Epilogue
Jake
I hefted a keg and brought it outside to the tented area by the lake. We’d looked into purchasing the land surrounding Sharkey’s to expand the bar. One addition had been a space to rent out for parties with an incredible pavilion built by Erica’s brother.
A dock was set up beside it with a floating deck perfect for water sports. Currently, the latest class of Crescent Cove High was having one helluva party. Sheriff Brooks was vigilantly watching to make sure the only beer drinking was being done by the over twenty-one crowd, which included parents.
A fleet of Sea-Doos were currently racing around the lake. Their bleating motors gunned up and down the straightaways just past the anchored boats. A lake town was made for this kind of setup, and my girl was very good at creating just the right kind of family-focused establishment.
My sister was making a name for herself in the kitchen. She knew how to cook the hell out of meat, fish, and surprisingly, vegetarian fare that lured more than one customer back for more.
I scanned the pavilion and found Freckles holding court. She was smiling and touching shoulders and making sure everyone was happy. Sun streaked over her curls, adding a touch of fire to the wild, midnight waves I loved to distraction.
As usual, she seemed to know I was looking at her. Her gaze zeroed in on me, and she flashed me a wide smile. Her lips were berry-stained, and her honey-toned skin was even darker now from days out in the sun getting the space ready for our first big party of the season.
She’d already booked four more. Knowing how she worked a room, I’d wager another handful of parties would be added to our schedule before the night was over.
I frowned when she grabbed hold of a deck chair. She covered the move well enough, but she quickly reached for the little bag where she kept her bottle of water and drank deeply before continuing on to another umbrella-shaded table of people.
“Let me grab that, Chief.” Ben took the keg from me and added it to the huge metal drums of dry ice mixed with the regular kind to keep the kegs cold against the brutal heat bouncing off the water.
Kayla and her new assistant had a smoker going and a half-dozen grills for regular hamburger and hotdog fare. Another one was set aside for veggie kabobs to make everyone happy.
Both of the women in my life were something to behold when it came to running a business. Their teamwork made it even better.
I wandered over to Freckles and slid an arm around her waist. “Think I can steal my girl for a few minutes?” I asked the couple she was speaking to.
Freckles patted my chest. “This rude man is Chief Jake Mills.”
The tall man held out his hand. “I’m Seth Hamilton, and this is my wife, Ally. We were just talking about a few properties I have in mind for you to look at.”
“Oh, right. The realtor guy.”
“Yes. We’re looking forward to working with you two to find the perfect house.”
Well, that was quick. We’d talked about finding a house, but we hadn’t dealt with the financial part yet. We both had sizable nest eggs to put down on a nice house or a fixer upper, depending on what we found.
Seth smiled. “My sister-in-law, Sage, owns the Hummingbird’s Nest. She’s expanding as well.”
“Oh, right. I’ve had lunch there. She hosts some of our pancake breakfast charity drives.” Absently, I brushed a kiss along Erica’s temple.
“That’s our Sage. Women killing it in the Cove. Just as it should be.” Ally linked her fingers with Seth. “We’d love to have you over to the café, Erica. A group of us women entrepreneurs meet to talk over coffee—or decaffeinated drinks for the ever-growing bunch of mamas-to-be.”
Erica stiffened next to me. I glanced down at her.
She covered well, offering us a big smile. “I’d really like that.”
“Good. We’ll set it up. You sound like you can hold your own with the Brewed Awakening crew.”
“Would be nice to take a break.”
“She needs it.” I hugged her tighter to me. “Hope you guys can enjoy some food. My sister cooks a mean brisket.”
Seth’s eyes lit up. “Maybe we will.”
I pulled her away and urged her toward the path we’d created from our land to the lake.
“I shouldn’t go far. What if they—”
“Your staff has everything well in hand. You trained them well.”
She sighed but let me lead her away just the same.
“You okay, Freckles?”
“I’m perfect, why?”
“I know you too well.” I linked our fingers. “You’ve been running yourself ragged for weeks.”
“Months,” she corrected.
I laughed. “Agreed.” I stopped her on the path just out of sight of the nearest pocket of noisy teens. I cupped her face. “So, you’re really okay?”
She gripped my forearms. “You’re too astute.”
“I pay attention. Chicks dig that.”
“Yeah, well, I had something planned.”
I swallowed. “Planned?”
Sounded kind of like what I’d had in the works for about six weeks.
If the jeweler got another call from me, he swore he’d up the price another five hundred bucks for pain and suffering.
But I wanted the perfect ring to ask her to be mine.
I’d decided to put my mother’s diamond at the center of it, with a little extra flash to suit my fiery woman’s temper and passion.
Erica pulled my hand down to her chest and I forgot all about rings. “Have you noticed things are changing a little?”
“Well, everything’s been changing. Including the house thing you just lobbed at me.” Her distracting breasts were too close for me to concentrate. And yes, her breasts were a bit more than a handful these days, but I didn’t mind that in the least.
“About that. We’re going to need the room.”
I looked up from my second favorite place on her body. “I promise, my sister is moving into her own apartment. Soon enough, we’ll have the place to ourselves.”
She moved my hand lower to her belly. “More room.”
My heart thundered, and my eyes widened.
She grinned. “I knew you’d catch on quick.”
I cupped the slight curve of her belly. “A baby?” I whispered.
“Looks like those swimmers of yours were in a hurry that first night in the bar. You freaking knocked me up on the first try, sir.”
I wrapped my arms around her and twirled her around. “No shit. I told you I wanted to put a baby inside this perfect body.”
“Don’t make it weird.”
I laughed and set her down, and then crouched in front of her belly. “Hello in there. I’m gonna marry your mom and be the best dad ever, I swear.”
She slid her fingers through my hair. “Jake, we haven’t talked about that yet.”
“You know you’re going to marry me.” I slid my hand up the back of her leg and gave her ass a good squeeze on the way up as I stood.
“I…”
“I had a plan too.” I laced my fingers along her lower back, pressing her belly against mine. “But I don’t care. When I get the ring in from my buddy’s jeweler friend, I’m going to ask you again. Probably naked.”
She laughed as her tears started rolling. She lifted her hands to my face, petting my beard like she always did.
“I love you. I’ve loved you since we were kids.
I’m going to make sure you know that each and every day.
Our kids will never wonder if their parents love one another.
In fact, they’ll probably run away from us in disgust because I can’t stop kissing you and touching you.
” I dropped kisses on her mouth after every word.
Her laughter was the sweetest sound.
She curled her fingers around my wrists and rose onto her toes to get even closer. “Of course I’ll marry you. I love you, my fireman daddy,” she whispered.