Epilogue
Christmas morning arrived with a bite in the air so sharp it felt like ice slipping beneath the skin.
Deke stared out the window for a moment before he shrugged into his heavy sheepskin coat.
He wrapped the woolen scarf twice around his neck, pulled it up over his nose and ears, then tugged his cowboy hat low, and braced himself for the wind that whipped drifting snowflakes across the yard.
He had given Jonah and the men the day off, so he had to feed and water the horses.
Each breath came out in little puffs of steam as he trudged along the path to the barn.
Knee-deep along each side. He was eager to finish his chores and slip back inside to warmth, laughter, and the glow of the Christmas tree with Ava and Ellie.
Inside the barn, the air was suddenly humid and sweet with hay dust and the faint scent of horses.
Deke set his boot on the feeding stall’s threshold, feeling the soft thud of a hoof as one of the mares shifted.
He filled galvanized buckets with golden oats, then tapped at the icy crust on the water bucket’s edge.
Chipped shards fell onto the straw floor as he refilled the buckets with fresh water, watching steam swirl in the frosty light.
The horses snorted, their warm velvet muzzles grazing his fingertips when he scratched behind their jawbones, and he couldn’t help smiling at the gentle thrum of their breathing.
But even as he worked, his mind buzzed with images of Ellie ripping open brightly wrapped boxes, her curly hair bouncing as she squealed with delight.
Yes, he’d gone a little overboard, but he didn’t regret a single gift.
And Ava… his heart clenched every time he remembered the little black velvet box burning a hole in his coat pocket.
What if she said no? He muttered, “You should have figured this out before buying the ring.”
With the horses fed and watered, Deke stomped snow off his boots on the porch, wiped them on the mat, and peeled off his scarf and hat.
A soft glow spilled from the windows, illuminating powdered snow piled against the sill.
Inside, the rich scent of brewing coffee and a hint of vanilla from holiday candles welcomed him like a warm embrace.
In the kitchen, Ava stood by the coffee maker, her hair loose around her shoulders, the steam rising in swirls. She turned, her face brightening into a smile that made his chest ache. Without a word she came to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest.
“Merry Christmas, love,” she whispered, the words mingling with the hum of the morning.
“Merry Christmas, baby. I think Santa was very good to you,” Deke said, brushing a kiss across her temple.
He shrugged off his coat and hung it on the peg beside his hat, careful not to let the velvet box slip into view as he stuck the box into the pocket of his jeans.
Then he sat and removed his boots, thankful his socks were dry.
Ava shook her head, her laugh soft as wind through pine boughs. “He went overboard.”
“I told you I’d spoil you both.” He reached for her hand, glancing toward the living room where twinkling lights danced across the walls.
Ellie wasn’t up yet, Ava said, and Deke seized his chance. “Let’s get in there before she wakes.”
“Can I finish my coffee first?” Ava held up her mug, steam drifting in the winter light.
“Of course.” He backed away, heart pounding, and began to pace beneath the garland-draped doorway, his socks whispering on the rug.
When Ava finally joined him, her eyes narrowed with concern. “What’s wrong?”
He dropped his gaze. “Nothing.”
She reached for his hand, then sat on the sofa. “You seem… nervous.”
He exhaled, low and urgent. “That’s an understatement.”
Her brow furrowed. He took a trembling breath, sank onto the sofa, and brushed a lock of hair from her face. “Ava, you know I love you.”
She nodded. “I do.”
He stood, dug his hand into the pocket of his jeans, and lifted out the tiny black box.
A soft gasp escaped her lips as he slid to one knee on the patterned rug.
His voice caught; “I love you more than I ever thought possible. I can’t imagine my life without you.
I want you by my side forever. Will you marry me?
” He flipped open the lid to reveal a single diamond, pristine in its platinum setting, catching the lights from the Christmas tree, making prisms dance along the wall.
Tears shone in her eyes as she covered her mouth with both hands. Then she threw her arms around him. “Yes! Yes, of course. I love you so much, Deacon.”
He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, slid the ring onto her finger, and watched it sparkle against her warm skin. “If you don’t like it, you can always pick a different one.”
She shook her head. “I love it because you picked it.”
Ava kissed him softly, then stepped toward the tree. “Come on. Let’s open gifts, Ellie should be up any minute.”
They settled on the floor beneath twinkling lights and swaying tinsel, the rustle of wrapping paper and the pop of ribbon under their fingers.
Laughter filled the room as they unwrapped carefully chosen surprises, each ribbon and bow a promise of memories to come.
Deke smiled when he caught her staring at the ring again.
Then she got up to get Ellie when they heard her call for them.
When Ellie finally ran into the room, Ava behind her, shaking her head, Deke saw Ellie’s eyes widen at the sight of a mountain of dolls and playsets.
She squealed with delight, flinging herself into Deke’s arms and babbling over what she would play with first. Deke sat her on his lap, and his gaze drifted to Ava, who was smoothing Ellie’s curls with a tender smile.
He thought back to the day he’d been sent to Maple Ridge, the day fate had tangled their lives together, revealing a daughter he’d never known existed, and brought Ava back into his life.
He’d never regret that assignment, because it led him here; to a house filled with love, laughter, and the promise of many more Christmas mornings to come.
* * * The End * * *