Epilogue
epilogue
DREW
I stand a few feet away and watch the love of my life do her thing.
It’s freezing. There’s not a soul in sight. And I couldn’t be happier about where I’m standing.
She’s so quick, it’s only seconds when she’s back beside me.
“All good,” I ask as I pull her into my side, attempt to block some of the wind.
“Yes. All good.”
“Are you sure you want to open the library today?”
“Yes. You’ll be at work, and I don’t want to be at home on my own. This way you can tell anyone who has cabin fever we’re open if they need a little socializing.”
She amazes me. She could stay home, where it’s warm, but that isn’t who she is. Like the hand-painted balls she’s been sneaking on to the town tree for years, she’ll open the library to make the people of Evergreen Lake happy.
“All right. Let’s get you to work so I can get out on the road to see how much damage we’re dealing with.”
“I thought Dennis said it wasn’t too bad.”
“He did. But I’m not sure how far out he got. Downtown doesn’t look too bad. A few shovels of snow on the sidewalk should be easy enough to clear. Farther out, especially the roads up to Winter Tree Farm and the ski lodge are probably worse.”
“Stay safe.”
“I will.” I turn us around and head toward the truck. “And I’ll see what we need to do to get married.”
“Oh, good. I was going to look it up when I got to work.”
“You think the info would be online?”
“Don’t see why not. Everything else seems to be.” She laughs and I want to pull her closer, press my lips to hers and breathe the sound in. Hold it tight inside me until I get to hear it again.
“Okay, look it up and text me what you find out.”
“Will do.”
“And don’t go anywhere before I get back.”
“Where would I go?”
“I don’t know but I’d rather you stay inside out of the cold and off the slippery sidewalks.”
“I promise not to go out if you bring me lunch.” She grins up at me.
“Done. Chicken salad on sourdough if Lips & Hips is open.”
“Yes.”
“Hard to believe our first date was only weeks ago. Seems like we’ve been together forever.”
“I know.” She turns and pops up on her toes, her arms looping around my neck. “Let’s get married in front of the tree.”
“Yeah? That mean this week.”
“Yep. And I don’t care who’s there. I just need you and whoever marries us.”
“You’re sure? We can wait.”
“No. I want to start the year off as Mrs. Westwood. Georgie Westwood has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
I grin. “It does. Guess I need to go shopping.”
“Shopping?”
“For rings.”
“Oh!” Her gaze searches mine. “I have some. They were Granny’s and, if you’re okay with it, I’d like to use them.”
“Of course. I love the idea of have your family with us every day.”
Her eyes fill with fluid. “Drew.”
“They better be happy tears.”
She nods before dropping her head to my chest. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I kiss the top of her head. “Now let’s get to work so we can get things organized.”
“I can walk from here.”
“Nope. I’ll drop you off so I know you get inside safely.”
She smiles at me. “I love the way you take care of me.”
“Good, because I’m going to do it for the rest of my life.”
“I can’t wait.”
I can’t either. And with everything in me I hope it’s a long, long life.