7. Epilogue
Ben
Three Days Later
Emory looks beautiful in her simple white dress, with her hair swept up, and the big smile on her face.
“You may now kiss the bride.” I don’t have to be told twice. I lean down and sweep my wife off her feet while my mother cheers.
We’re at the courthouse with my mom as the only witness. Since we needed to get married within the week, we made an appointment to get married in Evergreen Lakes. We could’ve easily driven to Reno and done it, but Emory loves our little town and wants to make all our memories here. And I can’t disappoint my bride.
I reluctantly pull away from her delectable lips and grin as I stare down into her shining eyes. “We’re married!” She laughs and hops up and down, making me laugh with her.
“That we are, sweetheart. Now you can’t ever leave me.”
She huffs. “Like I’d ever want to.” She wraps her arms around me for a hug. Since our first day together, Emory is always needing to be touched in some way, and I’m all for it. I don’t know if I can ever go long without touching her. She’s so soft and perfect.
My mom can’t hold off much longer and wraps her arms around us. “I knew it. I knew you two were perfect for each other.”
The only way Emory can face my mom is as long as nobody talks about the emails. When I talked to Mom about it, she waved her hands. “Oh, that’s nothing. They’re tame compared to what your father and I got up to, but she’ll learn. It just proved to me it will make that part of your relationship exciting.”
I instantly shut that conversation down. I didn’t need to hear anymore. Mom thankfully agreed to never speak of it. She doesn’t want to upset her daughter-in-law. Even before we got married, she called Emory her daughter-in-law, and my wife has been happy about it. All she wants is a family, and I’m going to make sure to do that.
We head out of the courthouse, and I want to head straight back to the cabin, but Mom convinces me we need to celebrate, so we’re heading over to Maggie’s Diner for breakfast. Something quick, then I’m taking my bride home to continue working through her never-ending fantasy list. I’m thankful she didn’t put them all in the email because my little minx isn’t tame at all. Something my mother is to never know about.
“Ben!”
I turn around at the bottom of the steps of the courthouse, and nod as I see Beau Knox heading over. He looks me over with a lifted brow as I’m dressed up a little fancier than I normally am. More like I’m not wearing flannel, but a button-down dress shirt with my best jeans, with my hair slicked back. Naturally his gaze moves over to Emory in her white dress with a small bouquet of flowers. It’s not hard to put two and two together when we’re standing outside of the courthouse.
“You got hitched?”
“You bet he did. Beau, I’d like you to meet my daughter-in-law, Emory. Isn’t she gorgeous? They’re going to make me such beautiful grandbabies.” My mother gushes while Emory turns red and leans in harder against my side. She’s a lot like me and doesn’t like to have the attention on herself.
Knox is polite and notices Emory’s hesitation. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. I’m Beau Knox, looks like I’m your neighbor.”
She takes his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“I didn’t realize you were dating anybody.”
“Oh, he wasn’t. There’s this mail order website that connected them together. The site knows its stuff. Matched them perfectly.” My mom butts in, and then her eyes shine bright. “Oh, Beau, you should try it. I can even help you.”
His eyes widen and he stutters. “Uh, that’s great for you guys. Glad you found each other. Oh, look at the time. I have some firewood to sell, and I don’t want to be late. Congratulations, and best wishes and all that. Nice to meet you. See you all later.” He books it out of there while Emory and I try not to laugh at my now matchmaking mother. It won’t surprise me if she doesn’t get together with all the single mountain men around Evergreen Lakes and tries to find them a bride.
Wanting to get my wife home as soon as possible, I guide the ladies in the direction of the diner. “Come on, let's go celebrate.”
That shifts my mother’s attention quickly. “Yes, I need to show off my daughter-in-law. I’m never going to tire of saying that.”
Emory looks up at me and we smile at each other. I lean down and kiss her. “I love you, wife.”
“I love you, husband.”
My chest puffs up with pride. Life can’t get any better than this. I have a beautiful bride, I’m happy, and today is only the beginning.
Thank you so much for reading.