Epilogue Cause For Paws
APRIL
One year later~
“Does it ever not snow for Cause for Paws?” I clapped my hands together, waiting for Bridger to open the cabin door.
Bear was still running circles in the fluffy stuff and trying to eat the snowflakes. At least this year it wasn’t a whole ass blizzard. But this was the coldest I’d been since we’d both made the move to Denver. Who knew Colorado had three-hundred days of sunshine a year?
Bear Claw Valley on the other hand, once again had fresh snow. Good for skiing. Sucky for cute boots. And no, I was never giving up my cute ass boots.
“Not that I can ever remember.” He gave the door a good shake, and it still didn’t budge.
The 5k and the party at the ski resort had been the most successful fundraiser for the charity in its entire history.
Partly because I was an excellent event planner, and partly because half of Colorado had shown up.
I’d always thought Texans made sports a priority, but Denver?
Man, that was a sports-crazy town if I ever lived in one.
They loved that a hometown boy was back. The Mustangs had made him an offer even his shitty agent couldn’t refuse. But Bridger had. And now he was the defense coach for the Denver State Dragons college football team. Next year, he’d be their head coach.
He loved it. I loved seeing him so happy. He was amazing with the kids. Someday soon he was going to be an amazing dad. But he didn’t know that yet.
We didn’t spend as much time here as I would like, but I treasured every moment when we did. Most of my days were spent in Denver, pursuing my dreams and forging my own path, doing something I really felt made a difference this time.
I’d started a non-profit to promote body positivity and inclusivity in the fashion world, helping young models navigate the industry and empowering them to challenge the status quo.
Denver wasn’t the most body positive town, and I found myself fighting fatphobia in small ways and big nearly every day. Especially in the media.
It was challenging work, but incredibly fulfilling.
But there were days I wanted to crawl into a hole when one too many concerned trolls told me to eat a salad.
Bridger was always there to support me, to listen when I needed to vent, to celebrate my victories, and tell the assholes to eat a bag of dicks.
We were a team, in every sense of the word.
Bridger smirked at me, winking. “Sweetheart, could you come here and help me give this stubborn door a good shove?”
Knowing full well he could have easily manhandled that door open himself, I arched an eyebrow but went along with it anyway.
Mustering my strength, we both pushed on the count of three.
The door swung open easily, as if it had never been stuck in the first place.
I sent Bridger a suspicious glance, but he just shrugged, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
As I stepped inside the warm cabin, I was taken with what I saw.
It was aglow with the soft, romantic flicker of dozens of candles, their light dancing on the wooden walls and ceiling, making the whole place feel like a dream.
The rough-around-the-edges cabin we knew so well had been transformed into an intimate sanctuary for just the two of us.
Bridger whistled for Bear, shut the door behind him, and pulled me into our perfectly warm and cozy sanctuary. He wrapped me into a bear hug, our bodies perfectly in sync. I could feel his heart racing in his chest. It matched the rhythm of my own.
“April De la Reine,” he started, his voice shaking slightly with a mix of nervousness and excitement, which was totally out of character for the Bridger I knew and loved. He was all confidence and bravado all the time. Why was he saying my full name? What in the world could be wrong?
He brushed his lips across mine and gah, wasn’t I being silly.
There was nothing wrong, and everything was right.
He was just flirting and trying to get into my pants.
He didn’t have to try this hard. I wasn’t even wearing any panties tonight.
They’d ruin the line of the tight leggings I was wearing.
Bridger went down on one knee and patted his leg for Bear to come over.
Our big ball of fluff spun in a circle and sat down, still wagging his tail.
I think he knew what was going on too. Bridger pulled out a small pouch, which I hadn’t noticed in all the fur, that was attached to Bear’s collar.
He turned it upside down, and a small box dropped into his hand.
My breath hitched as I looked at him, my eyes wide with surprise.
“You know I’m not one to beg. I mean, who could resist all this?” He gestured at his broad chest and muscled arms. His eyes twinkled in the candlelight, his grin boyishly charming.
I was going all swoony and gooey inside. I wanted to scream yes, yes, yes. But I bit my lip to give him the chance to play out his scene and actually pop the question.
“But for you,” he opened the box to reveal a ridiculously huge, sparkling diamond ring, “I’d beg every single day. So, April, will you please be my wife?”
Caught in the golden candlelight, his hope-filled eyes and the immense love I felt for this man, I had only one answer. “Yes,” I whispered, my voice quivering with emotion. “Yes, Bridger. I will.”
I bent and grabbed his face, loving the rough feeling of his beard, and kissed him and kissed him and kissed him. Then, nudging him with a cheeky smile, I added, “And for the record, you look really good on your knees for me, big boy.”
* * *
Need more of the Cocky Kingmans?
Grab The C*ck Down the Block,
book one in this fun sports romance series!