Epilogue
. . .
Lila
Hugh and I were hosting a graduation dinner for Georgia, as we’d all been in the city for her ceremony this morning. She’d driven back to Cottonwood Cove with us because her car was in the shop, and we’d spent the rest of the day setting up for her party.
I hurried to our room to change into my dark skinny jeans, cream sweater, and tall brown boots that came past my knee.
Georgia and I had gone shopping together in the city a few weeks ago, and I’d fallen in love with these boots.
It was cold now as we were in mid-December, and we’d just gotten our first snow fall.
There wasn’t a lot on the ground, but it had definitely stuck, and with the floor-to-ceiling windows in the house, it looked like a winter wonderland outside.
I had the fireplaces going in the family room and the living room, and we’d put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.
The house was festive, and I had candles burning, so the whole place smelled like pine.
Hugh had run to Reynolds’ with his brothers to pick up the food, and I wasn’t sure what was taking so long, but when those three got together, you never knew. Brinkley had just gotten here, and she was filling me in on this football player who was refusing to meet with her.
“Some of these guys are just so full of themselves,” she said, reaching for her wine glass. “And it’s so male dominated with reporters that you have to be pushy.”
“Well, we know you’re good at that.” Georgia laughed. “You will not be pushed around by a bunch of cocky dudes.”
I chuckled, and Brinkley nodded, turning her attention to her younger sister. “Damn straight. So, tell us about this interview you have next week.”
“It’s sort of embarrassing, considering I just graduated from college, but the art gallery pay is just so low that I couldn’t afford to work there and live in the city.
So, the school set me up with an interview with that publishing company, Lancaster Press.
They moved here from the city not that long ago. ”
“Yes. Lots of companies are leaving the hustle and bustle of the city and moving their hubs to more residential areas. The cost of rent is much lower, and it helps the economy for these smaller towns because it offers lots of new jobs to the residents. The Lancasters bought the whole building downtown, so they have a ton of space, and I heard that some people still commute from the city, but they hired a lot of people that live here, as well,” I said.
I was obviously intrigued as I studied finance and watched the market closely.
With Hugh wanting to open a new place in the city, there was a lot to consider financially.
“Oh, yeah. I heard the dude that runs it, Maddox Lancaster, is in his late-twenties and is a broody, hot playboy.” Brinkley waggled her brows.
“How do you possibly know this?” Georgia asked.
“I’m a reporter. It’s my job to know things.
And I’d hear about him when he lived in the city.
Super rich family and drop-dead gorgeous, so everybody wanted to get their claws in the guy.
The Lancasters are like the first family of San Francisco.
But he’s always photographed with different socialites at events, and I’ve yet to see him in a relationship.
But his private life has been kept very… private.”
“Well, it is called a private life for a reason.” I chuckled. “And my brother said he recently bought that big spec house that he built last year. That place is massive.”
“Great. A rich, cocky playboy. This ought to be lots of fun.” Georgia rolled her eyes.
“So, what does the job entail?” I asked.
“Apparently, the guy needs a full-time administrative assistant because he’s so important.” Georgia reached for her wine glass. “And I need a job because I’m pretty broke. I don’t want to be shacking up with you and Hugh forever. You need your privacy.”
Georgia was moving into the casita.
“Don’t be silly. We’re both looking forward to having you here.”
“I just hope I get this job because everything else pays pretty crappy, and I don’t need a lecture from Cage. He’s trying to get me to come work at the front desk at his office. I do not need to be working for my brother.”
“You’re going to get the job. You just graduated from college; you’re overqualified. And you’d be the perfect assistant,” Brinkley said.
“You think so?”
“Yes,” we said at the exact same time and laughed.
“Your calendar is color coordinated,” I reminded her. “You’re always bright and sunny, which makes for a perfect assistant, and you’re upbeat and organized.”
“You’ll get this gig because you’re brilliant and smart and talented. He should be so lucky,” Brinkley said.
The door flew open, and just like that, everyone started pouring in all at once.
I hurried to help Hugh get the food out on the kitchen island, and we all ate and laughed and talked.
Gracie was trying to convince Hugh to get a puppy, and then she made her way over to me, knowing that I’d be the weaker link.
I picked her up and walked over to my boyfriend, and we both started in on him.
“Why don’t you get the dog?” Hugh asked his brother, and he didn’t hide his annoyance. Saying no to Gracie was not easy for him.
I could see Hugh as a father when I watched him with his niece.
I was surprised how easy it was for me to see our future.
I’d always been looking toward the future in regard to what I needed to achieve, but not anymore.
I’d arrived exactly where I was meant to be, and I knew that this man was my forever.
I saw us with a houseful of kids and growing old together.
“Because I’m with animals all day, and Gracie is still too young to take on that much responsibility. But if you are going to let a four-year-old work you, and be a big marshmallow, that’s on you.”
Hugh barked out a laugh. “Says the man who dressed like a unicorn for Halloween.”
Cage reached for his daughter and kissed her on the cheek. “Go ask Grandma if she likes dogs.”
He set her down, and she ran off.
“I’m getting her the damn dog for Christmas. I’m just trying to keep it a surprise,” Cage hissed, and Hugh wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
“So, who’s the marshmallow now?”
“I’m the fucking marshmallow. Is that what you want to hear?” Cage moved toward the island to get a second plate of food.
Hugh leaned down close to my ear. “Hey. I have a little surprise for you after we get everyone out of here.” His tongue dipped out to wet his lips, and I could feel my cheeks heat. Something about the way he looked at me got me every damn time.
“What are you up to? You didn’t already get a dog, did you?” I whispered, my hands moving beneath his hoody so I could feel his warm skin as I slid up the sides of his ribs.
“It’s not a dog, but I think you’ll like it.” He nipped at my bottom lip just as Georgie barreled up beside us.
“I hate to ruin this steam fest going on over here in the middle of your kitchen during my graduation party,” she said, with a goofy smile on her face. “Can we do cake now, because a bunch of my high school friends want to meet over at Garrity’s to celebrate.”
I pulled my hands away, already missing the feel of him beneath my fingertips.
Brinkley and Alana met me at the island, and they started clearing off the platters as I pulled out the graduation cake.
I heard Hugh giving his youngest sister advice about her interview next week, and he told her to just be herself.
And then Cage walked up and told her it was all about selling yourself.
Finn jumped in and told her that men in powerful positions like confident women, so go in there and act like you own the room.
And then all three of them argued about whose advice was better.
Everyone gathered around the island, and we all congratulated Georgia before cutting the cute cake that was the shape of a giant graduation cap.
I’d pushed for Hugh to hire a pastry chef who I’d interviewed for the restaurant, and he’d agreed.
People were so crazy about the desserts, we were considering opening a small bakery in the open space next to Reynolds’.
I loved brainstorming with him about different ways that we could grow the business, but maybe that was just because I loved being with him so much.
We ate cake, and chatter filled the open space before Georgia said she needed to go.
Everyone started the infamous Reynolds goodbye, making their rounds and heading out the door.
Alana hugged Hugh a little longer than usual, patting his cheek and beaming up at him.
They were such a loving family, and I was thrilled to feel like such a part of it.
Once everyone was gone, Hugh got my coat and helped me slip into it. “I want to show you something.”
“Okay,” I said, curious what this big surprise was. He zipped up his coat and then put a beanie over my head before grabbing his.
“Come on.” He reached for my hand and led me out the door and down the street before cutting up the path to the cove. It was our favorite place to go late at night when the tide was coming in.
“Was your mom okay tonight? She gave you an awfully long hug.”
“She’s just really happy for us.” He tugged me closer, pulling me in front of his big body and wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
“You aren’t planning to skinny dip in that freezing water, are you?” I asked, as he held up a branch, and I ducked beneath it.
“Not tonight.” He chuckled, and we continued walking toward the cove.
There were lights up ahead, and I gasped when we came around the final turn.
There was a big blanket set out, with rose petals on the ground all around it.
A metal fire pit sat a few feet away, with a roaring flame that I recognized from our backyard.
Dozens of white candles—that were clearly battery operated or the whole place would have gone up in flames—lined a path down to the blanket.
Even the surrounding trees were covered in little white twinkle lights.
Two vases overflowing with wildflowers sat on the blanket alongside a bottle of wine and a platter with what looked like cupcakes and chocolate-covered strawberries.
My favorite. My hands covered my mouth as it nearly took my breath away.
I whipped around when I realized Hugh no longer had his arms around me.
There he was. This big, sexy bear of a man, down on one knee. His hair was tucked beneath his beanie, and the twinkle lights allowed just enough light to let me see the depth of those sage-green eyes of his.
“What are you doing?” I gasped, dropping to my knees in front of him.
“I don’t think you’re supposed to get down on your knees.” He chuckled, and I scooched forward.
“I go where you go,” I said, my words breaking on a sob.
He smiled, and my stomach fluttered just like it always did around him. He reached up and swiped the single tear rolling down my cheek. “I love you, Lila Mae James. You make me want to be a better man.”
A sob escaped my throat, and he leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine, knowing it would comfort me. “No crying, baby.”
“Okay,” I whispered, as I tried to muffle the sob that was slowly sneaking out.
“You make me want things I never knew I’d want. And I want them all with you. I knew the minute you came into the bar to talk about your schedule that I was a ruined man.” He leaned down and kissed me.
“Will you marry me, Snow?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” I shouted, my hands on each side of his handsome face as I tugged him down for a kiss.
“You sure about that? You want to do forever with me?” he asked, when he pulled back.
“I’m positive.”
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a little black box. When he opened it, I shook my head frantically, pushing back the tears because I’d never seen anything more beautiful.
It was a square diamond on a platinum band, with little diamonds surrounding it.
“Yeah?” He took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto my finger.
“It’s absolutely stunning. I love it. I love you.” I shook my head with disbelief, still processing that all of this was happening.
Hugh pushed to his feet and helped me to mine, leading me over to the blanket beside the fire.
“Thanks for saying yes,” he said, one brow raised as we both dropped down to sit.
“Thanks for asking,” I teased. “How did you pull all this off?”
“My brothers and my parents helped set it up while you hung out with Brinks and Georgie. And then Travis and Brax were down here getting the fire going when I texted to say we were on our way. So, it was a group effort.” He chuckled.
“And I went by to see your dad a few days ago and asked if he’d be okay with it, and he got all weepy and emotional. ”
“Thank you for including him. I can’t believe you did all this.” I glanced around, taking in all the little details. The fire danced in front of us, and the water splashed against the shore in the distance. I couldn’t think of a more romantic setting. “It’s perfectly us.”
He leaned close to me, holding up a white-chocolate strawberry, and I wrapped my lips around it, taking a big bite and groaning.
I thought Hugh would grab one for himself, but instead, he tugged me forward, his mouth covering mine.
He kissed me like it was the first time.
He kissed me like it was the last time.
He kissed me like it was forever.