Epilogue
CARSON-FIVE YEARS LATER…
T he morning sun filters through our bedroom windows, casting a warm glow across Violet's sleeping form. Her dark hair is spread across the pillow, and I can't help but smile as I watch her chest rise and fall with each breath. After five years of marriage, she's still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
I hear the patter of little feet in the hallway, followed by Will's whispered voice. "Shh, Margo! We're supposed to be quiet!"
"I am being quiet," Margo whispers back, though her version of a whisper could wake the neighbors.
I slip out of bed, careful not to wake Violet, and open the door to find both kids standing there with eager grins. At ten, Margo has grown into a beautiful young girl who looks more like her mother Kate every day, though she still has my dark curls. Five-year-old Will is my miniature in every way, from his mischievous smile to his love of boats.
"Is everything ready?" Margo asks, bouncing on her toes.
I nod and usher them toward the stairs. "The picnic basket is packed, and the boat is fueled up. Let's let Mom sleep a little longer while we get everything else ready."
We head down to the kitchen where I've already prepared Violet's favorite breakfast: blueberry pancakes with fresh whipped cream. The kids help me arrange everything on a tray while I brew coffee.
"Can I put the flower on?" Will asks, holding up the single red rose I bought yesterday.
"Of course, buddy. Right in the middle."
He places it carefully next to the stack of pancakes, then steps back to admire his work. "Perfect," he declares.
"Now can we wake her up?" Margo asks.
"Alright, but remember—nice and gentle."
They race up the stairs while I follow with the breakfast tray. By the time I reach our room, they're already climbing onto the bed. Violet stirs as Will pats her cheek.
"Mama, wake up! We made you breakfast!"
Her eyes flutter open, and that smile I fell in love with spreads across her face. "What's all this?"
"Happy anniversary!" the kids chorus.
I set the tray across her lap and lean down to kiss her. "Happy five years, beautiful."
Her eyes get misty as she looks at the breakfast spread. "You remembered the blueberry pancakes."
"Of course. Just like the ones you made the morning after I proposed." I sit on the edge of the bed while the kids snuggle up on either side of her. "But breakfast is just the beginning. We've got the whole day planned."
After breakfast, we head down to the dock where our newest boat, the one I built specifically for family outings, is waiting. Violet gasps when she sees the decorations Margo and I put up last night—white roses and twinkling lights strung along the railings.
The day passes in a blur of laughter and joy as we cruise around the lake. The kids splash in the water while Violet and I watch from the deck, her head resting on my shoulder. In the afternoon, we anchor in our favorite cove for a picnic lunch.
"Remember our first boat ride?" I ask as we watch the kids building sandcastles on the small beach.
Violet laughs. "You mean when you were trying so hard not to fall for me?"
"I was fighting a losing battle." I pull her closer. "You and that bakery of yours just kept drawing me back in."
"Speaking of the bakery, Jane says the new location in Denver is doing amazing. Who would have thought our little Grand Lake shop would turn into a successful chain?"
I press a kiss to her temple. "I always knew you were destined for great things."
As the sun begins to set, we head back to the house where my parents are waiting to take the kids for the night. Once they're gone, I lead Violet back down to the dock. The twinkling lights reflect off the water, creating a magical atmosphere.
"Dance with me?" I hold out my hand as soft music plays from the boat's speakers.
She steps into my arms, and we sway together under the stars. Her body fits perfectly against mine, just like it did that first night. I trail my fingers down her spine, feeling her shiver in response.
"I love you," I whisper against her hair. "These past five years have been the happiest of my life."
She lifts her head to meet my eyes. "Even with all the chaos of running two businesses and raising two kids?"
"Especially with all that." I cup her face in my hands. "You've given me everything I never knew I needed—a partner, a mother for my children, and a love I never thought I'd find again."
Her eyes shine with tears as she rises on her toes to kiss me. The passion between us ignites instantly, just as strong as it was five years ago. I lift her into my arms, carrying her back to the house and up to our room.
Later, as we lie tangled in the sheets, Violet traces patterns on my chest. "You know what I was thinking about today?"
"Hmm?"
"That first morning you came into the bakery with Margo. If someone had told me then that this would be my life five years later, I never would have believed them."
I capture her hand and bring it to my lips. "I think that's the beauty of our story. Neither of us was looking for this, but somehow we found exactly what we needed."
"Do you ever regret it? Moving to Grand Lake?"
"Never." I roll to face her. "This town gave me everything—a fresh start, a new purpose with the boat business, and most importantly, it gave me you."
She snuggles closer. "I love our life."
"Me too." I press a kiss to her forehead. "And I can't wait to see what the next five years bring."
As Violet drifts off to sleep in my arms, I think about how far we've come. From a broken man barely holding it together to a husband and father of two amazing kids, running a successful business, and married to the most incredible woman.
Sometimes the best things in life come when you least expect them, wrapped in sugar, flour, and the sweet smell of fresh-baked dreams.
Get ready to fall for a sexy sheriff and his smart coworker with a hidden past in Falling for the Sheriff.
I came to Grand Lake looking for a fresh start, not a scandal.
But one wrong turn (and one very right kiss) later, I found myself pressed against Sheriff Blake Mitchell's patrol car—and that was just the beginning of my trouble.