Epilogue
DORIAN
One year later
“No, it has to be a library,” Mae says, pointing a pair of tongs at Thomas as I walk into The Switchback.
Thomas adjusts his faded Hollow Peak Feed Co. hat and shakes his head adamantly. “Rose garden. Everyone knows it but you, Mae.”
“There’s nothing I don’t know in this town. It’s a library.” She gives me a warm smile as I approach the counter. “Here’s the expert. He’ll tell you.” She looks at me expectantly.
I cock an eyebrow.
Thomas chuckles. “She’s been breathing in too much flour.”
“That coffee just cost you double,” she tells him, then turns back to me. “Since you’re rebuilding Beast’s castle, we’re betting on what you put in it. I say a library, but Thomas is convinced it’s a rose garden.”
The Beast jokes started shortly after Lisette came back into my life and people realized I wasn’t actually going to bite them. They have not improved.
Lisette was devastated by the near destruction of the old Victorian, and the family betrayal that caused it.
Conspiracy and arson charges were filed, and four people went to jail, including Philip Weeks and her stepdad, Richard.
Somehow her mother managed to get by with only community service, but they haven’t spoken in months.
Once Florine’s will cleared the probate process, Lisette became the proud owner of a waterlogged Lincoln from last century and half a burned-down Queen Anne Victorian.
It took some convincing, but Lisette finally let me help rebuild it.
With the money she inherited and the insurance payout, plus my labor, it’s almost complete.
Hollow Peak has taken to calling it Beast Castle since I’ve done much of the work.
“So which is it?” Thomas asks. “A beautiful rose garden or a dusty library no one will ever use?”
“Six cinnamon rolls,” I reply.
Mae throws her hands up like I’m impossible. “All right. Are these for Lisette? Tell her to bring me some Madeleines.” She grabs a box and adds the fresh baked sweets for me.
Lisette loves them. I’m home a day early from Montana and thought I’d surprise her.
“Bring them to me,” Thomas cuts in. “I’ll decide if Mae should have any.”
They immediately begin bickering.
At this rate, I won’t get home until tomorrow. I toss some cash on the counter, take the box from Mae, close the lid, and head for the door.
“Beast, I’ve changed my vote,” Mae calls.
I look back.
She’s leaning on the counter with a mischievous grin. “Instead of a library, that castle needs a nursery!”
Thomas claps, the pearl snaps on his shirt flashing.
I shake my head, hiding a smile, and go surprise my girl.
The exterior of the old Victorian is fully restored, with a new turret, wrap-around porch, and fresh paint. Lisette wanted it to be close to the original colors of light blue with cream and dark gray trim. The work has taken months, but seeing her smile makes every hour and dollar spent worth it.
We’ve been living at my cabin, but lately, Lisette has talked about moving into the Victorian when it’s finished.
We’ve talked a little about having a family.
I know she wants one. She has visions of cooking with the kids in the kitchen of the old house, like when we were young.
Those memories with Florine were some of my happiest, and I want any kids we might have to feel the same kind of love.
I park the truck, grab the box of cinnamon rolls, and climb the steps. Muffled music comes from inside, telling me my girl’s in her new space, working on another book restoration.
I follow the music to the back of the house where we added a large conservatory.
The domed glass room overlooks the hot springs and snow-capped mountains, letting in plenty of natural light for her workspace.
There’s a comfortable sitting area for when we want to curl up together, and beyond the double-doors leading outside, a small path to the newly planted rose garden.
And yes, there is a library. It’s under construction in the turret, but I have no intention of feeding into Mae and Thomas’s nonsense.
Lisette is humming to the music, bent over a thick book while she gently removes the embossed leather from the damaged book board. She’s so focused, she doesn’t hear me approach.
I wait until she’s removed the tool from the leather, then say, “Morning, beautiful.”
Lisette jumps, startled, then flies out of her chair and into my arms. The chair hits the ground with a thud, but I don’t care. She’s perfect.
“Dorian! I thought you were coming home tomorrow.” She cups my cheeks and pulls my head down for a kiss.
“Couldn’t stand to be away another day,” I murmur against her lips.
She hums and lays her head on my shoulder, perking up when she sees the box in my hand. “Are those what I think they are?”
“Have you been a good girl?”
Her laugh is low and sexy, as she nuzzles my neck. “Only for you.”
I kiss her, filling my lungs with her scent and my heart with her love.
Taking her hand, I draw her over to the couch and sink onto the cushions, pulling her onto my lap. She snuggles close, and I give her the box of cinnamon rolls.
“Is this lunch?” she asks.
“Dessert.”
Lisette grins and opens the lid. Then slams it closed.
“Dorian.”
I lean in and kiss her neck. “Hmm?”
“What is that?”
“A box.”
She draws a heart on the lid with her finger. “Yes, but it’s a box within a box.”
“Yes.”
She licks her lips, then slowly opens the lid again.
Six cinnamon rolls are inside and nestled on a napkin on top, a black velvet box.
Lisette touches the pendant at her neck. For Christmas, I bought her a proper necklace to replace the yarn. “But you already gave me jewelry.”
“You’re stalling.” My breath hitches as doubt creeps in. Is it too soon? It’s been a year.
Her hand trembles as she reaches for the box. Inside is an Art Deco style engagement ring with little emeralds on the side. I don’t know much about style, but I was assured…
She gasps and turns to me so fast, the box of cinnamon rolls tumbles to the floor. “Dorian! Where did you get this?”
I gently take the velvet box from her, remove the ring, and hold it up. “I’ve always loved you, Lisette. Be mine? Forever.”
Her hand flies to her mouth as I ask the question.
I draw it away from her lips and slide the ring on her finger.
She stares at it, then me. Her words are soft and full of emotion when she says, “It’s Grandmama Florine’s.”
I clear my throat. “Now yours, if you’ll have me.”
“Yes. Always yes, Dorian.” She throws her arms around me, and the kiss feels like magic.
Florine gave the ring to me just before I left her house the last time I saw her. I think she knew even then that we were meant to be together. And as I settle Lisette on my lap and look out at the mountains, I know she was right.
We’d chosen each other that day on the playground. And now that we’re back together again, we’re choosing forever.
Read the entire Hollow Peak Mountain Men series here.