Epilogue One
EPILOGUE ONE
MADISON
* Six Months Later *
M y boyfriend is sexy and smart and funny and treats me like a princess. He’s also sometimes ridiculous.
We walk to the car, looking up and down the street in charming downtown Sandersville. He lured me here telling me that I had to see a “fabulous goat”.
I thought it was going to be another bizarre roadside attraction, or maybe a petting zoo. Nope. It was a restaurant. And while lunch at The Tiny Goat Café was indeed fabulous, I’m sure we didn’t drive all this way just for the world’s best turkey, spinach, and three cheese toasted sandwich.
I also think Wyatt may have had too much coffee on the trip out here, since he seems a bit jumpy.
We’ve both been working pretty hard lately. His pharmacy just completed a massive inventory check, and he had to train a new pharmacist since a former employee moved away. Meanwhile, I’ve been run off my feet as the early morning concierge at Aadland Kingsville Plaza.
Adaline’s connection certainly did the trick there. It will take several years, but I know I’ll be in line for a management position at some point. Several glowing online reviews actually mention me by name.
I’m not surprised at all when we drive out to the Aadland Sandersville Lodge and Wyatt parks at the edge of the lot. “I feel like a walk on the beach, don’t you?”
“Sure.”
It’s a sunny, breezy day, with a few clouds softly drifting by. Once we get to the water, it’s warm enough for me to pull off my cardigan and tie it around my waist. Several hours south, it’s definitely a bit warmer than Kingsville at this time of year.
The gentle waves lap at our feet as Wyatt takes my hand, walking very slowly, scanning the rocks.
“Something on your mind?” I ask.
“Yeah…” We take three more steps, then he stops, taking me by the shoulders to turn me to face him. Then he backs me up about a foot.
“You’re starting to freak me out. What’s up?”
He smiles. “This is where you picked up those rocks. Do you still keep yours in your purse?”
Wyatt pulls his stone from his pocket, holding it out to me. I’m touched that he would remember this precise spot. I dig in the side pocket and pull out the matching stone.
“Thanks.” He takes it from me, dropping both of them back in his pocket. Then he falls to one knee, pulling out a small black box and opening it to reveal a large princess cut diamond flanked by sky blue baguette sapphires. “I think you need a much better rock, darlin’.”
Oh … I think I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
“Madison, you are the love of my life,” he continues. “Every single thing about you lights me up. I love how driven you are. How creative and caring you are when serving guests at your hotel, or planning our Saturday night dinners. I simply cannot imagine existence without you.”
His eyes are glowing as he pauses and chuckles. “I once heard a comedian use the term ‘Wife that woman up right now’ and thought it sounded a bit crude. But that’s what I want to do…wife you up. Partly to prove this was never really a fling, we just started out faster than some, but mainly so that you know I’m in this forever. We belong together. Madison, darlin’, would you please do me the extreme honor of becoming my wife?”
I’m already nodding, teary-eyed, fingers shaking as they flutter over my open mouth. There are a few sputtered noises before I manage to form the word, “Yes.” The cool golden band fits perfectly as it slips around my finger. “It’s beautiful.”
“No, you’re beautiful.” Wyatt stands up, holding me close. “The ring is just a fancy way to tell the world you’re mine.”
He moves in for a kiss, but I swerve, bringing my lips to his ear. “You know I secretly love it when you get all possessive, right?”
His hands tighten on my ass. “Yeah. I do.”
He kisses me, softly at first, then it becomes steamier, wilder, until we’re both so short of breath we have to break apart. “We’re staying for the weekend,” he gasps. “The same suite we had before.”
“Perfect.” I look up at Wyatt, hoping that he can see in my eyes everything I’m feeling. “I love you.”
“I love you, gorgeous.”
We turn toward the sun and I snuggle against his chest, simply listening to the waves for a moment.
Then I grip his arm. “Wait. Your family isn’t waiting for us back at the lodge with a team of photographers or anything, right?”
“Absolutely not.” He squeezes me. “We can wait until Christmas to tell them, if you like.”
I sigh with relief, leaning against him. “Sounds good. Thank you.”
Wyatt’s other two sisters came around to Tanya’s way of thinking once they saw that Wyatt and I were truly head over heels for each other. The three of them seem to like me now, but they’re still a handful, especially if Heather’s bubbliness is added to the mix.
“Once you’re officially joining the family, Heather is going to want to sit you down for a movie marathon. Teach you about her good old days.”
It takes all my focus to stop myself from laughing. “Let me guess. I should wear all pink, get diamond earrings to match this ring, eat sushi for lunch during all day detention, and throw a high school dance just outside the county line?”
His jaw drops. “You’ve been studying.”
“Maybe I was secretly hoping that I’d be joining your family one day.” I wave the ring in the sunlight. “Will this make me a princess bride?”
His lips brush my forehead. “ As you wish .”