Epilogue
SIERRA
Snowflakes dance around the string lights that are hanging over the pathway. I’m awestruck. “Oh my god, it’s beautiful.”
Cole squeezes my hand. “The ladies did a great job.”
“On such short notice. I’m blown away.”
“The Strong family kicks ass when the pressure is on.”
I smile up at my fiancé. “I know that.” He leans down and touches his lips to mine. Lipstick gets on him.
Laughing, I smudge it away with my thumb.
He nips at my thumb, happiness lighting his eyes with the warmest glow. “Are you ready?”
“Absolutely,” I say with all the conviction in my heart.
“Let’s do this, then.”
He turns me, and hooks my hand in the bend of his arm. My hand is shaking as I hold my bouquet of deep red lilies. But it’s not from cold, I’m wrapped up nice and toasty in a beautiful long gray wool dress coat with pink cashmere gloves and hat.
I’m shaking because I’m cranked up on happiness, my new favorite drug.
Cole’s quiet beside me and I’m enamored with the man, as always.
Mine.
I’m one lucky girl to get such a gorgeous, loving husband. His profile is so strong and handsome next to me it makes me weak.
I float along on a cloud as we walk down the freshly shoveled path, following the gently swaying lights overhead. Laughter and voices carry on the breeze as we draw near the sunken garden at Caleb and his wife’s house.
It’s a nighttime winter wonderland, complete with sparkling lights and falling snow. “I can’t believe this is real.”
He presses his gloved hand over mine. “It’s as real as it gets, babe. And it’s perfect...”
A round of cheers go up when we step into the opening.
A guitar player starts strumming the bridal march.
Wow. We’re getting married!
I’m laughing and crying from happiness at the same time as family and friends toss red rose petals on the snowy path in front of us.
The minister opens his arms to welcome us into the circle of light created by the flaming torches.
It’s fairytale material.
Cole’s brothers and their wives set everything up. It’s so magical, I’m breathless.
The lights and the flakes dance and sway, so beautiful against the black night sky.
I slow Cole’s strides. “Look at all this.”
Luminaries surround the garden, casting a warm glow on the friends and family decked in their winter gear.
In a warm voice, the minister says, “Welcome around, everyone, on this special New Year’s Eve as we come together to celebrate the union of Cole and Sierra as they begin their new life together.”
Cole turns me to face him and gathers my hands in his. His eyes devour me, and my insides heat up like I’m one of those kerosene torches. “You look beautiful.”
I wink and smile so hard my face aches. “You’re a treat for the eyes too, babe.” I let my gaze travel over his big, powerful body.
Tonight, Cole’s dressed in a sherpa lined parka. The sparkling white snow stands out in contrast to his dark brown cowboy hat. He looks even taller and more imposing than usual.
He’s a yummy winter mountain man. And all mine.
Cole nods to the minister to begin. “Ready.”
We say vows that neither of us wrote. We don’t care about that. All we care about is promising our love to each other and starting our little family with the blessings of those we care about.
I’m lost in the ocean-deep love in Cole’s steady eyes when the minister says, “You can now kiss your bride.”
Cole pulls me toward him, crushing my bouquet. I try to tug it loose and we both laugh. Then, he wraps his hand around the back of my neck and kisses the ever living hell out of me.
Somewhere in the distance, I hear catcall whistles.
But none of that matters. I don’t care who is watching. I’ve got eyes only for Cole.
I’m delirious with joy when he lets me go. Everything is wavy and sparkly in my vision from all the happy tears on my lashes.
Liam shoves a glass of champagne in each of our hands, but Cole shakes his head and takes mine away. “None for her.”
His brother frowns. “What kind of doctor do you think I am? Sierra’s is sparkling apple cider. I’m not going to give a mom-to-be champagne.”
Cole grumbles, but relaxes next to me. “You worried me there for a second.”
Liam rolls his eyes, then winks at me. “Somebody’s a little protective of you and that baby.”
I lean into my husband. “I don’t mind. As long as he’s not too bossy.”
“Good luck with that,” says Liam’s wife as she pulls on her husband’s hand. “Honey, you're hogging the bride and groom. Let them have some fun. There are toasts to be made and food to be eaten.”
Cole and I laugh as she drags him away.
He pulls me under his arm. Taps his glass against mine. “To everything. And you know I can’t help being bossy. I just worry about you.”
“I’ll toast to everything. But I get to be bossy back.”
I clink my glass and sip the bubbly gold liquid as he grumbles. Before I have time to say anything else, he whisks me away to the fire pit where everyone is gathered in the warm flickering light.
Before long, we’re being toasted and roasted, or at least, Cole is being roasted, by his brothers.
I’m in tears, laughing at the stories they share. The party goes on into the night as the clock draws closer to the New Year.
“It’s time!” shouts Larson from the top of a hay bale. He kicks off the countdown. Our voices in unison, the entire group counts down to the last second of the year.
God, how much has changed in that year? It makes my head spin to think of it.
“Three, Two, One!” I shout at the top of my lungs. “Happy New Year!”
I take a breath as Cole tips me backward over his arm when the clock strikes. The first kiss of the year.
Tiny snowflakes tingle against my face as he kisses and kisses and kisses me. I finally giggle. When he stands me back up right I’m breathless.
“You’re a maniac!”
“I’m a happy new husband.”
Boy, what a way to start our New Year, our new life, our new family together.
We share hugs with everyone in Cole’s family.
Across the party, I see my brother, smiling and laughing, hugging and wishing everyone happy new year. I’m guessing that only I can see the lingering sadness in his eyes.
My heart fills with bittersweet warmth.
He’s leaving soon. I knew he was turning restless. But Bryan needs to heal his heart from Evelyn’s death in ways that work for him. Wherever that takes him.
Marshall appears in front of me suddenly, blocking out all of the light with his enormous frame. Hugs me in ropey arms the size of tree trunks. Then shakes Cole’s hand. “Hey, I have a little something for you.”
Cole takes an envelope from his boss. “Thank you, but really you didn’t need to…”
We’re suddenly surrounded by Roark, Scotch, and Simona.
“Just a little something.’’ Marshall winks. “Consider it an apology gift and a starting bonus for Sierra.”
I shake my head. “Apology gift… what for?”
Marshall chuckles, “Enjoy your wedding night, guys, because tomorrow is go time. If you’re game, that is. We have a situation.”
Cole blinks twice and looks around at the team. “Damn.” Then my husband glances at me. “Babe?”
I toss my bouquet over my shoulder. “We’re in. Let’s make this happen before I get too big to fit in the cockpit.”
When I turn around, I realize Simona’s standing there, a shocked expression on her face. My bouquet is in her hands.
She shakes her head furiously and shoves the bouquet at me. “Oh no, not me. I don’t believe in that myth!”