28. Epilogue #2
"She taught me that love isn't something you earn.
It's something you choose. Every morning, every fight, every moment when life gets messy and complicated.
" He raises his champagne flute. "So here's to choosing each other.
Here's to beautiful disasters. And here's to the woman who saved my life by being too stubborn to let me hide from hers. "
The crowd erupts, and I'm pretty sure half the town is crying, including Betty who's now full-on sobbing into her dinner roll.
The dancing starts with our first dance, and I swear half the women in attendance let out dreamy sighs as Beau leads me onto the floor.
"You know…" I whisper as he spins me in a twirl beneath his arm. "For a man who claims to hate crowds, you're awfully good at performing for one."
"I'm full of surprises, Mrs. Callahan," he rumbles against my ear, his hand sliding dangerously low on my back. "Wait until you see what else I can do when we're alone."
"Beau!" I laugh, swatting his chest even as heat pools in my belly. "We're in public!"
"Not for much longer," he promises, dipping me so low my veil trails across the dance floor. When he pulls me back up, his eyes are dark with promise. "I've been watching you in this dress all night, and I'm about five minutes away from carrying you out of here caveman-style."
"You wouldn't dare."
His grin is absolutely wicked. "Try me."
The song ends and other couples join us on the floor. I watch Sienna dancing with David, while Maisie twirls around the edges in her flower girl dress, collecting rose petals in her skirt.
"Aunt Molly!" she calls, bouncing over to us. "Can I dance with Beau too? Please?"
"Of course you can, princess," Beau says, immediately dropping to one knee so they're the same height. "But I have to warn you, I only know how to dance like a lumberjack."
Maisie giggles. "That's okay! I only know how to dance like a fairy!"
What follows is the most adorable three minutes of my life as Beau lets a six-year-old lead him around the dance floor, his massive frame following her tiny twirls with complete seriousness.
"He's going to be such a good dad," Sienna says, appearing beside me with champagne and misty eyes.
"Don't," I warn, already feeling emotional. "You'll make me cry and ruin my makeup."
"Too late," she grins, handing me a tissue. "But don't worry, you're one of those annoying people who look beautiful when they cry."
As the evening winds down and guests start to filter out with promises to help clean up tomorrow, Beau's hands find my waist, pulling me into the shadows at the edge of the meadow.
"Having fun, Mrs. Callahan?" he asks, backing me against one of the silk-draped trees.
"The absolute best," I breathe, my hands fisting in his tuxedo jacket. "But I have to ask, Mr. Grumpy… where on earth did you learn to dance like that?"
"YouTube," he admits with a sheepish grin. "Spent three weeks watching ballroom dancing videos. Nearly threw my laptop out the window twice."
"You bought a laptop?!" My jaw drops. " And you learned to dance for me?"
"I told you… I'm full of surprises. But baby, I'd learn to fly if it made you smile like that."
Suddenly, without any notice or forewarning whatsoever, he sweeps me up and tosses me over his shoulder in one fluid motion, making me shriek with laughter as my dress billows around us like a fluffy cloud.
"Beau Callahan! Put me down this instant!"
"Absolutely not," he growls, his hand firmly planted on my ass as he strides toward the parking area. "I've been patient all night, but I'm done sharing you with the entire town."
"But the cleanup! And we haven't cut the cake!"
"Etta and Mabel can handle the cleanup. And the cake?" He pauses beside his truck, shifting me to look at his face. "I've got something much sweeter in mind for dessert."
The remaining guests cheer and whistle as he opens the passenger door, and I catch sight of Jamie raising his beer in salute while Betty fans herself with her program.
I laugh as Beau gently deposits me in the seat, taking care with my dress.
"You love me," he says confidently, leaning in to nip at my ear. "And you're going to love what I have planned for our wedding night even more."
"Oh really? And what exactly do you have planned?"
His smile is pure sin as he buckles my seatbelt. "Let's just say I intend to thoroughly celebrate our new marital status. Multiple times. In multiple ways."
"How multiple are we talking?"
"Put it this way, Mrs. Callahan," he grunts deeply, starting the engine. "I plan on keeping you in our bed until you're carrying my babies and can't remember your own name from pleasure."
My breath catches at the raw promise in his voice.
"Drive faster," I demand.
"Yes, ma'am," he grins, pulling out of the meadow as our guests wave us off into our perfectly imperfect forever.
The end… for now.
Want to see what happens after the happily ever after?
Get ready for rose petals, massage oil, and a very pregnant Molly being absolutely worshipped by her mountain man husband.
Beau's about to show you exactly how he takes care of his new wife... and trust us, it's worth every steamy minute.