Epilogue
Holiday
Summer
“That’s the last of it.”
I turned away from the amazing views outside my new living room window and smiled at Tanner as he set the box of books on the floor by the built-in bookshelves.
My eyes widened in surprise. “That’s everything out of the truck?”
Tanner let out a snort. “Hell no. I just meant that’s the last of the books.”
Between the two of us, we had enough books to make a library of our very own, and as I stared at the boxes, I couldn’t help but think about which room I wanted to convert.
A lot had happened over the past several months.
The owners of the cabin Tanner had been renting accepted his offer, and then as soon as the ink dried on the papers, he asked me to move in with him.
It had been a no-brainer. Sure, I loved my little apartment above One More Chapter, and the commute couldn’t be beat, but the cabin in the woods somehow managed to be grand and cozy at the same time; it was the kind of house I’d only dreamed of living in.
I wanted to make it a home for both of us, and—fingers crossed—maybe our own family one day. But those were thoughts for further into the future.
Tanner was officially retired from the NHL and was already in talks with the youth league about coaching. They’d tripped over themselves to say yes when he inquired. I mean, what could be better than having a two-time Stanley Cup winner as a coach?
Since Tanner’s showdown with our mother, I hadn’t heard a peep from her, and I couldn’t find it in me to be sad about that. I didn’t need her in my life, not when it was already so full of people who loved and supported me.
“Jesus, will you quit slacking off and help me get this damn thing through the door?”
“I am helping!”
I turned just as Tanner’s former teammates and friends, Caleb and Mateo maneuvered one half of a large sectional into the living room.
With it being summer, the hockey season was officially over, so Tanner’s friends had agreed to help with the move.
Tanner headed back to DC for a few days to pack up the rest of his apartment, and the three of them, plus Luke, made the trip to Hope Valley to help their friend settle into his new home.
Where Luke was a solid, stable presence, Caleb and Mateo were hilarious chaos.
It was easy to see why the four of them were as close as they were, and I loved that my man had that close circle of friends that were more like family.
“You are not,” Mateo snapped. “Lift with your legs, you lazy bastard.”
“I’ve got my end, you’re the lazy bastard,” Caleb gritted through clenched teeth and he shifted his hold on his end of the couch. “We get back to DC, I’m gonna beat your ass.”
I tried to cover my laugh with a cough and failed miserably.
“Language!”
The sharp reprimand was followed by Tanner’s mother entering the room, carrying a floor lamp in one hand and Yoda in the other.
Tanner’s mother, Elaine, and step-father, Andrew, had come to Hope Valley for a visit not long after Tanner took care of everything with Peggy, and it took no time at all for me to fall in love with the woman.
She was smart and sassy and hilarious. She had her husband wrapped around her little finger, and watching the two of them together made me excited for the future I’d have with Tanner.
I wasn’t the only one who’d taken a liking to the woman who was responsible for raising the most amazing man in the world. Yoda had developed a crush in no time, and I was starting to think that my cat liked her more than me.
“Sorry,” the two grown ass men mumbled like they were school children being lectured by a teacher.
Elaine caught my eye and winked, her eyes—the very same eyes as Tanner—glittered with humor.
Tanner rushed over to help before the two of them broke something, and I left them to the heavy lifting as I headed to the kitchen.
It wasn’t just Tanner’s friends helping us to set up our new life. My family was also there, along with my whole circle of friends.
Tristan and Merritt were out back, keeping an eye on her nephews, Levi and Toby, as they explored the property around the cabin.
Rhodes and Blythe had brought enough pizza to feed an army.
Rae was kicked back on one of the Adirondak chairs on the front porch, enjoying the sun and shouting orders at Zach as she cradled their precious baby girl, Ellie, against her chest. Connor and Raylan were helping unload the rest of our things with Andrew, Lee, and Marco, while my sisters, Lennix, and Naomi were in the kitchen, unpacking the bazillion boxes of dishes and appliances.
As I stood in the middle of the open space, taking in the fact that everyone I loved was here with me, a warmth unlike anything I’d ever experienced filled my chest and spread out into my limbs. This was what I’d been looking for my whole life. What I’d started to think wasn’t meant for me.
Until I met a man who gave me my everything.
Tanner caught me watching him, a smile playing across his lips as he moved in my direction. Just like always, as soon as he was close enough, he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me into his chest.
“What’s on your mind, Sunshine?
I shrugged my shoulders as I rested my palms on his chest. Tilting my head back, I smiled up at the man I loved with every single beautifully broken piece of me. When he cupped the side of my neck, I leaned into his touch. “I was just thinking about how lucky I am.”
His expression turned tender. “Is that right?”
“Yeah. I have my family, my friends, and the man I love all under one roof. I don’t think there’s anything better than that.”
Tanner let out a hum of mock thought. “See, I’m not so sure about that.” I arched a brow in question. “I think it actually could get better. But that depends on one thing.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen as he lowered onto one knee. The breath whooshed from my lungs, and I vaguely noticed everyone had gathered around. I felt them watching us, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the man kneeling in front of me.
“When I was injured, I thought I lost everything, that my life was over. What I didn’t realize was that it was only getting started.
The moment I walked into your bookstore, you lit up my entire world.
You are my new beginning, and I want nothing more than for you to be my ending as well.
So, Holiday Bradbury, will you make me the happiest man on earth and be my wife? ”
“Yes,” I said on a single breath. the smile wreathing my face was so big my cheeks hurt. “Yes!” I repeated on a shout. Tanner shot to his feet and scooped me up, spinning me in a circle as I laughed and everyone who loved us cheered for the next chapter we were about to start.
When he finally put me down, he slid the ring onto my finger and sealed my lips with his, pouring every ounce of love he had for me into that kiss.
He pulled away enough to rest his forehead against mine. “You ready to start forever with me, baby?”
I grinned up at my future husband. “I can’t wait.”
The End.
Thank you so much for for reading Tanner and Holly’s story.