Epilogue
Ivy
Elk Ridge, six months later...
The autumn air carries the scent of Declan's braised short ribs across the lodge's wraparound porch. He's been perfecting the recipe for months, the meat so tender it falls off the bone, swimming in a rich wine sauce that even the pickiest food critics rave about. Golden hour bathes everything in warm light, making the changing leaves look like they're on fire. It's the kind of evening that reminds me why I never want to live anywhere but here.
"Pass the carrots?" Connor calls from his end of the long table. "Before Liam hoards them all."
"I earned these," Liam protests around a mouthful, but he's grinning as he hands over the bowl. "Had back-to-back check-ins all afternoon."
"A likely story," Mom says, eyes twinkling. "Though I have to admit, Declan, you've outdone yourself tonight."
"It's nothing." But my brother preens under the praise, even as he fusses with the arrangement of roasted vegetables. "Something I've been experimenting with."
"Nothing?" Maddox raises an eyebrow, though I notice he's barely touched his plate. "Is that why you had me taste-test six different versions last month?"
"Quality control is important," Declan says with professional dignity, but he's fighting a smile.
Beside me, Maddox's knee bounces slightly under the table, his hand warm on my thigh. I study him out of the corner of my eye, taking in the slight tension in his shoulders, the way he keeps checking his pocket when he thinks no one's looking. He's been off all evening, quieter than usual, his attention drifting to me more often than normal. Which is saying something.
"Remember when Maddox used to try to maintain professional distance at these dinners?" Jameson grins, reaching for another piece of bread to soak up the sauce. "Now look at him. He practically runs the place."
"He's always been family," Mom says softly. Something in her tone makes me wonder just how much she knows about what's coming.
"Speaking of family dynamics," Jameson continues, his attention shifting. "Rowan, planning to join the land of the living anytime tonight?"
My youngest brother startles slightly, pushing his food around his plate. He's been even quieter than usual lately, more withdrawn since Sarah mentioned running into his ex at the grocery store last week.
"Just tired," he mumbles.
"You're always tired," Jameson teases gently. "When was the last time you actually joined us for drinks at The Tap?"
"Leave your brother be," Mom says mildly, though I catch the concern in her eyes. She's been worried about him, we all have, but pushing Rowan never ends well.
"The grounds keep me busy," Rowan says with forced dignity, clearly done with this line of conversation.
"Ivy, would you mind taking a walk with me?” Maddox asks, his voice a bit rough. “The sunset from Eagle Point should be perfect right about now."
Something in his tone makes my heart skip. Mom's smile grows softer as she waves us off. "Go on. We'll handle the cleanup."
"I can help—" I start, but Liam cuts me off.
"For once in your life, sister, let someone else handle the dishes."
As Maddox helps me up from my chair, I catch the knowing looks passing between my brothers, the way Mom squeezes Maddox's arm as we pass. Even Rowan's expression has softened slightly.
My heart beats a million miles a minute as he heads me off the porch and through the lodges grounds.
The trail to Eagle Point winds through a grove of sugar maples, their leaves painted in sunset colors. Our footsteps crunch on fallen leaves, and Maddox's hand is warm in mine, his grip just a little tighter than usual.
"You're quiet tonight," I say softly, bumping his shoulder.
He manages a smile, but there's something intense in his eyes that makes my heart flutter. "Just thinking."
"Dangerous habit."
"Learned it from you."
The path curves upward, and soon we emerge onto the overlook. The view never fails to take my breath away. Rolling mountains stretch into forever, painted in golds and purples by the setting sun. Below, the valley spreads out like a patchwork quilt of autumn colors.
Maddox leads me to the wooden railing, but instead of looking at the view, he turns to face me. His hands frame my face with a gentleness that makes my chest ache.
"I need to tell you something." His voice is rough, intimate. "Something I should have said a long time ago."
My heart starts to race as he continues, his thumbs tracing my cheekbones.
"I've loved you since before I knew what love was. Back when I thought being Liam's best friend meant I couldn't want his sister. Back when I convinced myself that keeping my distance was the right thing to do." He takes a shaky breath. "I was wrong. So wrong."
"Mad—"
"Let me finish." He presses his forehead to mine. "Because loving you isn't just about wanting you. It's about who I am when I'm with you. How you make me brave enough to be real, to be honest, to be me."
Tears blur my vision as he steps back, reaching into his pocket. The world seems to slow as he drops to one knee, holding up a small velvet box.
"Ivy Callahan." His voice breaks slightly on my name. "Will you marry me?"
The ring catches the last rays of sunlight. The vintage-style setting looks like something I would have picked myself. But I barely see it through my tears that spring to my eyes when I look into his beautiful face. Maddox looks at me like I'm his entire world.
"Yes," I breathe. Then louder, "Yes, yes, absolutely yes!"
His hands shake slightly as he slides the ring onto my finger. Then he's standing, pulling me into his arms, and everything else fades away as his mouth finds mine.
The kiss tastes like joy and promise and forever. His hands tangle in my hair as mine grip his shirt, pulling him closer. I can feel his heart racing against my chest, matching the rhythm of my own. When he deepens the kiss, I taste the lingering sweetness of Declan's wine sauce, mixed with something uniquely Maddox. Coffee and mint and home.
We break apart only when breathing becomes necessary, but he keeps me close, pressing soft kisses to my temple, my cheeks, the corner of my mouth.
"I love you," I whisper against his lips. "Even when you were taking your sweet time seeing what’s right in front of you."
He laughs, the sound pure and happy. "I'll spend the rest of my life making up for lost time."
The sun has nearly set by the time we make our way back to the lodge. I can't stop looking at the ring on my finger, the way it catches the last golden light. As we approach the porch, I spot Liam leaning against one of the pillars, clearly waiting for us.
Maddox tenses slightly beside me, but my big brother just smirks, looking entirely unsurprised.
"About time," he says, clapping Maddox on the shoulder. "Though I gotta say, you lasted longer than I thought you would. Connor owes me twenty bucks."
"You knew?" I demand.
"Please." Liam rolls his eyes. "He asked for my blessing two months ago. Said he wanted to do things right."
Before I can process that, the door bursts open and the rest of the family spills out. Mom's crying happy tears, Declan's already talking about the menu for our engagement party, and Jameson's making inappropriate jokes about the wedding night.
Only Rowan hangs back, watching from the doorway with his usual unreadable expression. He mutters something that sounds suspiciously like "too much romance in this family" before disappearing inside.
Maddox leans down to whisper in my ear, "Ten bucks says your brother's next."
I glance toward where Rowan vanished, then back at my fiancé amusement bubbling up. "You really think someone's going to crack that shell?"
"Trust me." Maddox's eyes dance with mischief. "Some things are just meant to be."
And as he pulls me in for another kiss, ignoring Jameson's wolf whistle and Mom's happy sigh, I know exactly what he means.
Because some love stories? They're written in the stars long before we realize they've begun.
Thank You for Reading The Spark Between Us!
I hope you loved Ivy and Maddox’s story as much as I loved writing it! Their journey was just the beginning—because the Callahan family has plenty more romance in store.
Next up? Rowan Callahan’s story in Sunshine and the Grumpy Groundskeeper! He’s perfectly happy keeping to himself, but when a hopelessly romantic children’s book author arrives at the lodge—completely unprepared for mountain life—Rowan finds himself roped into rescuing her more than once. And let’s just say, he’s not thrilled about it.
If you love grumpy sunshine romance, small-town charm, and slow-burn swoons in the mountains, you won’t want to miss it!