Epilogue
EPILOGUE
FIVE MONTHS LATER
Trinity
If someone had told me a billionaire tech executive would one day officiate my wedding to one of my brother’s teammates in a remote Alaska cabin, I would have laughed.
But here we are.
When Linc proposed to me three months ago, we both knew immediately we wanted to get married at the cabin where we fell in love. Skyler was thrilled with the idea and honored when we asked him to officiate.
We never thought our friends and family would set foot inside this cabin, and it was interesting to see their reactions when they first walked in about an hour ago. My brother looked from the bathtub to Lincoln. Then back to the tub, to Lincoln again, his eyes narrowed.
Dalton has heard us talk about taking baths here, and he didn’t seem pleased when he saw that the cabin is one wide-open room where privacy isn’t an option.
He’s good with us being together—he’s even Linc’s best man in the wedding--but he still goes into big brother mode on occasion.
“Without further ado, we are gathered here today to see Lincoln and Trinity pledge their lifetime love and commitment to each other,” Skyler says.
We fast-tracked our wedding plans so some of Linc’s teammates could be here before their preseason starts. Dane Foster, Aaron Parker and Archer Holt are his groomsmen and Aiden Rogers is a guest. Aaron, Aiden and Archer’s wives even came. All three women jumped right into action when they arrived, helping Skyler’s assistants get the floral arrangements set up after they were delivered by snowmobile.
We told Skyler all we wanted was a simple wedding in the cabin and to spend our wedding night alone here. But he insisted on hiring an event planner, who had a heated outdoor tent put up outside the cabin. There’s a wood floor beneath the tent and a long table set with a white tablecloth and elaborate floral centerpieces.
I realized Skyler was right when I saw the portable bathrooms and a separate tent where my bridesmaids and I got ready for the wedding. That would have been harder with just the cabin and the outhouse.
“We all know theirs was an unconventional courtship,” Skyler says, drawing laughs from everyone. “What started as survival blossomed into something beautiful. When I recently stayed with Lincoln and Trinity at their ranch for a few days, Lincoln shared with me that his bride’s resilience is one of his favorite things about her. And resilience is a cornerstone of any good marriage.”
Linc’s gaze is locked onto mine, his hands holding mine. My wedding dress is a simple, off-white, off-the-shoulder gown with long sleeves, pearls dotted over the lace fabric that makes up the sleeves. My hair is down in waves, a delicate beaded tiara atop my head.
I was fortunate to have several cosmetics experts to apply my makeup. Genevieve is my maid of honor and Gloria and Kate are both guests. Three of my close friends from college are my bridesmaids.
Lincoln squeezes my hands gently, taking a deep breath as he starts reciting his vows.
“Trin, we didn’t get off on the best foot. You called me a few names and I... migh t have tried to make all the decisions about our survival without asking your opinion. But I’ve never known anyone who has your strength. You walked miles and miles in the bitter cold with a sprained ankle and you didn’t complain. You showed patience with me when I didn’t always deserve it. The sun was only out for a few hours a day when we were here, but your smile became my sun. My life is infinitely better with you by my side.” His voice trembles with emotion and he pauses to compose himself, Dalton setting a hand on his shoulder. “The worst thing that’s ever happened to me is the plane crash, but it led to the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You. I promise to love you and be faithful to you for the rest of my life, in good times and in bad. You’ve made me a better man. I promise to listen, comfort you when you’re down, take care of you when you’re sick and continue pretending I don’t notice when you sneak extra dogs into the house.”
There’s more laughter and my cheeks warm. I really thought I was slipping that by him. We have thirteen dogs who live in our outdoor kennel building, and some of them have always been outdoor-only dogs. But my heart can’t resist bringing them inside sometimes for snuggles and extra treats.
“Being your husband will be the greatest privilege of my life. I promise to earn it every day, with everything I am.”
He wipes the corner of one eye and I squeeze his hands, impressed he memorized all that. My vows are shorter and I read them from the paper Genevieve passes me.
“Lincoln, you’re my person. My best friend and my partner in all things. If I could make myself a perfect man, he still wouldn’t measure up to you.” I stop to take a breath and fight back the tears pooling in my eyes. “You make me laugh and you take care of me in every way, both big and small. I promise to love you through every storm that comes our way. To always look to you first and never let anyone else inside the sacred walls of our marriage. I love you with my whole heart, today and forever.”
I didn’t want to cry, but I can’t help it. I’m overcome with emotion. We’re back in the cabin where we first held on to each other and never let go. His dad and stepmom and my mom are here. Even his sister Alexandra made the trip all the way from North Carolina, where she lives with her family.
Alexandra and her husband Mike have seven-year-old twins, a boy and a girl named Chase and Charlotte. Linc and I got to have the kids at the ranch for two weeks over the summer, and we had a blast with them. We have a horse at the ranch, Gordie, and the kids couldn’t get enough of riding him, playing with our dogs and hiking through the woods with us.
When Skyler tells Linc he can kiss his bride, I’m officially an aunt. And I hope to soon become a mother, too. We plan to start trying for our first child after Christmas.
I work two days a week as a remote consultant for Allura, and I love it. The rest of the time, Linc and I keep busy with our home and our animals. We cook dinner together every night. Soon we’ll be tuning in to every hockey game the Mammoths play in our home theater.
Linc hopes to get into coaching at some point. He doesn’t care if it’s hockey or another sport. He just wants to help kids connect with sports the way he did when he was young.
Our guests congratulate us and slowly flow out to the tent for the reception. Linc and I find ourselves alone in the cabin, standing in the center of it with his arms around my waist and mine around his shoulders.
“I feel like we should be making some beans and rice on the hot plate,” he cracks. “Maybe getting ready to play some Boggle.”
“We get to stay here tonight. We’re definitely playing Boggle before we consummate this marriage.”
His grin is sexy. “Strip Boggle.”
I laugh. “You’ll be naked before me, guaranteed.”
“We’ll see. I believe I’m the one with the 217–195 Boggle record, big talker.”
“Yes, but I’ve been practicing on my phone.”
He kisses me, his eyes sparkling with happiness. “Can’t we just let everyone else have the reception while we stay here?”
“It’s just a few hours and then we’ll be alone.”
With a reluctant sigh, he gives in, then kisses me again. I smile up at him, happiness radiating warmly through me.
“How you liking marriage so far, Mrs. Rowe?”
“It’s everything I ever hoped for.”
“Just wait ’til tonight.”
He winks and leads me toward the door. I glance back at the cabin, my gaze wandering over the full-size bed we shared, the record player and the simple kitchen. Then I turn and walk through the door with my husband, knowing a beautiful future lies ahead of us.