Epilogue
CLOVER
Two months later…
My voice rings through the crowded bar, Brooks and Darby cheering as I launch into the final verse and chorus. They’re my mini fan club, and they’re always here for me.
Excitement and joy buzz through my skin, and I am drunk on the exhilaration of performing and knowing that my life is blossoming all around me.
This life I’ve made is a damn gift that I’ll be grateful for forever.
I’m doing my thing on the stage, and as I walk back and forth, singing my heart out, I think about everything that’s happened since I came to Red Lodge, especially in the past few months.
Brooks is the biggest change, and being with him—acting as Darby’s mother figure—has changed my life more than I can put into words. I finally feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do.
And I’m still running a business, still an independent woman. I haven’t lost myself at all in a relationship, which had been a secret worry of mine. If anything, I’m more myself because I use my innate skills and talents to keep our family running smoothly—with the best partner a girl could ask for.
Darby is the sweetest kid, and I’m actually impressed with myself for how naturally I’ve picked up being his caregiver. I’ve always loved kids, but this one is mine—blood or not—and it is the best feeling in the world.
“Woo! Sing it, hon!” Brooks shouts out, and I smile all the more as I bring the song home.
Before him, before I was able to get Kyle out of my life, I don’t think I would have ever found the courage to do this. And I am beyond thankful that I’m here now.
And in one of the best bits of good news I’ve ever had, Kyle is going away for a long time. I was terrified that the authorities weren’t going to do enough about it, but the law actually stepped up and protected the little guy this time.
The little guy being my family and me.
Kyle is going to prison for at least twenty years, which is remarkable. But the jerk crossed state lines and assaulted both Brooks and me with the intent to kidnap me.
That’s a big deal.
With the stalking, intimidation, and numerous fraud and racketeering charges also levied against him, Kyle was screwed. He wouldn’t be bothering anyone again.
Knowing he was in jail also allowed me to go back to New York and make a proper exit. I said goodbye to some old friends and coworkers, explaining the situation. And I was able to have one last in-person meeting with the clients who requested it.
Cleaning up my apartment had been a bittersweet goodbye, too. I was so ready to begin my life in the country with Brooks, but I had to admit to myself that I’d made a lot of memories there.
Still, a lot of those memories had to do with the man who’d been so cruel to me, who tried to kidnap me and do Lord knows what with me.
Red Lodge would be so much better for never seeing him again, and I would be so much happier living here, more so than I ever had been in New York.
I know that staying was the best decision I’ve ever made. This is my home now, and it’s with the people who I love more than anything.
Hell, we even get together once a week to have dinner with my dad. It’s so damn quaint, and I will not feel bad for admitting how much I love it.
It’s certainly been a challenge running my business, taking care of Darby, and going through the trial to convict Kyle, but Brooks has been at my side every step of the way.
I love him so much.
And there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel as loved and cherished. Both Brooks and Darby do an excellent job of making me feel appreciated.
Especially during performances.
“Thank you, everyone! I’ll see y’all next time!” I wave, then run off the stage to the side where Rosie is waiting for me.
“Another killer set. Well done, Clover.” She looks over to where Brooks and Darby are cheering. “You have quite the celebration committee over there.”
“I do, don’t I?” I smile over at them and then give Rosie a hug. “I’m off, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Bright and early for coffee.” She squeezes me back. “Catch ya later.”
As I sprint to where my people are standing front and center before the stage, I’m wearing the biggest smile. Brooks catches me in his arms as I leap into them.
“You were amazing.” I go up on my tiptoes as he stares down at me, kissing him. “Another flawless performance.”
“Good job, Clover!”
Looking down at Darby, I give him a smile, taking his cheek and running my thumb up and down his skin.
“Thank you, bud.”
Brooks takes my chin and kisses me again. The moment lingers, and I forget everything around me until Darby clears his throat.
“Too much kissing?” Brooks cocks a brow at his son.
“Yes! Ugh!” Darby laughs, though, and I know he’s still so glad to see his father actually happy for a change.
Then my dad suddenly appears behind the two of them, and he scoops up Darby into a hug before setting him down.
“You ready for our sleepover, kiddo?”
Darby nods happily. “Heck, yes! Let’s go, Pop!”
I raise my brows, a little surprised. “Now? I thought it wasn’t until later?”
“Nah, they’re set to go after the show. I have somewhere special I want to take you.” Brooks is all mischievous grins and knowing eyes with my dad.
“What are you up to?” I furrow my brow at them both, but the glare lands on Brooks—playful and suspicious.
“You’ll see. Let’s go.”
Before I can think, Brooks has me moving, and we walk to the truck. Leo and Darby head off back to my dad’s farmhouse for the weekend, and I sit in the passenger seat, very much on edge to see what Brooks has up his sleeve.
It’s not that long of a drive before Brooks pulls the truck over near the oak tree on the ranch and comes around from the driver’s side to let me out. It’s a chivalrous move from him, and I know he’s trying to lay it on thick.
Smiling, I take his hand and let him help me down. “What’s going on, Brooks?”
“You’ll see.” He grins—so wide and so damn charming, his dimples showing on his stubbly cheeks. “Wait here for just a moment.”
I oblige, my heart pounding against my ribs. I’m so curious what he’s up to and so thrilled to be a part of it. Brooks has definitely shown that gifts and big gestures are his way of showing his love.
I am not complaining.
As I wait near the front of the truck, I can hear Brooks walk over by the tall oak tree we’re parked near, and I keep myself from looking. He’s trying so hard with the surprise. I don’t want to ruin it.
Suddenly, a string of lights that I didn’t notice until now flickers to life. The bulbs create a soft glow, and I smile. They wrap around the tree trunk, and I turn over my shoulder just a bit to see Brooks lifting up another strand and draping it along the edge of the truck bed.
“Almost there,” Brooks calls out, and I wiggle in place, excitement building.
The sound of the cover pulling off the bed is loud, and I realize that I didn’t even see that it was closed. I wait a few more minutes, and then Brooks comes up to me, taking my hands.
“Come on.”
He walks me around the truck, and I see that in the bed, he’s created a little picnic for us. There are pillows and blankets piled into the back and a basket of food, with a bottle of wine poking out the top.
“Oh my God, Brooks.” My hands go to my mouth as I look on in shock. “This is incredible! You did all this for me?”
“Nope, for someone else, but she never showed.” I whack his arm as he laughs. “Yes, of course it was for you.”
“I love it.” Walking up to him, I pull Brooks close and kiss him again. “So, can I get in or what?”
He grins. “yeah, I suppose.”
Brooks helps me into the truck bed. I kick off my shoes, not wanting to get things dirty, especially considering the blankets and pillows are a soft, almost beige shade of off-white.
Snuggling into the oversized pillows, I wait for Brooks to join me. He does, sitting down next to me, and then he goes for the bottle in the basket. When he pulls it out, I realize it’s not wine but champagne.
“Oh? Are we celebrating something?” The bubbly gold liquid fills two cups, and Brooks hands one to me.
“Yes. As a matter of fact, we are.” As he faces me, my heart in my throat now, Brooks reaches into his pocket. “I have a question.”
Oh shit.
I finally piece things together, and my pulse skyrockets. I can’t believe I didn’t guess before, but now that we’re here, I can’t keep the emotions from bubbling to the surface.
My eyes sting, and I stare at Brooks, floored and excited and overwhelmed with happiness.
“Clover Joy, I?—”
“Uh-uh.” I shake my head.
“Lucky…” Brooks raises his brows, and I smile with a nod, enjoying this way too much. “Haha, alright. Lucky, I love you. You're the most wonderful person I’ve ever met, and being with you has made my life so much more full than it ever was. I can’t imagine being with anyone else, and I know, without a doubt, that you’re the one for me.”
As much as I was teasing before, tears spill over now, and I have to wipe my face as I hold Brooks’s stare. He takes his glass of champagne and sets it down carefully, this serious wonder painted all over his face.
With his hand free, Brooks cracks open the little box, and I look down. Inside is a ring, of course, but it’s the style that has me gasping.
It’s so beautiful, white gold shimmering in the glow from the string lights. The center diamond is hugged by two smaller gems—one green and the other blue—and the band has a pattern of leaves on it.
“Brooks,” my mouth hangs open for a moment, “it’s stunning.”
“Not as much as you, Lucky.” He takes my hand, poising the ring to slide down my finger. “I love you, darlin’, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Darby has asked that I mention that he loves you, too, and…”
Brooks’s voice cracks, the emotion getting the better of him, and I smile.
“…he wants to be ‘ really’ able to call you Mom.”
That’s more than enough to get me crying all the harder. “Oh, buddy. I’d love that.”
“So, Lucky, love of my life, would you marry me? Would you make it official? You’re already a part of our family, and I want the entire world to know.”
Surging forward, I launch myself into Brooks’s arms, kissing him until I run out of breath.
“You didn’t answer.” Brooks grins, chuckling gently.
“The kiss wasn’t answer enough?” I stick out my tongue at him, still loving how we poke and prod at each other.
He smirks. “Brat.”
Nodding, I wrap my arms around his neck. “Yes, Brooks. Yes, I will marry you.”
Taking my hand, Brooks slides the ring into place. “There’s a story behind this ring.”
“Yeah? Go on then.”
Brooks pulls me into his lap, leaning back against a pillow. “The blue is for me, for that day in the rain when I told you it would be among my favorite memories. The green is for you and the luck you’ve brought to my life since you arrived. The diamond is for us and the life we can create together.”
“And the leaves?” My own voice warbles as I fight the need to start sobbing again.
“For this place.” Brooks looks around. “Our home. I met you under this tree, and I saw you eyeing it then. I propose to you now beneath it, with the promise that I’ll marry you under it, too.”
“You’re perfect.” I turn toward him, taking his face in my hands and kissing the hell out of him. Now, let’s have some champagne. I think it’s best if that bottle is out of the way for what comes next.”
“Oh?” Brooks hands me my drink with a grin that’s all too hungry. “And what’s that?”
“Rocking this here truck, of course. I’ve got you to myself for the whole damn weekend, and I’m not wasting a minute.”
“That, darlin’,” Brooks knocks back his glass and smiles, “is just what I was thinking.”