Epilogue
Cash
MY FIRST CIVILIAN-LIFE MISSION was to find Sabrina the perfect Christmas present. One would think it would be easy, but I’d never purchased a Christmas gift. And anything I’d ever bought for her, I’d seen her admiring first. The only thing she’d admired in the past several days was me, so that was no help, although I’d thoroughly enjoyed all our time together. Mia’s advice was to get her something thoughtful and from my heart. There was only one thing I could think of.
“Knock, knock.” Callie Belle peeked her head in the guest room door—the same room Izan had stayed in. It was a little odd, but I didn’t mention it. In fact, I don’t think anyone in Sabrina’s family wanted his name mentioned ever again. Especially since Lexi had already moved on with one of the local police officers, Josh, who’d “helped” the FBI investigate Izan. Apparently, Lexi was all about a simple life now.
I looked up from the silver wrapping paper lying on the bed covered in a Christmas quilt. Callie had decorated every room for Christmas.
“I thought you might like some help wrapping Sabrina’s gift,” Callie said.
How did she know I was inept when it came to these things? I’d been staring at the wrapping paper for several minutes, wondering how to go about wrapping a gift. Every present under the Belles’ tree looked like perfection, and I didn’t want to ruin the aesthetic Callie clearly prided herself on.
I gave her a sheepish grin. “That would be great. Thank you.”
Callie glided over, smiling so widely her cheeks must have hurt. She hadn’t stopped smiling like that since Sabrina and I had arrived yesterday. As soon as she reached me, she ran her fingers across Sabrina’s gift. “COCO MADEMOISELLE—very nice.”
“I also booked a trip to France for us in the spring,” I mumbled, worried she might think I’d only gotten Sabrina one gift. You couldn’t exactly wrap reservations. I just planned on telling her about the trip when she unwrapped the perfume.
Callie affectionately placed her delicate hand on my cheek, her eyes misting. “That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. She’s going to love it.”
Her motherly affection caught me by surprise, so I stood there like a dolt, not knowing what to say, despite the fact that I appreciated her gentle touch.
My silence didn’t deter her. Her free hand found my other cheek, and she held my face close to hers. “You’re a good man. I can feel it. We were so worried about you. We’re so glad you are healthy and whole again.” It was almost like she knew I worried that I wasn’t a good man. Certainly not good enough for her daughter. And she had no idea what her concern meant to me. I was doing my best to get used to people caring about me and me caring about them.
“Thank you” was all I could think to say. Hopefully someday I would be able to articulate my feelings better.
Callie tapped my cheeks before dropping her hands. “Let’s wrap this gift, shall we?”
I nodded.
Callie walked me through the process and tried to stay as hands off as possible, but she insisted on tying the red bow. When it was all said and done, I believed it looked worthy enough to go under the Belles’ tree.
“Thank you,” I said, relieved.
“You’re welcome. Now get into your Christmas pj’s and meet us in the kitchen for some cookie baking.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Callie quickly left, leaving me to change into the red-and-green-plaid pajamas she’d given me earlier in the day. Apparently, it was a Belle Christmas tradition to wear matching pajamas while making Christmas cookies and watching their favorite holiday movies. Admittedly, I was looking forward to it, even though I found it odd. I was beginning to think my younger self was wrong about families. They weren’t a lie—it’s just that good families took a lot of work, and some people weren’t willing to put in the time and effort.
It didn’t take long for me to change into the pajamas. I walked out into the hall with the wrapped present. The sounds of Christmas carols and laughter rang through the house. I smiled as I walked toward the great room to place Sabrina’s gift under the twenty-foot tree glowing brightly near the roaring fireplace. It was as if I’d been transported into a Christmas card.
I let Sabrina sneak up behind me, knowing full well she was there. She might be clever, but she hadn’t mastered the art of being stealthy.
She wrapped her arms around me from behind after I’d deposited her gift. “Merry Christmas.”
I placed my hands over hers on my chest for a beat or two, soaking in this moment—a moment I’d believed I would never have. Unable to resist taking her into my arms any longer, I turned around and gathered her close to me, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. “Merry Christmas.” I wasn’t sure I had ever uttered those words.
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
“You two better get in here,” Nana Rose yelled from the kitchen.
I swallowed hard. The woman was handsy.
“Don’t worry—I’ll protect you.” Sabrina laughed, knowing my thoughts.
But it struck me that I now had someone in my life to protect me. That that was the best gift anyone had ever given me. “I love you, Sabrina.” Those words were coming naturally and more often now.
“I love you too. Now, kiss me like you mean it.”
Her wish was my command. She was my new boss , after all, and I planned to keep it that way.
Sabrina
I LOOKED UP AT brETT—well, Cash—as we strolled together through the streets of Bordeaux in late May. A few times I’d accidentally called him Brett in front of my family, and they’d gotten worried that maybe I was seeing someone else. Mama and Daddy had a “talk” with me about what a great catch Cash was and that they didn’t raise me to be the kind of girl to cheat. Regrettably, I’d had to tell them it was just some game we played to keep the romance alive in our relationship. After that, my family began teasing him and calling him Brett occasionally.
“I can’t believe we’re here again,” I gushed, taking in the sights and smells, reliving our time here almost four years ago. The scent of fresh bread and wine filled the air. I could hear glasses clinking as we walked by the outdoor cafés. I’d been looking forward to this trip ever since Cash had gifted it to me for Christmas.
Cash raised our clasped hands and rested his warm lips upon my hand, smiling nervously.
“Are you okay? You’ve been a little quiet.”
Not like he was a super talkative guy, which was fine by me because what he did have to say was always thoughtful and full of meaning. These last five months had been a tremendous learning experience for him. He was having to get used to a “normal” life, only working Monday through Friday during typical business hours, and even just the mundane things of life, like grocery shopping and running errands.
“Of course, I’m here with you,” he responded.
I bit my lip, concerned he wasn’t being totally honest. “Do you miss your old life? Do you regret choosing me?”
Cash’s handsome face fell. “How could you think that?”
I shrugged. “I just want to make sure you’re happy.” As for me, I’d been ridiculously happy. It had been the best time of my life. It was made even more fun when Drew had moved to Park City to be with Mia and so we’d been able to do lots of things together as couples. The lovebirds were getting married next month back home.
In a flash, Cash had me pressed up against a brick wall, his muscular body sheltering mine.
“This seems familiar,” I said breathlessly, feeling just like I had the first moment we met and he’d crashed into my world. I knew then, just like I knew now, that my life would never be the same again.
Cash took my face in his hands, his thumbs gently caressing my cheeks as his blue eyes bore deeply into mine with such intensity. “Can I kiss you?”
“Yes, please,” I whispered, lost in him.
He lowered his head until our lips met like they had hundreds, if not thousands, of times before. But this kiss felt different. Our breaths slowed in sync as his mouth moved over mine gently and repeatedly, like a delicate dance that we knew by heart and could perform with precision. I loved the way he took his time, as if savoring a fine wine.
His lips glided off mine, and he pressed soft, warm kisses across my cheek to my ear, where he whispered, “Being with you is the best decision of my life. The only reason I’ve been quiet is because I’ve been wondering if I would do well playing a new role in your life.”
“You mean someone besides Brett?”
Cash chuckled for a moment before smiling. “I was thinking more along the lines of husband.”
“Oh,” I gasped. “Um ... well ... if you want my opinion, I will go with yes. I think you’d be excellent in that role.”
“I was hoping you would say that.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an Edwardian-style European-cut diamond ring, holding it carefully between two fingers.
I stared at the gorgeous ring, unable to blink for being so stunned. Of course, I’d dreamed of this day, even longed for it. But Cash and I had never broached the subject of marriage. I’d figured he was just trying to settle into his new life, and I didn’t want to push him, seeing as he’d changed his entire world for me. That was already huge.
“Sabrina,” he spoke my name so reverently. “I never thought I would be husband material, and maybe I’m still not. But you’ve shown me what makes life worth living, and I can’t imagine my life without you. So, I’m hoping you’ll take another chance on me and Brett .” He grinned, making me giggle. “Will you marry me?”
“Well, you’re in luck. The position of husband has just become available, and I think you are perfect for the promotion.”
“Is that a yes?” he crooned.
“Yes. A million times, yes.”
THE END