Epilogue - Nia
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
"You okay?" Kade asks, his hand warm on the small of my back.
I'm standing in the driveway of the mountain cabin, trying to stay calm.
"Yeah, I just—" I gesture at the two-story structure before us. "This is actually happening."
"Only if you want it to." His thumb traces circles against my spine, grounding me. "We can keep looking."
But I don't want to keep looking. I want this cabin, with its soaring windows and wraparound decks and the mountain views.
The real estate agent—a cheerful woman named Debra who's wearing entirely too much perfume—emerges from her car with a tablet and a bright smile. "Ready to see your potential new home?"
Kade squeezes my hand and waits, eyes patient, until I nod.
"Let's do this."
The interior is even better than the photos they posted. High ceilings with natural wood accents, a rustic fireplace that dominates the great room, and windows—so many windows—that flood the space with summer sunlight.
"As you can see, the great room is perfect for entertaining," Debra says, her heels echoing on the hardwood. "And the kitchen was recently renovated with top-of-the-line appliances..."
She keeps talking, but I've stopped listening.
Because I'm already seeing it.
The enormous Douglas fir that would go right there, by those floor-to-ceiling windows. Garland wrapped around every railing of the loft above. Lights strung along the beams. Stockings hung on that reclaimed wood mantle. The scent of pine and cinnamon filling every corner.
"Angel?" Kade's voice pulls me back. He's watching me with that knowing smile.
I can't help grinning. "Just planning."
"Planning what?" Debra asks, oblivious to the heat in Kade's gaze.
"Oh, you know. Decorating."
"Nia owns a very successful holiday event planning and decoration business," Kade says, with pride. "She's transformed Deepwood Mountain and cities beyond for the holidays."
It's true. Seven months ago, I was avoiding my future and living in my aunt's spare room. Now I'm a full partner with Zoe and Troy at the Christmas Nook, we've expanded to handle holiday weddings and corporate events, and just last week we booked our biggest job yet—the mayor's daughter's wedding.
And Kade? He's officially a Deepwood Mountain deputy now, working alongside Deputy Barlow and Sheriff Quinn. The transfer came through three months ago, and he moved into Aunt Meredith's with me until we could find our own place.
Sharing a bathroom with my boyfriend and my aunt has been...an experience.
Hence the house hunting.
"The primary suite is upstairs," Debra continues, leading us toward the staircase. "Three additional bedrooms, perfect for guests or…children."
Kade's hand tightens on mine.
We follow her up, and I try to focus on Debra’s commentary about the en-suite bathroom and the walk-in closet.
But my mind keeps wandering to Kade's ugly Christmas sweater collection, and whether Aunt Meredith's pecan berry bursts would fit in those kitchen cabinets, and if that reading nook in the loft would be the perfect spot for—
My phone buzzes.
Zoe: How's the house? Is it the one???
Me: Maybe. Definitely. I don't know. Send help.
Zoe: You're decorating it in your head right now, aren't you?
Me: ...no.
Zoe: LIAR. Also, the Marshalls want to move their wedding date…again. Are you sure we can handle the Christmas market and deal with Bridezilla?
Me: We can do anything. Though we may need a Christmas miracle for this one.
I slip my phone back into my pocket to find Kade and Debra waiting at the end of the hallway.
"Sorry, work thing."
"No worries!" Debra beams. "I'll give you two some space to discuss. I'll be downstairs when you're ready."
She click-clacks away, and suddenly it's just me and Kade in this enormous, empty cabin.
Kade moves to the bedroom window, looking out at the picturesque valley below. "What do you think?"
I join him, sliding under his arm. "I think it's perfect. The light is amazing, the layout is great, and—" I pause. "Did you notice the chimney has a cap? No squirrels breaking in to terrorize us."
He laughs, the sound rumbling through his chest. "That was one time."
"One traumatic, cookie-bribing time." I turn to face him. "But seriously, Kade. This is a lot of house."
"You think we need something smaller?"
"No. It's just—" I gesture vaguely. "It seems like just yesterday I was avoiding adulting, and pretending I had my life together. And now we're looking at houses. With multiple bedrooms and—" My voice cracks slightly. "Future children?"
His arms come around me immediately. "Hey. We don't have to rush anything."
"I know. But I want this." I look up at him.
"I want the house, the future, the madness of holidays with your entire family descending on us.
I want Sadie and Ledger bringing Bear over for Sunday dinners.
I want your parents to visit anytime they want.
I want Harlon teaching our hypothetical future children how to track wildlife, and Jayce telling them completely inappropriate DEA stories. "
"Hypothetical future children?" His eyes darken in that way that makes my knees weak.
"Very hypothetical. Like, several years away." I poke his chest. "Don't get any ideas, Deputy Giles."
"Too late." He catches my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. "I've had ideas since the moment I saw you covered in glitter in that shop window.”
My insides do that stupid clenching thing.
"This house is the perfect place to start a family. When we're ready. If we're ready. Whenever you want."
I blink rapidly, trying not to cry.
His thumb brushes my cheek. "I'm so damn proud of you, Christmas angel."
Now I'm definitely crying. "Stop being Mr. Wonderful. You're going to make my mascara run." But I'm laughing through the tears, and he's smiling down at me with so much love it makes my chest ache.
I pull back, wiping my eyes. "Okay. Let's go look at the rest of this place before I turn into a complete puddle."
We explore the other bedrooms—one that would be a great game room, one for guests, and one that we both carefully avoid discussing the purpose of. The bathroom has a huge soaking tub that I can imagine filling with bubbles and Christmas-scented candles.
"You're decorating again," Kade observes. "I can see it on your face."
"Can't help it. It's literally my job now." I head back downstairs. "Besides, you love it when I bring my chaos into your organized life."
"I really do." He follows me down. "Though I maintain that organized chaos is the superior lifestyle."
"Whatever you say, my love.” I wink at him, and he chuckles.
I reach the bottom of the stairs and turn, finding myself in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. Something about the positioning, the way the light falls, makes me pause.
"This," I announce, "is exactly where I’d put the mistletoe.”
Kade's eyebrows rise. "Is it now?"
"Absolutely." I point up at the empty space. "I’d hang it right there. And then every time—"
I don't get to finish because suddenly Kade's there, maneuvering me directly under that imaginary mistletoe.
"Tradition," he says, his voice rough.
Then he kisses me.
A deep, slow kiss—a promise and a celebration wrapped into one. His hands slide into my hair, tilting my head back, and I melt into him the way I always do.
I'm breathless when we finally pull back. "You know there's not actually mistletoe there yet, right?"
"Details." He traces my bottom lip with his thumb.
I grin, remembering how he used to give each sprig a wide berth, like it might explode. "I seem to recall a certain deputy walking sideways to avoid this holiday tradition."
"Because I knew once I kissed you, I’d never want to stop." He kisses me again, softer this time.
"Such the romantic," I murmur against his lips.
We stay like that for a moment, wrapped up in each other.
"I'm planning something," he says. "Once we're settled. Something big. Just so you know."
My heart stutters. Does he mean…proposing?
I kiss him, hard and deep, pouring all of my love into it.
"I can’t wait, Officer," I say, deliberately emphasizing the title.
His hands flex on my waist. "Don't call me that unless you want me to carry you upstairs right now."
"We don't own the house yet."
"I'll buy it today. Right now. Cash offer."
I laugh, even as heat pools low in my belly. "Debra's waiting for us."
"She can wait." But he steps back, adjusting his jeans with a grimace. "You're incorrigible, angel."
I run my hand down his chest, feeling his heart pounding.
He catches my wrist, his grip firm. "Behave."
"Fine." I step back, smoothing my hair. "But only because I want to see this basement.”
We're still flirting playfully when Debra reappears, her smile knowing. "Tell me what you think."
Kade and I exchange a glance. In it, I see our entire future—holidays filled with family, mornings wrapped in each other's arms, a lifetime of his organization and my havoc blending into something beautiful.
"We'll take it," I say.
Debra claps her hands. "Wonderful! I'll draw up the paperwork!"
An hour later, we're driving back down the mountain, our future suddenly very real and very close.
"I love you," he says, and the words make my heart skip. "So damn much."
"I love you too.”
Before, I was lost and grieving, hiding in glitter and avoiding the future.
Now I'm healing and running headfirst toward everything I want.
All because a sexy, tattooed deputy walked into my aunt's shop and asked me to help him create Christmas magic.
Turns out, the magic we created was so much bigger than either of us imagined.
And I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.