Epilogue Bradyn
EPILOGUE: brADYN
I’ve faced down enemies on the battlefield that would terrify even the most conditioned soldiers.
I’ve fought, bled, and nearly died. And I did it all without so much as a single anxiety-ridden moment.
But this evening, as I make my way up toward the large barn decorated for the town’s summer kick-off potluck and dance, my stomach is a pit of nerves. Dressed in my nicest jeans and button-down shirt, a cowboy hat on top of my head, I stop right in front of the door.
The music is loud enough that I can hear it clearly, and I know she’s in there. Like a moth drawn to the flame, I can feel her. My love. My Kennedy.
Reaching down, I pat the box tucked away in my pocket.
“You look positively terrified, big brother.”
I turn as Lani steps up beside me, already dressed for the dance in a light blue dress and cowgirl boots. “What are you doing out here?”
“Needed some air for a minute. I tried to wave you over to the picnic tables, but you weren’t paying attention to anything but the barn.” She laughs, gesturing to where she was sitting off to the right.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” She bumps me with her shoulder. “She looks beautiful tonight. Radiant.”
“She always looks beautiful.”
“True, but I thought my repeating it would help you get through the door.”
I laugh. “That obvious?”
“You’re standing here staring at it as though you expect it to open by itself.”
“I’m nervous.”
“You don’t need to be. You know she’s going to say yes.”
“Do I?”
“You do.” Lani loops her arm through mine. “But I’m here to help you get through the door.”
“I love her.”
“She loves you.”
I take a deep breath. God, please grant me courage. Reaching forward, I pull the door open and walk inside with Lani. A band plays up on a makeshift stage while people dance on the floor in front of them.
The potluck is set up on tables across the event space while more tables line the walls.
Riley is dancing with Betty Phillips, a woman of about sixty, the two of them laughing happily, while Dylan, Elliot, and Tucker are all seated at a table, eating with Mom.
I spot Patrick and Melissa, Kennedy’s parents, on the dance floor as well, smiling and holding each other as they spin around and around. Cillian, the veterinarian who helped Kennedy, is even dancing with Patricia Gorden, a woman who owns the local dance studio.
I’m scanning the room for Kennedy when she comes into view. Wearing a beautiful white dress that falls to her knees, cowgirl boots, and a jean jacket, she looks stunning. Absolutely perfect. Her hair has been curled softly, her lips painted in soft pink, and she throws her head back and laughs at something my dad says. He’s currently leading her around the dance floor.
The song ends, and after giving her a hug, he heads back toward the table. She turns, and her gaze lands on me. A wide smile spreads across her face.
“Go get her,” Lani urges, pulling her arm free and giving me a little shove.
I take a deep breath. I can do this. Right?
“Hey, stranger,” Kennedy greets, lifting onto her tiptoes and kissing me softly.
“You look beautiful.”
“Why thank you. You clean up nice too.” She cocks her head to the side. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute? Please?”
“Sure thing.” She links her fingers with mine, offers Cillian and her parents a quick wave then leads me toward the door. As soon as her back is turned, her dad gives me a thumbs up and a big grin while mouthing the words, “You’ve got this.”
Oh, I hope I do.
We head up the stairs and out onto the terrace. Fairy lights are draped over us like stars glittering in the night.
The music has started back up and is drifting upstairs, a slow song that makes for a wonderful backdrop.
“Want to dance?”
“We could have danced down there.” She laughs but loops her arm over my neck anyway. I place my hand on her hip, keeping my other hand in hers, and we start to move.
“But down there, we weren’t alone.”
“True.” She rests her head against my chest, and I hold onto her, moving slowly and enjoying every moment.
“I love you,” I tell her.
She pulls back. “I love you too.”
“I can’t tell you how many nights I prayed for this. For what we have.” I spin her gently then stop moving and take her other hand in mine. “You are everything to me, Kennedy.”
“You’re everything to me too,” she says softly.
I release her hands then reach into my pocket for the box before dropping to one knee.
Kennedy’s eyes go wide and fill with tears. She covers her mouth and stares down at me.
“I want to spend every moment of my life loving you, Kennedy. Will you marry me?”
“Yes. Absolutely yes.” She throws her arms around me, and I nearly fall backward. She kisses me, gripping both sides of my face.
“Yes?”
“Did you really doubt it, Hunt?” She stares down at me, bathed in the light from the twinkling fairy strands above. I take the ring out of the box and slide it onto her finger, sealing the promise.
Then I stand, pulling her up with me. “I love you, Kennedy Smith. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Did she say yes?” someone calls through the door.
“Of course she said yes,” Lani whispers loudly.
“I said yes!” Kennedy yells.
The door opens, and my entire family, the Smiths, and Cillian rush out onto the balcony. Lani immediately heads for Kennedy and hugs her while Patrick comes over and offers me his hand.
“I’m beyond happy that you and Kennedy found each other,” he says.
“Same. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
Patrick wraps his arm around his wife, who beams up at him. “I know that feeling.”
My gaze shifts back to Kennedy as she turns and smiles at me, her entire face radiant in her joy. I’ve spent years bringing the lost back to their families. But I never expected to find a piece of myself in the process. Yet, there she stands, right in front of me.
A part of my soul that I didn’t realize was missing.
Silently, I promise myself that I will do everything in my power to give her the happily ever after she deserves. I know that, no matter what life throws our way, we have God, and we have each other.
And that’s all we need.
Thank you so much for reading! Keep turning the pages for the first three chapters of Elliot’s book, ECHO! Coming soon!