned. “You think she’d go for that?”
Lacey’s focus bounced from one man to the next. Clearly there was something between Noah and this Jane woman. One-sided, at least. And knowing that made her frantic heart slow to a more acceptable rhythm.
Mack shrugged. “Do I think she’s going to date you? No,” he murmured flatly. “But she told me all about that pact you made with her when she started ninth grade.”
Noah’s ears turned red on the spot, and his eyes widened. “She told you? And you remembered?”
“What pact?” Lacey asked, her interest piqued and a smile forming on her lips.
“Don’t say it,” Noah demanded at the same time Mack answered.
“Noah, here, fancied himself a charmer and told Jane that if they weren’t married by the time they were…
what was it, Noah? Twenty-five?” Mack chuckled, his warm breath caressing her neck.
“That they should get married to each other. Jane appeased him by agreeing, but I don’t think they realized how the real world worked. ”
It shouldn’t have been possible, but Noah’s skin deepened in color, going from a soft pink to a deep red. “I was a kid.”
“I know,” Mack laughed. “And I think it would be fun to put you two together. You need someone to dance with, and Jane needs someone to keep her company. She doesn’t know many people here. So, what do you say? Gonna help a guy out?”
Noah huffed.
“Don’t pretend you don’t want to,” Mack chided, offering Lacey a knowing grin. “Who knows? Maybe the two of you will hit it off.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Noah muttered. Though the hint of a smile that rested beneath the surface told Lacey all she needed to about Noah’s true feelings. He was going to enjoy tomorrow more than he’d originally planned.
Lacey stood across from Mack, her hands in his as they gazed at one another. The pastor was at their side, talking about love and forever, and all the while, she could only hear her own stuttering heartbeat.
Her wedding day had been a long time coming. If she’d had it her way, she would have just eloped with her two favorite men and done something small.
Apparently, Mack’s extended family wouldn’t have allowed that.
It was fine. She’d been patient despite hating how hard it had been. Their special day had arrived, and there was nothing standing in their way now.
Behind Mack, Bridger stood with the rings.
Mack had made a big deal about him being the best man—even though he could have easily just taken on the role of ring bearer.
But that wasn’t how Mack did things. He showed his love in all the best ways, making the people he cared about know just how special they were.
Lacey had gotten used to tearing up since the moment she’d gotten up this morning, and right about now, she was fighting another wave of tears.
“I do,” Mack said loudly, firmly, so everyone in the seats of the chapel could hear.
Her breath caught. This was actually happening. In a few moments, she’d be Mrs. Mack Reese.
“And do you, Lacey Marianne Tipton, take…”
Lacey’s blood roared in her ears as she waited for the pastor to finish his question. “I do,” she said firmly.
The man continued his speech, finishing off with, “I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The crowd in the church rose as one to their feet, cheering and making far too much noise, but right here, right now, all she could see and hear was him.
Mack grinned at her, shifting closer as if in slow motion, then his mouth captured hers, and he dipped her back. She didn’t think it was possible, but the crowd went even more wild. He tugged her back to his chest then grazed her temple with his lips.
They smiled at all their friends and family, and Mack whispered, “If I had a time machine, I’d use it to relive this exact moment. Over and over again.”
Find out what happens when Noah Reese finds out Jane Ashley, his childhood sweetheart, is back in Rocky Ridge. Will their “engagement” still be a thing or have things changed too much for them to rekindle their relationship?
Come along for their sweet, romantic love story in A Montana Childhood Promise.
And if you haven’t already… grab your free copy of Loving His Boss.
Grace Bolton will soon take over the family ranch from her billionaire father. Until then she wants to prove she can actually do the job. She lies about who she is for a position far away from the Texas town where everyone knows her.
Wyatt Carson is a down-to-earth cowboy not interested in wealth or the people who have it. When he hires on at Calhoun Ranch in Colorado, his new boss seems just like him. He likes her. A lot.
Grace notices his rugged good looks. She said she’d never date a cowboy, but she might break that rule.
Keeping their romance secret is fun. No promises, no commitments. But falling in love is complicated.
Should she tell him who she is? Could she be his perfect match?
And suddenly the questions don't matter. It’s over. Lies and differences sometimes can’t be overcome.
But what if love matters most?