Epilogue - Frankie
One Month Later
The morning rush at the Heart's Delight is finally winding down. I wipe down the counter, smiling as Henry grumbles good-naturedly about the grill. The last few customers linger over their coffee, laptops open as they take advantage of our Wi-Fi.
“Order up for table six,” Henry calls, sliding a plate of his famous pecan waffles across the pass-through.
I deliver the order to Mrs. Ramirez, who's reading her romance novel in her usual corner booth.
“Extra syrup, just how you like it.”
She smiles. “Thank you, querida. Expecting your handsome pilot soon?”
“Any minute now!” My stomach flutters in that familiar way it does whenever I think of Ryder.
A month together, and that flutter hasn't faded a bit. If anything, it's grown stronger as I've watched Ryder transform from the silent, cold customer to the open, gregarious man he is now.
The bell above the door jingles. My heart does that ridiculous skip when I see him; tall and broad-shouldered in his SAR uniform, his dark hair slightly ruffled from the helicopter helmet. His eyes find mine immediately, his face breaking into that lopsided smile that still makes me weak at the knees.
Ryder crosses the diner in a few long strides. Instead of taking his usual seat at the counter, he comes around it and pulls me into his arms, planting a kiss on my lips.
“Morning gorgeous,” he says against my mouth, his voice low.
“Morning yourself,” I reply, my cheeks heating as I become aware of our audience. “You're in a good mood.”
“Just did a sunrise test flight over Willow Pass. The mountain lakes at dawn… you should see them, Frankie. Like mirrors reflecting the sky."
Henry appears from the kitchen, spatula in hand. “You going to order something, Blake, or just distract my boss all morning?”
“Both,” Ryder grins, completely unfazed. He slides onto his usual stool but keeps hold of my hand across the counter. “Coffee, black. And how about those blueberry pancakes?”
“You bet," I say, pouring his coffee with my free hand.
He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “Perfect.”
“What are you up to today?”
“Training run for the new system Marcus is trialling this afternoon. Then dinner at Mom's.” He takes a sip of coffee. “She's expecting both of us. Apparently she's trying a new recipe she found online.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Definitely. She’s in an experimental phase–”
The bell jingles again, cutting him off. Hunter walks in, looking uncharacteristically distracted. His normally confident stride is hesitant as he approaches the counter, his eyes darting around as if checking for eavesdroppers.
“Morning, Hunter. Coffee?”
“Yeah, thanks.” He slides onto the stool next to Ryder.
“Everything okay?” Ryder asks, turning to his brother.
He takes a deep breath. “I got a call from Viper last night.”
“From your MC?” Ryder's expression shifts to concern. “Is he in trouble?”
“No, but someone else might be soon.” Hunter pulls out his phone, lowering his voice. “He heard about this woman coming to Ember Heart. Mail-order bride situation, coming to marry Mike Holloway.”
“That trucker?” I ask, a chill running through me. Everyone in town knows Mike Holloway's reputation. He’s a heavy drinker with a mean temper, who’s been through two wives already.
Hunter nods grimly. “Viper found out because Mike's been bragging about it at the Rusty Nail, how he's bought himself a bride who'll ‘know her place.’”
Ryder's jaw tightens. “That doesn't sound good.”
“It gets worse. Viper found a photo of her. Look.”
I lean over with Ryder to see the screen. The photo shows a young woman with dark curly hair and striking amber-colored eyes. She's pretty in a delicate way, but there's something vulnerable in her expression that tugs at my heart.
“Her name's Trinity,” Hunter continues. “She's arriving on the bus tomorrow. No idea what she's walking into.”
“So what are you planning to do?” I ask, though I can already guess from the determined look in Hunter's eyes.
“I'm going to meet that bus. Before Holloway does.”
Ryder studies his brother. "And then what?"
"I don't know yet." Hunter runs a hand through his hair again. “Offer her options. A place to stay if she needs it.”
“Your cabin?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Yes.” Hunter doesn't back down. “I can take the couch.”
His gaze lingers on the phone before it disappears into his pocket.
“You're smitten already. Just from a photo!” Ryder says.
Hunter doesn't deny it, looking out the window and sipping his coffee.
I exchange a knowing look with Ryder. “The whole knight-in-shining-armor thing must run in the family.”
Ryder smiles, reaching for my hand. “Worked out pretty well for me.”
Hunter downs the rest of his coffee. “I should go. Need to prepare for tomorrow. Make sure the cabin's... presentable.”
“By which you mean habitable for an actual human woman?” Ryder teases.
“Something like that. You think I'm crazy, don't you?”
I shake my head. “No. I think you're a good man trying to stop something bad from happening.”
“Just be careful,” Ryder adds. “Holloway's not the type to back down easily.”
Hunter's expression hardens. “Neither am I.”
“Only Hunter.” Ryder shakes his head, but there's fondness in his voice. “He's always had a soft spot for people in trouble.”
“Must run in the family,” I say, giving him a pointed look.
He laughs, the sound still new enough to delight me. “Maybe. Though I've officially retired from the rescue business.”
“Oh really? Shall I let Logan know?” I raise an eyebrow. “Since when?”
“Since I realized I'm the one who needed rescuing all along. You saved me, Frankie.”
“I’m pretty sure we saved each other,” I lean forward to brush a soft kiss across his lips.
* * *