53. Epilogue - Cassidy
2 Years Later
Michelle was already waiting at our usual corner booth when I arrived at the café, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug. She looked up and smiled as I approached.
“Right on time,” she said.
“Couldn’t risk you texting me ‘Where are you?’ in all caps.” I slid into the booth and let out a long breath. Today was a weird day.
“Fair, I can be a little intense.”
Smiling, I held up both hands. “Hey, I’m not one to talk.” The server came by with a latte, placing it in front of me.
“I already ordered for you.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“Have you processed it all yet?”
“Not really,” I said slowly. “It still feels surreal. I’m so fucking glad the judge granted our request for anonymity. I couldn’t have handled having my face all over the news.”
“Me either. The courthouse was a circus yesterday, after the verdict.”
“Did you go?”
She shook her head. “No, but my sister did, so I got real time updates. His young, blond fiancé was by his side, telling the media it was all a big misunderstanding.”
“Poor girl.”
“Yeah.” Michelle leaned back, exhaling deeply. “When the police found him with her it just… I don’t know. It didn’t surprise me. But it still hit hard.”
I nodded. The image of Brian’s face in the news replayed in my mind. “Engaged to be married,” I murmured. “He never learned.”
“Some people never do.” She took another sip of her coffee. “But we did. We’re out.”
I met her eyes and felt a quiet sense of triumph mixed with bittersweetness. “Yeah. We’re out.”
“And look at us now. You’re disgustingly happy with your millionaire Viking, I’m dating that cute teacher, and Brian’s about to learn the joys of orange jumpsuits.”
I laughed outright at that. These regular coffee dates with Michelle had become one of my favorite things. Our shared history with Brian transformed into something healing instead of haunting.
“Anyway, enough about that fuckstick. You all set for this afternoon?”
“Yep.” The very thought of it sent a thrill through me.
“Nervous?’
I considered for a moment, then shook my head. “No. I’m more than ready. I’m excited.”
“Great! I can’t wait to hear how it goes. And on that note, why don’t you get a wriggle on, so you can fill me in.”
With a chuckle, I stood, waiting for Michelle to do the same. “Thanks for everything. It would have been so much harder to get through all of this without you.”
“Straight back at you.”
Moments later, I slid into the driver’s seat of the sleek electric Mercedes Harle had gifted me last Christmas. It was smooth and silent as I glided out of the parking lot.
My thoughts turned to Harle, as they always did when I had a quiet moment. My lips curved in a soft smile. Two years of waking up to his gorgeous face, his quiet strength, his gentle teasing, his absolute devotion. Two years of building a life together.
I’d decided I wasn’t ready for a baby until after I’d had a proper go at therapy, so we’d compromised by getting more animals. Two more dogs, a few more goats, and two pigs. What a turn my life had taken, and all because of Harle.
Finally, I pulled up in front of the cabin. I killed the engine and sat for a moment, giving myself a few moments to calm down. Then grabbed my purse and stepped out.
Harle was already at the door, leaning against the frame, his arms crossed. The moment my eyes met his, his face broke into that slow easy smile that never failed to make my stomach flip. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.” I replied, closing the distance between us.
I slid my arms around Harle’s neck, my fingers brushing the soft hair at the nape. Before I could lean in, he crooked a finger under my chin, tilting my face up to his. His blue eyes searched mine, intense and unreadable for a moment, before something softened in his expression. He knew exactly how hard Brian’s court case had been on me. I loved that his first thought was to check on me. Satisfied, he closed the distance, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that was deep and unhurried, the kind that made my knees weak and my chest ache in the best way.
When we finally pulled apart, I was breathless, my heart pounding. I rested my forehead against his for a moment, then smiled. “I could do with a walk. How about you?”
He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his thumb lingering on my cheek. “Sure, if you like.” His voice was low and warm, skittering across my skin in the most delicious way.
I stepped back, threading my fingers through his. “Let’s go, then.”
We walked through the house, and out the sliding door on the back deck. Harle whistled sharply, two quick notes that carried across the yard. Max and Buddy, plus the new additions of Merle and Stanley, came bounding from the trees, their long legs eating up the distance, tongues lolling as they skidded to a stop at Harle’s feet.
“Good boys,” he murmured, scratching behind their ears before we started down the dirt track that wound around the lake. The dogs trotted ahead, noses to the ground, tails wagging. The sun filtered through the trees, dappling the path with light, and the lake shimmered with breathtaking beauty.
What a perfect day. It could only get better from here.
We walked for a while, the only sounds our footsteps and the occasional rustle of the dogs in the underbrush.
Then Harle’s phone pinged, sharp and loud in the quiet.
My heart leapt in anticipation, then dropped again, when he just kept walking. Oh, he was being polite. Cute and nerve wracking. It pinged a second time.
“You can check your phone, if you like.”
“Nah, it can wait.”
Fuck. He wasn’t going to make it easy. “Harle. Check your phone.”
With the most adorable frown, he pulled it from his back pocket, shooting me a confused look when he realized it was a message from me.
“Open it.”
My heart was pounding as he swiped the screen open, clicked on my message, then on the Craigslist link I’d sent him.
The way his whole body tensed when he realized what the link was. Oooh boy.
“Darlin’.” His voice was rough, that deep timber that always made my toes curl.
“Just read it first.” I tried for casual, but my voice trembled slightly. After two years together, you’d think I’d be past getting nervous around this man. But here I was, palms sweating, heart racing, while he read the words I’d spent weeks perfecting.
Title: ISO: Rugged Handyman with a Heart of Gold (Must Love Dogs and Lakeside Sunsets)
Description: Hi there! I’m in the market for a husband who meets the following criteria:
Essential Requirements:
Must have the ability to chop wood while looking devastatingly handsome.
Owns at least four large, lovable dogs who occasionally steal sandwiches.
Expert at fixing broken fences, leaky taps, and occasionally, hearts.
Must hand over his old Yale sweater to the poster, permanently
Bonus Skills:
Can navigate a lake at sunset without getting distracted by philosophical musings (though I may allow it).
Enjoys camping, quiet mornings, and holding hands on long walks.
Willing to cook breakfast in nothing but plaid pajama pants.
Non-Negotiables:
Kind heart, a calming presence, and a talent for knowing when someone needs a hug (even if they say they don’t).
Must be emotionally available, adventurous, and open to watching the same movie five times just for the company.
Must be comfortable with impromptu lake swims (clothes optional)
Must be okay with being ridiculously in love. This is a lifetime commitment.
Must always laugh at my terrible jokes
Preferred Start Date: Immediately.
If you meet all the above qualifications (and if your name happens to be Harle), please apply in person by saying “yes” and kissing the poster of this ad.
I was a little anxious as I watched him read, his eyes scanning the screen. Then his expression shifted from confusion to understanding, to something so tender it made me melt. When a slow smile spread across his face, I could have cried. It was all so perfect. This moment, this place, this man.
He lowered his phone, those devastating blue eyes meeting mine with an intensity that stole my breath. The dogs had settled nearby, as if they too were waiting for this moment. Even the lake seemed to hold its breath.
“So,” I began, my voice stronger now, steadier. “I know I told you I could never marry again, but I changed my mind. Or maybe you changed it for me, just by being you. By being patient, and kind, and exactly what I needed, even when I was too scared to admit it.” My eyes were locked on his. “I trust you, I trust us. And I want forever with you, if you’ll have me. Harle Robson, will you marry me?”
“Darlin’,” he began, taking a step closer, his hands coming up to frame my face. “You already know it’s a yes. It’s been yes since the moment you walked into that lake after me. Hell, it’s been yes since the moment I first saw you.”
Relief and joy and love, so much love, burst through me. “Then kiss me already.”
His lips met mine, soft and sweet at first, then deeper, more urgent, like he was trying to pour every unspoken word into the kiss. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer, and I melted into him like I always did, like I always would. When we finally broke apart, I couldn’t stop smiling, couldn’t stop the happy tears from spilling.
“I love you,” I whispered against his lips. “I can’t wait to marry you.”
He squeezed me tighter. “I love you too. Let’s go inside, so we can set a date.”
“Yes, let’s!”