Epilogue
Jane held Storm’s reins loosely as they rode along the golden shoreline.
The late afternoon sun streamed over the rushing whitecaps, making them glint and glimmer in the light.
She glanced over and smiled at Sully, who’d taken Peanut Butter on their afternoon trail ride.
The horse had an odd fascination and fear with the rolling surf, dancing as close to the water as possible then startling each time the water foamed over her hooves.
Nothing fazed Storm. As long as the mare was with Jane, the horse was steadfast and unshakable, galloping through long stretches of pasture, taking strolls through shady forest trails, or trotting through the surf.
It had been nearly a month since Bentley had been arrested.
The case against her was dropped, after Sully’s brother had admitted to stealing the medication from the hospital’s pharmacy and planting the pills in her purse before calling in a tip to the local police.
He was being tried for two counts of attempted murder, along with a host of other charges.
Sully’s parents were understandably devastated at their youngest son’s actions, but they were coping.
Sully and Red were officially off combat duty and working to train the new generations of Navy SEALS.
The four of them got together at least once a week, taking day trips to the beach or swimming at Red and Thalia’s condo unit.
They always invited Jude, but he’d become more withdrawn recently, silently retreating into himself.
For someone already so stoic and reserved, the change was concerning.
Iron and Vivienne had visited Coronado last week to look at vacation homes and put in an offer on a cottage with a private stretch of beach.
She’d found the other woman sweet and down to earth, despite her previous status as a model and influencer.
After a lengthy legal battle, Vivienne had retained all the earnings she’d made in the fashion industry that her parents had tried to funnel into hidden accounts.
She told them there was nothing she’d rather spend her money on than her fiancé, remaining family members, and friends, and that the beach cottage, which Jane supposed was a cute word for the mansion, was the perfect spot for get-togethers.
She drew in a breath of the salt-laden air, letting the refreshing scent coat her lungs.
Her hair tangled in the breeze, and she tilted her face up toward the sun, letting it warm her skin.
Here, with Sully by her side, she found a sense of peace and security she never thought she’d experience again.
She squinted her eyes at the stretch of beach ahead, trying to make out what lay ahead of them.
As they got closer, she glanced at Sully and laughed.
His mother was waving at them like a maniac with a big grin on her face and his father stood at her side.
“What are you two doing here?” she asked and slid off Storm. The movement was becoming more fluid now that she was riding nearly every day. There was nothing like taking Storm out into a wide-open space and letting her gallop.
“We came to pick up the horses.” Kelly bounced up on her toes and took Storm’s reins out of her hands.
“Do you have something to do with this?” She narrowed her eyes at Sully who gave her an easy shrug.
“Maybe they were just in the area,” he teased and dismounted Peanut Butter. “Thanks for bringing them back to the ranch.” Sully placed the horse’s reins in his father’s hands.
John winked at her, then grabbed Kelly’s hand and began to walk up the beach with the horses.
“Are you going to fill me in on what’s happening right now?” She raised a brow but couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
He looped his arm around her waist and pointed to a glowing light in the distance. “We’ve got plans.”
“Yeah? What kind of plans?” She stopped to take off her shoes and Sully leaned down to pick them up. The pink sneakers looked silly hanging off his large fingers.
“Ones that involve just me and you, the sunset, and ice cream sundaes.”
She groaned. “You’re way too good to me.” The sand was soft beneath her bare feet and every time the waves rushed up on the shore, the cool water laced over her toes.
“No.” He shook his head. “You just haven’t been with someone who treats you the way you deserve.”
As they approached the light he’d pointed out, she could now see it was illuminating the front of a small seaside cabin. “Are we trespassing?” she whispered.
“Not tonight.” His smile flashed so brightly, there was a pang in her heart. “I rented it.”
She laughed. “But why?”
“Because I want to spend the night curled around my beautiful woman with the sound of waves in my ears. I want the sunrise to wake us up before we make love in the ocean. Then I want to lie in the sand and kiss you.”
“Sully,” she murmured past the thickness in her throat. “Thank you.” She laid her hand on his chest, and he sucked in a quick breath.
“I’m going to get us some drinks. Then we can lie in the hammock and watch the sunset.
” While he ran inside, she stood and watched the ocean.
A warm breeze kissed her cheek. She wasn’t sure how her life had changed so quickly or become so full.
She had Sully, friends, and a new job she’d start at the nearby hospital in two weeks.
“Ready to try to get in this thing without falling on our asses?” Sully leaned in to kiss her cheek and passed her a glass of wine.
“I’m not sure if that’s possible, especially holding a glass.” She laughed and slid in beside him. The hammock swung wildly for a few moments as they got settled.
“You know how goddamn special you are, right?” The emotion in Sully’s tone had her looking up and the expression in his gaze slammed straight into her chest. “You once told me I’d get tired of your impulsiveness, but how could I when you make every day such an adventure?
You add fucking magic to my life, Jane, and I will never take that for granted.
Will never take you for granted. I love every part of you from the way you panic when you misplace your keys to watching you take care of everyone around you and not once asking for anything in return.
I love the parts of you that are insecure and the other parts that are bold and fearless.
I’ve never loved or been loved as fiercely.
I want you with me, Jane. Always.” Sully raised his arm above them and something shimmered in his outstretched fingers. “I want you to be my wife.”
Her breath bottled up in her throat and tears burned in her eyes.
When she was finally able to breathe again, she turned toward him in the hammock.
“I don’t trust easily, Sully. But I trusted you immediately.
Maybe my soul recognized something vital and safe in yours.
My trust has never been misplaced with you.
What we have together is everything I’ve never dared to dream of.
With you I can be myself. Exactly who I am and know with certainty that you’ll love me no matter what.
I love you, Sully. I can’t imagine spending any more time apart. ”
“So, is that a yes?” He rubbed his nose against hers, then kissed her, hard.
“Yes. Absolutely, yes,” she said, a tear falling down her cheek and splashing onto the fabric of the hammock.
He took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger.
The sparkling solitaire diamond stole her breath.
They lay like that as the sun cast orange streaks across the horizon for a long time.
Longer when stars glittered beneath the dark sky.
She had her head on his chest as the hammock swayed alongside the symphony of waves crashing on the shore.
She couldn’t imagine ever loving someone like she loved Sully, and he made sure she didn’t forget how much she was loved in return.
“The best decision I ever made was jumping in that river,” she said.
“Mine, too.” A broad grin stretched over Sully’s features and her chest ached with love.
The End