Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER
TIDEHAVEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
The marsh was alive that morning as wind pushed through the reeds in restless waves while Letty stood barefoot on the dock, laptop open, coffee forgotten beside her.
Wyatt leaned against the railing behind her, arms crossed. “You’ve been staring at that screen for twenty minutes.”
“I’m reviewing coastal flood projections.”
“You’re staring.”
She didn’t turn around. “There’s a difference.”
He pushed off the railing and stepped closer, brushing a kiss along her shoulder. “Your disaster center proposal was approved.” He nudged her. “You can blink now.”
She finally looked at him. “I know.”
“You’re allowed to celebrate.”
Her smile was soft but fierce. “I will. After I rewrite the emergency response addendum.”
He shook his head. “You almost died in a warehouse.”
“And?”
“And maybe take a day.”
She studied him. “You’re projecting.”
“I’m not.” He offered a sly smile.
“You’re bored.”
His mouth twitched.
She raised her eyebrow. Salt he just reached out and steadied the toddler’s kicking foot with one large hand.
A deep voice drawled. “Stop kicking, Amélie.”
The little girl grinned as the man stepped further into the room holding the arm of their grandmother.
Letty rushed to her. “Mamère. I didn’t know you’d be here. You’re keeping secrets.”
“Bon. I came when I needed to. That is not secrecy. That is timing.”
Letty turned to Wyatt. “This is my grandmother, Mamère.”
Wyatt extended his hand before the older woman yanked him into a hug. “We hug.”
Tessa approached and took the next hug with Wyatt. “You’ll get used to us.”
An hour later, after happy tears and stories, Tessa kissed her sisters’ cheeks and nuzzled her daughter. “Dominion in an hour. I’m making gumbo for lunch.”
WYATT
The scent of spices tickled Wyatt’s nose. Dominion was nothing like the restaurants around the marsh. It was heat and Cajun spice coming from an open kitchen with controlled chaos and laughter.
Gavin stood just inside the door, sleeves rolled, confidence easy but real. “Tessa is so excited to have you here.”
“Letty’s been dying to visit.”
Gavin grinned. “That tracks.”
Dinner unfolded like a celebration with layered conversation, sharp teasing, and quiet looks that meant more than words.
Letty’s eyes tracked Tessa through the space. “She’s so confident.” Amélie zigzagged between the tables until Gavin scooped her up effortlessly, settling her on his hip while giving instructions to a line cook.
The image struck Wyatt in a way he hadn’t anticipated as Letty’s hand found his under the table. We haven’t talked about kids. He leaned into her. “What?”
“Tessa is just so happy. I’ve never seen her so comfortable.”
Wyatt nudged her. “A good man can help with that.”
She gave him a quick smile as she extended her arms out waiting for Gavin to set down the child. Amélie ran into her arms and kissed her cheek.
Later, as dessert plates were cleared, Livvy leaned into Gavin. “Aren’t you usually open for lunch?”
“Closed for private family reasons.”
She looked around the table as Wyatt nodded with a smile.
Finally, as the conversations ebbed around the tables, Gavin clinked his glass.
“Before we start up more conversations,” he said with a chuckle.
“I was told to hand over the floor.” He leaned back and handed Wyatt the knife he had used to tap his glass.
Letty gasped as Wyatt stood, setting down the knife to kneel in front of her.
He took her hand in his. “I don’t like speeches.”
“You’re lucky if you can get him to talk at all,” Maxim muttered.
Laughter eased the tension.
Wyatt took a deep breath. “Six months ago, you pulled me out of the fire.” He rubbed his thumb across her hand. “I thought I was keeping you safe. I’m the protector.”
She whispered. “You were.”
He shook his head. “No, we were keeping each other safe.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her wrist. He took his other hand and stroked her cheek before he reached into his jacket pocket.
Murmurs erupted around the table as he pulled something into his hand and opened it to Letty.
The silver dollar glistened in the light. She lifted her eyebrows. “Your silver dollar?”
“The same one.” He turned it in his fingers once, then revealed the ring resting against it. Voices gasped or giggled at the magic trick. “You held the line when I couldn’t,” he mumbled. “Hold it with me.”
The restaurant fell completely silent.
The toddler gasped. “Ring!”
Letty laughed through tears.
“Yes,” she said immediately. “Yes.”
He slid the ring onto her finger.
It fit perfectly as he leaned up to kiss her, not to claim or show off, just sealing something steady.
Applause broke out as Tessa and Livvy hustled around the table. Wyatt stood and was pulled into the congratulatory hug of Banner Campbell.
“Well, man. I guess we’re going to be brothers in a different way, now.”
Maxim chuckled. “Hell, we should just make you an honorary Campbell.”
Wyatt’s forehead furrowed as Tessa pulled out the chain around her neck to hold up a ring.
Letty squealed. “Why didn’t you say something?”
Tessa smirked. “I didn’t want to diminish your surprise.”
Letty shook her head. “Well, if we’re sharing surprises…” She walked over to Wyatt and whispered in his ear. He laughed and grabbed her face to kiss her. “I’m so damn happy.”
She beamed. “We’re pregnant.”
The women in the room giggled as Tessa and Livvy rushed to hug their sister. Banner clapped Wyatt’s shoulder. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Banner asked. “This family is overwhelming.”
Wyatt glanced at the sisters, the toddler, the controlled chaos of Dominion, the protective ring of CPSP around them. He smiled. “I walked into fire,” he said. “I’m good.”
Letty broke her sisters’ hug and rested her head briefly against his chest.
“We should plan to marry quickly so you can make an honest man of me.”
Her breath caught. “If we were to call the team and invite them, then everyone that mattered would be here in Dallas.”
Wyatt leaned down, brushing his mouth against Letty’s. “Hold the line,” he whispered.
She smiled against his lips. “I plan to.”