Epilogue
Four months later
“When do you want to get married?” Ben asked gruffly.
“As soon as you manage to come up with a more romantic proposal,” Aylin replied, grinning.
“I was afraid of that.” Ben laughed.
Aylin had finally found some comfortable outdoor furniture that she loved, so they sat on the deck of their house, each on their own cushioned chair, having a few drinks before dinner while they gazed across the lake.
There was a lot they needed to talk about since he’d gotten a call today from Dad, who’d just been contacted by one of his contacts at Quantico.
“There’s sure a lot of fishing boats down near the shore today. I know that you’re into speedboats and snowmobiles, but I think I’d like to have a sailboat,” Aylin said.
“That might be fun,” Ben agreed.
“It is,” she admitted. “Although it’s been years, I used to really enjoy sailing when I was a kid. My brother Alex used to take me all the time.”
They sat silent for the next several minutes in companionable silence.
“I’m still so disappointed in Beau,” she finally said softly. “It’s like there’s something lacking mentally in both him and Ash—they have no empathy . Ever since I was a kid, all Ash ever saw me as was a commodity since I wasn’t his full-blooded sister. I understand now why he insisted I attend that charter school. The only education I received while I was attending was how to become an obedient slave to whoever I married, along with learning about ancient Mideastern traditions. I’m not sure why none of us realized until now that I was being groomed. That’s how little regard he has for women—even his own mother.”
Ben frowned. “What worries me is the fact that he’s running around loose, when there are several crimes they can pin on him.” He sighed. “But I get it. There’s more going on with him than meets the eye, and they want to be able to capture the kingpins of the trafficking ring.”
“Your Dad has someone keeping a very close eye on him. Supposedly, what’s happened was close enough to an act of domestic terrorism that Jake was able to get the FBI involved. And what about you, Ben? When will you be activated?”
“Soon,” he admitted. It was almost like she’d read his mind, he realized, looking into those big blue eyes of hers. “I know that we’ve barely talked about it, but I’ll have to be away from you to go through training. They’re more in need of agents now than they’ve ever been. I’ll eventually be working in a unit focused on domestic terrorism, since I spent a lot of time coordinating multiple search and rescue units in Afghanistan when I was overseas serving in the Air Force. I could be traveling all over the country.” He grimaced. “But after what happened here at the Inn, I realized that I still have a lot to learn. I might have to be away from you for a while though, I’m sure that Dad thought it best to hold off on my training after you purchased the boutique. I’d kind of wondered, since I was only supposed to be here in Crystal Rock for six months once I returned.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “Both your family and some of mine are here to keep an eye on me. And heck, all I do is work. And I really do love what I do. But I’m gaining a lot of confidence in the people who work for me too. And I don’t have a problem traveling to be with you if you’re going to have to be away for a while.”
Ben smiled. “I was hoping you would say that. That’s part of the reason that Ash will be watched carefully. You deserve to have a life where you’re not having to constantly look over your shoulder.”
She frowned. “Don’t forget—you’re probably just as much of a target as I am.”
“But all we can do is move forward. Right?” he said.
“Right.”
“I love you Aylin,” Ben murmured, bending down on one knee from his chair.
Her mouth gaped open when he pulled a small box from his pocket, opening it carefully.
Tears filled her eyes when she saw the sparkling diamond ring, bordered by two deep blue sapphires. Since Ben had gotten to know her tastes pretty well, he’d had it specially designed for Aylin, and the stones were inset into intricate patterned prongs shaped by two dragonflies.
“It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen,” she said softly, bending down as he tugged the ring from its box, slipping it over her finger.
“I love you too, Ben,” she answered softly. “And of course I’ll marry you.”
“Do you remember our first kiss?” he asked.
“At the peak of Crystal Rock?” Her smile was tender. “How could I forget?”
“Supposedly, once you kiss at Dragonfly Pointe, your love is supposed to last forever.”
“That’s one of the most romantic things I’ve ever heard,” she replied, tears falling.
“It’s kind of a silly superstition, but since I’ve lived in Crystal Rock, I can’t discount that it might be true,” he admitted, becoming sheepish as he reached over, wiping away her tears. “I want us to have a huge wedding Aylin, with all our family. You’ve spent too much time in isolation. So while I’m away, you can begin planning.”
She smiled, apparently in agreement.
And then, he kissed her gently, tenderly—a promise that his love was forever, as fate had always meant for it to be.
He waggled his brows. “How about we go inside and forget about everything for a while?”
She gave him an impish grin. “It’s starting to get dark. I thought you wanted to make love under the stars?”
Ben laughed. “Alright. I’m game if you are.”
Aylin rushed from the deck and out onto the grassy lakefront.
Running after her, Ben scooped her into his arms, lifting her high in the air, resting her feet back onto the ground before pulling her into his arms for a heart fluttering kiss.