Epilogue
Kendry
We get back to the cabin from the Christmas party at the Hotshots HQ and now I know so many things about Calder. His co-workers were very forthcoming.
Apparently he snores. Loudly. Like a freight train.
He didn’t last night because we really didn’t sleep much.
When he stays at HQ they make him sleep on a cot in the storage room.
This isn’t a deal breaker, but something to look forward to…
and to insist he go get checked out. Calder also loves gummy bears.
Millie told me she sees him sneak them into his bag when they go out to fight fires.
It’s like his comfort food. And he takes his coffee…
black. Which is A-OK by me. I hope to never touch another shot glass of espresso again in my life.
We grabbed my bag from the Black Timber Peak Inn and I said goodbye to Ester.
She mentioned that she needs help with marketing to get more people to come to experience her wonderful inn and I quickly offered to take photographs of her place to add.
She called me “a blessing.” Something no one ever has.
This town makes me feel like my dreams matter. That I matter.
When we step inside the door, and I slide to a stop. Mostly because Bear is bounding for me and I need to have my footing, but also because in the corner of the living room is a Christmas tree.
Calder takes my suitcase to the bedroom and when he comes back he motions, “I kinda did something while you were in town getting ready for the party.”
I make Bear sit and give Merry a little attention before letting both of them outside. Thankfully they both hate the snow, so they do their thing and come right back in to curl up in front of the fire that Calder’s building.
I walk to the tree. “It’s beautiful.”
There are white twinkle lights on the Eastern red cedar. Its strong, piney fragrance, natural density and pyramid-like crown, make for a great atmosphere. It doesn’t really allow for a lot of bulbs due to the soft limbs, but it can hold lights.
He pulls out a box. “For both of us to complete the look.”
Tinsel.
I start around the tree, drape it here, slipping it into the trees little pokey limbs there. The lights bounce off of it and create a magical effect on the walls. I get to the bottom of the box and there’s something that’s not tinsel. I lift a ring into the air and it throws sparkles into the room.
Calder slides in front of me. “This is a promise, a promise to you that I will always be here for you. I will listen to you. I will never make you second in my life, Kendry. You are first.”
“That’s a pretty big promise.”
“That’s what you do when you love someone.”
I know it’s fast. And I know it’s crazy, but this man has repaired my heart, filling in the cracks, some I didn’t even know were there.
I slip the ring on and it’s perfect. “How did you know my size?”
“Ester told me what size she thought you were.”
Everyone in this town wants Calder to be happy, too. That means something to me. I need this found family. I want to have people who will look out for my happiness… like he does.
“It’s perfect, Calder.” I hold it up and admire the lovely pearl with a small spray of diamonds on either side.
“I don’t expect you to be perfect. I just expect you to be mine.”
“I am yours.” I cup his face. “I love you.”
“You do?”
I stopped loving Derek a long time ago. Maybe I didn’t really love him the way he needed or maybe he couldn’t love me the way I needed, but in my heart, I know that this is what I need.
“I do.”
He drops his head and nuzzles into my neck. “I love you, too.”
I’m home…
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