31. Epilogue
Calista
I t’s been a few weeks since we told my family about us and I’m at my apartment today packing up. Slowly, I’ve been moving stuff to Evan’s. Usually, I drop Skye off at school each morning and come over. But today is Saturday, and I had breakfast at the cafe with Kaylee. So, I figured I’d grab a few things before going back to get ready for the barbeque we are having for all the mountain men and their families.
Most of them know we are engaged, but we want to make sure to tell them and invite them to the wedding.
Kaylee was so excited when I told her where we were wanting to get married. My mom cried when she heard our story and said it was perfect. Kaylee is a hopeless romantic, so she was on board. I think her and my mom are working together now to make it happen. I’m happy to give her the reins because there is so much to do. Cake, flowers, food, decorations, rentals, invitations, save the dates, music, and the list goes on and on. Kaylee helped her cousin plan her wedding last year, so she knows exactly what to do and I will take full advantage of that knowledge.
I’m going over everything Kaylee and I talked about this morning, and I’m so lost in my head I almost miss the knocking on my door. I open it to find Cole, Axel, Emelie, Hope and Cash there.
“Evan sent us to help with the packing and to bring all your stuff to the cabin,” Emelie says bouncing in to give me a hug.
“I think he doesn’t like you have your place still. It’s making him feel unsettled, so he enlisted our help,” my brother says.
“Most of the furniture stays. Though I’m shocked at how many possessions I’ve accumulated since I moved here.” I start directing them to what stays and what goes.
About an hour later, everything is packed and in my car and the guys’ trucks. Kaylee said she’d help me clean it on Monday and then I can turn my keys in.
When we get to the cabin, Cole Jana, Phoenix, Jenna, and Jack and Sage are already there. When they see us, they come out to help with the boxes as Evan walks over to me.
“Thank you for arranging the help,” I say, kissing him.
“I just want you here and settled as soon as possible and the guys were happy to help.”
Bennett, Willow, Storm, and River show up just as we get the last of the boxes into the house. We all gather in the backyard where there is seating and the grill. I’ve never seen so many people here at once, but it feels right.
Skye is in seventh heaven with the other children around. She’s taken to Emelie and likes to be with her. Right now, Skye’s playing with their son, Noah, who isn’t quite a year old yet. Skye can get that boy to laugh like no one else. Someday, she’s going to be a great big sister.
“Go mingle. We can unpack later,” Evan says kissing me on the cheek before heading off toward the grill.
“Hey, we were just talking about our summer trip to the lake,” Emelie says patting the spot on the wicker sofa next to her.
“What?” I ask, sitting down.
“It’s a tradition we started where we all spend a few days at the lake at the back of Cash and Hope’s property. We camp, swim, and we read in the sun, while the men hunt. It’s a great way to relax in the middle of the summer chaos of winter prep. You guys will be joining us, right?” Willow asks.
“Oh Um… I…” I glance over at Evan. I don’t want to commit to something he hadn’t planned.
Evan’s eyes meet mine and it’s like he can read my mind.
Walking over to us, he asks, “What’s up?” His eyes are focused on mine.
“They were talking about their trip to the lake and asked if we were going,” I say.
“I already cleared it with Cody so long as you want to go,” he says.
I smile and turn back to the girls.
“It sounds like fun,” I say.
“Yes!” Skye claps and everyone giggles.
“Skye, do you know how to swim?” Jenna asks.
“Yep, Daddy and Nana taught me before I even started school,” she says with a proud smile.
“Well, what about making quilts? Any interest? We normally make a few baby quilts while we are there,” Willow says.
“I’ve never made a quilt. Will you teach me?” Skye asks eagerly.
“And me?” I’m thinking this might be something Skye and I can learn together.
“I’d love to teach you! They sell well at Jack's shop. Even with all of us doing them, he can’t keep them in stock. The tourists love handmade quilts from ‘The Women of The Mountains.’ That how Sage pushes them in the store,” Willow says, nodding toward Sage, Jacks wife.
We talk and chat for hours. The kids all end up inside either asleep or barely holding their eyes open watching TV in the living room.
“We don’t want to be nosey, but we were wondering about Skye’s birth mother?” Emelie says gently.
“I don’t know much about her other than she left them to go be some big Hollywood actress. Though she hasn’t really made it. Evan reached out to her just last week about signing off on me adopting Skye outright. She didn’t want to talk to Skye or me, but agreed to sign the papers after we were married. I was surprised when she said she was glad Skye would have a mother figure and was sorry it couldn’t be her.”
“Wow.” The women sit there speechless.
“My mom said some people just aren’t wired to have kids because they can’t focus on anyone outside themselves,” I say. ”"It sounds like Skye’s mother did the best thing she could and left. If she had tried to force herself, it would have been much for traumatic.”
“That’s true. My mom was like that. Granted my dad left too, but I think my grandma would have taken me and my life would have been much different. I wouldn’t have been kidnapped by her for sure,” Hope says.
“But then you may never have ended up here with us either.” Jana wraps an arm around her.
“Well, I’d like to think I would because this is where I was meant to be. But it just might have happened differently,” Hope smiles.
“You two started working at the distillery, right?” River asks.
“Yeah, Evan is loving it so far, and has lots to learn. But I will say Skye and I breathe easier when he walks out the door now.”
“How did the station take it?” Jenna asks.
“He was at his ten-year mark, and since he was injured, and the Chief is a family friend, he did a little magic on the paperwork and got him medically retired. But really, his arm probably will never get back to the regulated ninety percent to go back to active duty. So he will be collect a partial retirement when he hits a certain age.”
“What is the prognosis on his arm?” Emelie asks.
“He’s still working with the physical therapist, and she recommended a friend of hers in Helena. They’re thinking that maybe going once a month for a few specialized treatments might help his arm. The hope is that his arm function will get very close to ninety-five percent, if not more.”
“Wait, I’m confused,” Hope says.
“Okay,” I say. “With his PT here in town saying she couldn’t get him over ninety percent, it made him eligible to be medically retired. Once that happened, she referred him to the one in Helena and we got the better predicted recovery. But it’s speculation, remember.” I say.
“Hah.” The women all smiled.
“How do you like the distillery?” River asks, changing the subject.
“You could tell it was owned by men. They didn’t take advantage of the small details. So, I’m working on redecorating pretty much every space and we are already planning our Christmas retail. Much of it can be done at home, which I love. If I need something, I’ll text Evan to send me a picture of this or that. It saves me time from having to go in,” I giggle.
“Well, I don’t drink Whiskey, but if you can encourage them to get some more flattering women’s clothes, I’d be happy to wear them and promo them any day,” Sage says.
The other girls nod their heads in agreement.
“We are on the same wavelength! I have a few women’s hoodie samples coming. You’ll have to come by when they get here and give me your thoughts,” I say.
We talk well into the night. To cap off a wonderful evening, we get the first peek of the neon color sunsets that summer brings in Montana.
It’s a perfect night and the perfect way to start off my perfect forever.