Epilogue
Two months later
Winter would not let go of her hold on the weather no matter how hard spring fought for control. Another storm had landed four feet of snow on Backwater. Autumn was never gladder to be stuck inside.
She couldn’t believe how much life could change in a short time. Last year if someone had told her she would be engaged to Jett Ryker and planning a wedding, she would have laughed so hard she would have split her jeans.
But here she was, sitting at his table in the kitchen of the main house with Quinn and Karen head-to-head in a bridal magazine. A Christmas wedding was on the horizon.
She and Jett didn’t see any point in waiting, and Christmas was her favorite time of year. Jett wanted to run to the justice of the peace, just the two of them. As much as she loved the spunky woman in town who married those couples seeking non-clergy, Autumn wanted to give Quinn a chance to be a part of a real ceremony built on love, and that would take some time to plan. So Lisa, the justice of the peace, would marry them in December on the ranch with their loved ones surrounding them. And Ives would walk her down the aisle.
He had rented a house in town and started working at the hardware store. She liked having her father back in her life. He still wanted to take Karen out on a date. She still said no.
Vera had moved out of the house. Gage had shown up as Autumn had promised and helped Vera pack her things. He’d driven her to her sister’s house in Wyoming. Autumn would eternally be grateful to Gage.
And Jett had purchased the land. They had arrived at the bank the next morning after their conversation in the stables. Well, they had done a lot more than talk that day. He had taken her into the loft and made love to her twice under horse blankets. She’d pulled hay out of her hair for days.
They had made love almost every day since. She hoped they would go on that way for as long as the universe would allow it. She could never get enough of her man.
Her man . She sighed.
“Everything okay?” Jett said, coming from the office side of the building. He took the mug from her hand, placed it on the table, and kissed each of her knuckles.
“Perfect.” She tipped her chin in the direction of Quinn and his mother. “They’ve been at it all morning.”
“My mom is thrilled to have a wedding to plan since Gage and Kace haven’t done the deed yet. She’s hoping they’ll get on the wagon now.”
“I hope so too. Wouldn’t it be fun if we all got married at the same time?”
“If that’s what you want, darlin’, that is what you will have,” Jett said. “I spoke with Logan. He and Maya chose the couple to adopt their baby. Looks like things will work out for them.”
“Giving the baby up and not getting married was the best option. They’ll see that someday.” She had checked in with Logan regularly too. He struggled with his decision to break up with Maya and move forward. They had made it to the state line when he turned the car around that day. He hadn’t wanted to be married. Autumn wanted to be there to give him support. Markus dropped the ball too often.
“I hope so.”
“No one would guess you’re a worrywart, Jett Ryker.”
He arched a brow.
“How are the renovations coming?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed against him. Maybe not the best behavior in front of others, but too bad.
Her house had been gutted and was being renovated for a ski lodge with gym and sauna. Jett had plans for locker rooms, a bar, and a café. And two more slopes. He was also going to clear the trees between the properties and provide shuttle service. Business was looking up. He was already booking for next ski season.
In the meantime, she and Quinn had moved into his apartment. After the ski lodge was complete, they would build a home on the ranch’s property. Right next door to where Gage planned on building a house for him and Calista.
“Do you think we could sneak away for an hour?” She rubbed against him, and he responded in kind. Maybe make a baby of their own.
“I can take a break before anyone needs me.” He turned to Karen and Quinn. “Mom, I want to show Autumn something at the lodge. Will you two be okay here for a while?”
Karen waved him away. “Quinn and I have a whole day planned. Don’t worry about us.”
Her heart melted because Quinn had the kind of grandmother she deserved. And they both had a whole family to love them.
She looked at Jett and smiled. “Thank you for making all my dreams come true.”
He smiled back. “Same.”