Epilogue
Janelle took a sip of her margarita and leaned back against Schwartz, inhaling the scent of tropical flowers and salty ocean air.
“This was nice of Mac to lend us his house for the honeymoon,” she murmured, savoring the feel of her new husband’s bare chest against her back.
“Mmmm,” he agreed, nuzzling her neck. “It’s only fair, since he and Kelli get to enjoy a secluded retreat in the Montana wilderness.”
“Hope you left extra dog treats. And Pop-Tarts.”
“And cond—coffee filters?”
“Yes.” She giggled. “Plenty of coffee filters.”
He grinned. “I also bought a new cover for the hot dog pillow and reinforced the soap dish.” His mouth felt warm against her neck, and the vibration made everything inside her hum with pleasure.
“It’s nice here,” she said. “Mexico was a much better honeymoon choice than Hawaii.”
“Uh-huh. Not that honeymooning with my family wouldn’t have been delightful.”
Janelle laughed, recognizing the fondness in his voice. They’d spent a lot of time with the Pattons in the last few months, hanging out with Sam and Sheri and the twins on Kauai, and volunteering to help Kelli with one of her spay and neuter clinics on the other side of the island while Mac looked on in pained pride.
They’d even jetted over to Oahu to see Schwartz’s parents, with Stella making it abundantly clear how happy she was to welcome Janelle to the family.
“You’re good for him, honey,” she’d whispered to her after dinner one night. “Thank you for bringing my baby back to me.”
“My pleasure,” Janelle had whispered back, grateful to be part of this loving—albeit heavily armed—family.
Now Janelle closed her eyes and slid her hand up Schwartz’s bare leg, toying with the hem of his swim trunks. “I hope Sheri doesn’t go into labor early. I want to make sure we’re there when the baby comes.”
“We will be,” he said, moving on from her neck as he kissed his way down her shoulder, nudging aside the strap of her bikini top. “The arrival of the first Patton granddaughter is a big deal. Pretty sure Mom’s arranging a military flyover and a twenty-one-gun salute.”
“Again? I thought she already called in all her favors for Grant and Anna’s wedding.”
“Stella Patton has endless favors she can call in,” he said. “How about we stop talking about my family now and focus on clothes.”
“Clothes?” she breathed as his mouth skimmed the top of her breast. “What about clothes?”
“Getting out of them,” he said. “Though I haven’t forgotten my promise to take you shopping in Cabo this afternoon. That’s as close to city life as you’re going to get for a little while.”
“I don’t mind,” Janelle said. “I’m looking forward to trying out full-time wilderness life when we get back.”
“I’m glad. But don’t forget my offer.”
“The one with the ice cube and the feather?”
He laughed, kissing his way down the slope of one breast and into the valley between them. “That one, too. But I meant the one about moving to the city if that’s what you want.”
“That’s nice,” she murmured, meaning his mouth on her nipple more than his offer to relocate for her. She could hear the ocean crashing against the shore, and somewhere in the distance she heard the cry of a gull.
“I appreciate the offer, Schwartz,” she breathed, stroking the thick muscle of his thigh. “But that’s not what I want right now.”
“Oh yeah? What do you want right now?”
She grinned and slid her hand up the leg of his swim trunks, then drew back to look him in the eye. “How about I show you?”
***
Oh, man! Is it okay to admit I got teary-eyed bringing an end to the Patton family story? But I’m so freakin’ happy for everyone, especially Schwartz and Janelle.
If you love big, messy, supportive families like the Pattons, I really think you’ll dig the Bracelyn clan in my Ponderosa Resort series. They’re a mish-mash of adult siblings working to turn their late-father’s vanity ranch into a luxury resort, all while getting to know one another because they had different moms (er, Dad got around). It’s one of my favorite series I’ve written!