Epilogue Rosalie
A few weeks later
Early March brings rare Texas snowflakes with it. They are delicate and fleeting as they drift lazily from the sky. They melt the second they touch the golden grasses. They’re another reminder that we aren’t in Colorado anymore.
This is not Misty Mountain with the heavy, endless snowfalls that once blanketed my world. This is different, but still thrilling even though I could have never planned on it. Snowfall brought Dawson back into my life. Snowfall outside of the Hollow Tree Inn gave us a backdrop for our wedding. Now it’s snowing again, but this time, I’m already in his arms, exactly where I belong.
I adjust the thick knit blanket wrapped around my shoulders and lean against the wide windowsill, cradling a warm mug of cinnamon tea in my hands. The home Dawson built for us is stunning. It’s all open windows and exposed beams mixed with cozy fabrics.
It stands strong, nestled against the rise of our very own Texas mountain. The hill is Dawson’s pride and joy. Truthfully, it’s become mine too. I love it because it’s ours. Every time I think of all the layers of effort that Dawson put into building this place it brings tears to my eyes. This place was made with love and stubborn determination, and I still can’t believe it’s real.
We’re settled… truly settled now. And after a lifetime of searching, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to say that.
Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, pulling me against the solid heat of my husband. I let myself sink into him, into the comfort of being his again.
His lips graze the side of my neck, the lazy rasp of his voice sending a shiver down my spine. “Still trying to convince yourself that it's real snow?”
“If it’s frozen and falling from the sky, it counts,” I argue, taking another sip of tea.
Dawson huffs out a low chuckle, his hand smoothing over the curve of my belly. As if on cue, our baby kicks, a firm little reminder that life is moving forward in the best possible way.
I grin. “I think he agrees with me.”
“He inherited my impeccable sense of logic,” Dawson muses. “Won’t catch this guy climbing a tree in an ice storm to save a cat.”
I roll my eyes and Cat lets out an offended meow from the corner of the couch.
“So not cowboy logic then? Because I was thinking… if we’re really settling in Texas, we should embrace it.” I turn my face up to him with a wicked smile. “What do you think about naming him something strong? Rugged. Like Maverick. Or Colt. Or, I don’t know… Tex. A real rancher name.”
Dawson groans, his head tilting back in sheer agony. “Rosalie. When I tell you there is not a chance in hell?—”
Laughter bubbles out of me, but I loop my arms around his neck and let my fingers play with the hair at his nape. “Fine. But I reserve the right to call you Daddy Dawson.”
His hands tighten at my waist. His expression darkens, his lips just a breath from mine. “Say that again, sweetheart, and we’ll be working on baby number two before this one even gets here.”
Heat whips down my spine and anticipation curls low in my stomach. I bite my lip, ready to test that theory?—
Boom. Boom. Boom. A sharp knock at the front door shatters the moment.
Dawson groans, dropping his forehead to mine. “You invited your sister, didn’t you?”
“She doesn’t need an invitation.” I grin and pull away, already hurrying toward the door. “Maisie!”
I yank it open to find her bundled in her thick coat, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold. But it’s not just the chill in the air giving her that glow. There’s something softer in her face, something hesitant and full of quiet excitement. Her hand rests protectively over her stomach.
The sight makes my heart squeeze just like it has from the moment I found out. “Come in, come in. We’re just getting ready to start a fire.”
She gives me a knowing smile and steps over the threshold. Then she turns to Dawson with a shrug. “Looks like the cousins wanted a playdate.”
“Perfect timing.” He shakes his head with a chuckle as he takes Maisie’s jacket for her and hangs it. Then he turns his attention to lighting the log in the fireplace.
Cat slinks around her ankles. “I brought you cookies,” she says lightly, tossing him a smirk.
Dawson grumbles something under his breath, but I catch the way his lips twitch like he’s fighting a smile. I pull Maisie into a hug. Then we settle into the living room, our chatter filling the space as Dawson gets to work stoking the fire.
An hour later the warmth wraps around us, cozy and familiar. A quiet kind of joy settles in my chest as I think about the way our lives will change a year from now. Emotion clogs my throat when I think of the life Dawson has built for us.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Cat lets out an ear-splitting yowl at the sound of another knock on the front door. There’s only one person it could be and we all know it. I look at Maisie and she gives me a faint nod that makes me bite back a smile. Dawson’s jaw ticks and he looks from Maisie to me.
I hold up my hands. “I didn’t know.”
Maisie chews her bottom lip. “You two are going to love each other soon enough. He won’t be here long, but I might have mentioned that he should stop by.”
“Damn ranchers.” Dawson mumbles as he pulls open the front door. “Kingridge, I didn’t know you’d be joining us tonight.”