Epilogue
Six Months Later
The cheerful jingle of bells announced the arrival of a customer. I looked at Mom, who was busy assembling a bouquet of roses. Every muscle in her face was engaged as she worked her way around the prickly thorns. “I’ll go see who that is,” I said.
“Thanks,” she mumbled, adding in some baby’s breath. She stepped back to observe her masterpiece, sighing contentedly.
Our floral shop, Sunbeam & Sage, had only been open for a couple of months, but after an article Scott had published for the newly-managed Seattle Sun, business had exploded. We had our hands full and would soon need more help, but we weren’t complaining. It felt like a dream, spending my days surrounded by flowers, and working with Mom.
“Do you think it’s too much if I add in some heliconia?” She grinned, waving the exotic South American blooms.
“Go for it.” I winked. We had a dedicated section of Wyatt’s greenhouse reserved exclusively for our shop and enjoyed adding in little highlights of rarity. It was what set us apart from every other floral shop in the city.
As I turned to leave the design room, I ran headfirst into Fiona.
“Sorry.” She gripped a large wooden crate overflowing with flowers.
“Can I help?” I asked.
“Don’t you dare. I’m just bringing in some of the newest cuts.” She glanced toward the giant walk-in refrigerator. “Hi, Hope.”
“Hi, dear,” Mom replied. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks. It’s good to be back.” Fiona had surprised me by asking to work with us, and against all odds, the two of us had formed a close friendship. She liked to split her time between the village and the city, and whenever she was in Seattle, she spent her days working as an employee of Sunbeam & Sage. As a bonus, she took care of all our deliveries. I didn’t think it was a coincidence that the rate of single men ordering floral deliveries had increased exponentially since hiring Fiona.
“Looks like you have a picky customer out there.” Her head jerked in the direction of the showroom. “Good luck.”
Laughing, I wiped my hands on the linen apron, the logo for our shop emblazoned across the front in elegant script. Savannah had done an amazing job with our branding, and we were lucky that the hottest new PR firm in the city, Savannah Charm, had taken us on as one of their first clients – pro bono, a perk of having a best friend in the industry. High on her success from the Carder gala, Savannah had taken the leap and started her own firm, which was largely unheard of at twenty-four, backed by Grandview and its newly acquired businesses. Though she’d be taking some time off the next few months to plan her wedding to Connor. He’d finally popped the question, and they were planning on a fall wedding, which meant I’d actually be able to fit into my maid of honor dress.
We were all thrilled that Connor had decided to officially put down roots in Seattle, with approval from Bannon of course. The wolves and sasquatches had put their centuries-old rivalry aside to sign a new treaty, one where either side would assist when called upon. The Carders may have been stopped, but as Wyatt often warned me, there were still things to be afraid of in the dark.
As a sign of goodwill, the Dakota wolves had been offered stock in Grandview, but they’d turned down the sasquatches’ gift. It seemed that in the end, they were content with their simple biker lifestyles.
Walking into the showroom, I knew who our customer was even before I saw his face, my body vibrating in response to him being in proximity. There was only one six-foot-seven man in Seattle who had that effect on me.
Wyatt turned from where he was browsing the table of ready-made floral arrangements, his lips curving slowly into that seductive smile I loved. “How much for the orchids?”
“I’m not sure you can afford them.”
“Oh, I’m sure I can pay them off some way.”
I didn’t think his smile could get any better, but then he flashed that seductive Wyatt grin that hinted at mischief and adventure, and I had to swallow hard as his eyes trailed down my body like he wanted to devour me right then and there. I didn’t think it was possible to be this horny during pregnancy, but our sex life had been better than ever. We continued to explore each other in new, daring ways. I would never get sick of him.
His eyes softened and he rested his hand lightly on my belly, which was beginning to feel more like a giant bowling ball. “How are my two favorite girls?”
I placed my hand on top of his and smiled. “Starving. Where are you taking us for lunch?”
“We’re having my favorite. Il Nido.”
After saying our goodbyes, we left the shop. The Bronco was parked on the street, and as he opened the passenger door, a familiar head poked out.
“Hi Brown Dog.” I laughed, as he covered my cheek in slobbery kisses.
It had been a warm spring, and we kept the windows down as we drove through downtown Seattle. But instead of turning down the street to Il Nido, he pulled onto the highway. My brow raised. “Where are you taking us?”
“You’ll see,” he murmured. “Just relax and enjoy the ride.”
After a few minutes, he turned off the highway and into an empty dirt parking lot. A familiar trailhead greeted us. I looked at Wyatt, but his face didn’t give anything away. “Come on,” he said. “Lunch is waiting.”
I loved everything about spring. It smelled like freshly cut grass and dew, and it was a sign of hope, a promise of new beginnings after the darkness of winter. As we walked down the trail, through the lush green forest, my heart began to beat even faster. I knew where he was taking me.
The meadow held special meaning to us. It was where we’d had our first official date, and where I’d first realized I was in love with him. It was where I’d accepted him for what he was, and taken a chance on us. The meadow was our very own spring – a beginning anew.
Even without the lupines in full bloom, the meadow was picturesque, the grasses and wildflowers a bright contrast against the snow-covered peaks of the mountains. The air was fresh and crisp, mixed with the subtle scent of pine. I breathed in happily and settled onto the checkered blanket next to the wicker basket. I closed my eyes and inhaled the smell of pasta, while Brown Dog frolicked merrily around the field. “This is perfect.”
When I opened my eyes, Wyatt was no longer standing. He was down on one knee. His hand shook as he held out the small velvet box.
“What are you doing?” I murmured.
“Something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.” His voice trembled. “Go ahead, open it.”
I opened the lid, expecting to see another golden charm. But instead, a large emerald-cut diamond sparkled back at me. “Wyatt,” I gasped.
“I know you said you didn’t need it, but I can’t think of anything I want more than to call you my wife.” His golden eyes shimmered with intensity and hope. “Harper Davis, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
I could barely speak, but somehow I managed to get the words out. “Yes. Of course.” I held out my trembling finger. He gently placed the ring on my left hand. It slid onto my finger perfectly. The sun glinted off the diamond against the backdrop of blue sky. “I love it.” I fell toward him with my arms extended.
We toppled to the blanket, laughing. “Ow,” he said, rubbing his arms.
“Sorry.” We settled comfortably on the blanket, lying side by side. “I forget how strong I am right now.”
One of the side effects of growing Wyatt’s baby was remarkable strength. Tim had confirmed that I was still fully human and that my genetics hadn’t changed. But we didn’t yet know what genetics our child would have. Nothing like this had ever happened before, between a sasquatch and a human. With time, we would know just how special our little girl was.
Wyatt’s arm wrapped around me, resting protectively on my belly. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
“You’re going to be the best dad,” I whispered.
“I’m scared. I don’t know anything about being a father.”
“I don’t think anyone really does. I mean, look at my dad. He made a ton of mistakes. But in the end, he was there for me when it mattered most. You’ll figure it out, just like he did.” I had fully let go of any lingering resentment, and had a healthy relationship with my father. We had a lot of lost time to make up for, but Tim had given him a job in his lab, so I got to see him every day. “Thank you again, by the way, for what you did for both my parents.”
“You know I’d do anything for you, Harper.” He paused. “Are you sure you don’t want to try Tim’s formula? He’s positive it wouldn’t affect our baby.”
When Tim’s formula had worked on my mom, reversing the evil done by the Carders, he’d quickly gotten to work creating a version that wouldn’t affect the life growing inside me. If I wanted, I could have all the memories that Valentina had stolen, back. It had been a tough decision to make, but in the end, I’d made up my mind.
I shook my head. “I don’t need those memories. The ones I have with you are enough. The past is the past. What matters now is our future and I think it’s going to be a good one.”
He frowned, swiping my moist cheek. “Just to confirm, these are happy tears, right?”
I laughed, my heart filled with joy. Wyatt Westwood may have looked and sounded human, blending in as one of Seattle’s ‘Sexiest Under Forty’ billionaires, but in the end, he would always be a sasquatch.
My sasquatch.
My big love.