Epilogue #2
Gone was her long blond hair. It had been cut into a shoulder-length bob that made her appear older and more conservative.
Otherwise, she looked exactly as she had five years ago.
The same Dalton blue eyes as the rest of them and that impish smile that always made his parents cave whenever she was in trouble.
“Hi, everyone.” She gave a jerky wave and Sawyer noted that her eyes were wet.
His too. He reached out and touched the screen as if could feel her face.
“They’re only giving me a few minutes,” she continued. “I just wanted everyone to know that I’m fine, that I’m safe, and that I love you.”
Sawyer’s mother began to sob.
“When can you come home, Angie?” Sawyer’s voice cracked.
She shrugged and flashed a sheepish grin.
But this time the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Someday, I hope. I miss you all like crazy. But I’m good.
I have a nice job, a cute place to live, friends.
Really, it’s all good.” She stopped to catch her breath.
“Mom, Dad, don’t cry. Think of it as I’m away on a long vacation. ”
“Can we come see you?” Sawyer knew it was against WITSEC rules, but so was FaceTiming. Cash had obviously pulled strings. Maybe the feds would make an exception for a visit too.
“Nah.” Angie tried to smile again. “Let’s see what happens, okay?
Enough about me, I’m dying to hear about you.
” She searched the dining room for the kids and the moment she spotted them, waved.
“Hi, Ellie, I haven’t met you yet. You’re so pretty.
You look just like your daddy. And Grady, the last time I saw you, you were just four years old.
My goodness, you’ve grown. You too, Travis.
You’re almost as tall as Jace.” Angie surveyed the room again. “Where’s Gina?”
Gina moved closer to the camera. “I’m here. It’s lovely to finally meet you, Angela.”
“I love your show. Cash says you’re opening a restaurant at the ranch and that my brother is crazy about you.”
“I’m crazy about him too,” Gina said in a soft voice and swiped at her eyes. “I’m glad you’re safe, Angie. Sawyer has missed you so. Well, I don’t want to take away time from everyone else.” She rose and joined Charlie and Aubrey in the living room. Sawyer knew it was to give them privacy.
Wendy and Dan spent the remaining time telling Angie how much they loved and missed her, how her disappearance had left them brokenhearted. How relieved they were that she was alive and well.
Seeing her like this—so close up—but knowing she was likely thousands of miles away was maddening. The big family milestones—the births of the new Dalton babies, Travis’s high school graduation, their parents’ fortieth anniversary—she would miss them all.
“As soon as you can, come home, Angie. I want you at my wedding.”
Everyone around the table gaped at him. There hadn’t been a marriage proposal yet, let alone an announcement.
Hell with it. If Angela couldn’t come home, she could at least be part of the most important day of his life.
“Gina, come back in here for a sec,” he called to the other room.
She rushed in, Aubrey and Charlie on her heels. Sawyer positioned the computer screen so Angie could see better, then tugged Gina closer.
“Let’s do this, baby, let’s get hitched.” He got down on one knee. “Gina DeRose, will you make me the happiest man alive by marrying me and being my wife?”
There was a collective round of “ahs.”
Normally, he wouldn’t have turned something so momentous as a proposal into a public spectacle. He’d really intended to pop the question in private. Just Gina and him, somewhere on the ranch. Maybe down by the creek where he’d taught her how to skip stones.
But as long as Angie couldn’t see him walk down the aisle and celebrate his wedding day, they would at least have this. Even if it was only on FaceTime. Even if he had to propose in front of a large audience.
He grabbed the foil left over from the Dom Pérignon bottle and wrapped it around Gina’s finger. “Don’t say no.” He squeezed her hand. “You’ll break my sister’s heart.”
Gina laughed as she swiped tears from her eyes. “Yes, I will marry you. And what the heck took you so long?”
The room erupted in laughter.
“Been a little busy. But I promise it was worth the wait. You won’t ever be sorry, Gina DeRose,” he said and got a little choked up. “Because I won’t ever stop loving you.”
“Me neither.” Gina peered up at him through long lashes and for a long time they stared into each other’s eyes. “I’ve waited for you my whole life and I’m never letting you go, Sawyer Dalton.”
“I’m so happy for you both,” Angie called from the screen, her eyes watery. “They’re telling me I have to go now. Take good care of my big brother, Gina.” And just like that she was gone.
A hush fell over the room. No one seemed to know whether to mourn or celebrate. The silence seemed to go on forever, filling the room with melancholia.
Suddenly, Wendy rose and gathered Sawyer and Gina in her arms. “We have a wedding to plan.”
Everyone began talking at once, wishing the couple congratulations, slapping Sawyer on the back, and hugging Gina.
“I presume you’ll want it on the ranch,” Wendy continued. Both he and Gina nodded, because where else would they have it?
“Charlie’s barn,” Gina blurted. “I mean, if that’s okay.”
“Are you kidding? We’d love nothing more,” Charlie said. “We’ll move all the furniture to the back offices and anywhere else we can find space.”
“We can use the restaurant too.” Gina clapped her hands together. “Dinner in the steak house and dancing in the barn. The ceremony under the stars.” She drew back. “What do you think, Sawyer?”
“As long as I get you. we can throw whatever kind of party you want.” He pulled her into his arms, pressed his lips against her ear, and whispered, “A real ring soon and a proposal that isn’t in front of everyone. Something romantic.”
“I love you, Sawyer. And I can’t wait to be your wife. I’m glad you included Angie. It was a lovely thing to do.” She stroked his face. “Are you okay?”
It was a mixed bag. His sister should be in the bosom of her family, celebrating their new acquisition. But six months ago he didn’t even know if she was still alive. So when he looked at it like that—hell, yeah he was okay.
And the real silver lining was he’d just gotten engaged to the love of his life. “Better than okay, baby. This weekend, we do this right.” He held up her hand and gave her ring finger a squeeze. He’d book a room at the St. Francis and take her to the diamond district.
Before he could say more, Aubrey, Charlie, Wendy, and his aunt whisked her away for wedding talk.
Cash came over and rested his hand on Sawyer’s shoulder. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks and thanks for greasing whatever wheels necessary to set that call up with Angie. It meant the world to us, Cash. I only wish…” he trailed off. Cash had done all he could.
“Who knows”—the edges of Cash’s mouth kicked up—“maybe Angie will be able to make it to the wedding after all? Stranger things have happened.” Cash winked and sauntered away to talk to Jace.
Sawyer looked after him, wondering if that was wishful thinking or if Cash was actually trying to tell him something.
Son of a gun.
Sawyer broke into a wide grin.
“What are you smiling about?” Gina sidled up beside him.
“Just happy is all. What do you say we blow this gin joint and celebrate in private?”
“I’d say let’s do it.”
A rush of cold air hit them as they walked outside, hand in hand. The snowcapped mountains were shrouded in fog, making them look like magic clouds. The grass was green and wet and smelled like fresh-cut hay.
From the front yard he could hear the gurgle of the creek that divided the two ranches and wondered how long it would take before they started calling Beals Ranch Dry Creek Ranch.
Perhaps they never would and that was okay. A tradition upheld.
Next month, the cows would start calving and Gina’s restaurant would open in June.
Sawyer wrapped his arms around Gina and turned her so they could both behold the beauty of the land and their future together.
It was going to be a good year. A very good year.