Epilogue
FIVE YEARS LATER
Shenna
I’m working with a new trainee at the general store when Jack calls out to me from the back.
“Shenna, we’ve got another delivery.”
“Okay, Jack!” I call out, then turn to Emily, the trainee. “You’ve got the next transaction, right?”
The trainee is a little green, but she just needs a little confidence. “I think so?”
“I’ll be right back,” I tell her, then meet Jack in the alley to help unload the latest delivery.
My idea to feature local arts and crafts at the store has taken off so well that Jack bought up the empty storefront next door last year. The added space has allowed a special kiosk for local handmade soaps, hand-knit winter gear, pottery, blankets, throw rugs, and one-of-a-kind tee shirts. Today, we’re getting a delivery from a boutique baby store in Denver.
Minutes later, the new trainee and I unpack and display all the new items.
“These wool hats are the cutest,” Emily says.
“Aren’t they?”
“I want one in my size,” she says.
“How about my size?” a voice booms from the front of the store.
I turn just in time to see my husband headed toward me. “Maybe not for you. But one for this little guy, for sure.”
I lean down and kiss the top of our two-year-old daughter’s head. Poppy is getting so big so fast. She reaches for me, straining against the harness that Hurley wears to carry her around town.
Together, we work the velcro straps loose, and I pick her up, hoisting her onto my hip. Emily smiles and fits one of the new knit hats on Poppy’s head.
It fits perfectly, but Poppy frowns and tosses it to the floor.
Emily picks it up again and adds it to the display.
“How was the hike?” I ask my husband.
He laughs. “Your daughter is an indoor cat.”
“I think she was less than thrilled about changing her diaper in the woods,” I say.
“You’d be correct.”
“Aw, you take after me, Poppy,” I say, touching the tip of my finger to her nose.
“Heck no. I’m raising her right. She’ll get used to the great outdoors. She’ll make a great little assistant soon,” Hurley says.
I pout. “But she’ll still have a choice in the matter, right?”
Hurley sees that I’m not joking and gently pulls me aside, leaving Emily to finish the display.
“She’ll always have choices. No matter what.”
I swallow at the emotion rising in my throat. “She will.”
Hurley kisses me softly as Poppy shrieks, “Down!”
Laughing, I set her down and she makes a beeline for the toy section.
“I’d better go after her before she tears the place up,” I say.
“I got it,” Hurley replies, chasing after his daughter.
I watch the two of them play together on the floor with the toys from his backpack. Hurley corrects Poppy when she grabs things off the toy display, and it warms my heart to watch this big mountain man. He’s so gentle but firm with her. And she worships her daddy.
Later that evening, we walk down the chilly street to our old Victorian house, with Poppy asleep in the stroller.
When I became pregnant with Poppy, we decided to sell the cabin and move to town. Hurley still charges top dollar for wilderness excursions, but he’s taken the “mountain man” descriptor from his name.
People on the street pass by, most greeting us by name.
I squeeze my husband’s arm. “Did you ever think you’d have so many friends before you ran into me?”
“No, I did not.”
“Are you happy, Hurley?”
“Happier than I ever thought I would be. How about you?”
“I feel safer than I ever thought I would feel. And because of that, I’m happy.”
My husband lifts the sleeping Poppy out of her stroller while I fold it up and haul it up the front steps of our house.
We go inside, to our little bubble of safety, and lock the doors behind us.
THE END
Thank you for reading Married in Misty Mountain. Did you enjoy this story? Be sure to leave a review on lokepub!
The series continues with Owned in Misty Mountain by Imani Jay.
Catch up with the entire series here.
Curious about Sami and Finn? Make sure you’ve read Grump of Misty Mountain by Debra Elise.