Epilogue
ALEX
At the center of the room, Finn tapped his glass of champagne, gathering the attention of the assembled crowd.
“My business partners and I would like to thank everyone for coming out today. Your support over the past few months has been nothing short of amazing. None of us are originally from Glenlaig, but you’ve all made us feel welcome here. For three former military lads, that means everything. Thank you, too, to Ardinmuir Event Planning for helping us put together this open house so we can most effectively introduce our business to all of you. So please, enjoy the nibblies put together by Chef Afton Colquhoun and take a look at the adventures we have on offer. And if you’d like, please book your excursion, because Out of Bounds Scotland is officially open for business!”
A cheer rose up around our front lobby, where family and friends had gathered to celebrate with us today. The space bore no resemblance to the tiny, slightly sad, rough-around-the-edges room I’d walked into all those months ago. We’d vaulted the ceiling and installed larger windows all around to take advantage of sunny days when we got them. The long back wall dividing the lobby from our offices and warehouse was covered in large, framed action shots of all of us, demonstrating the assorted services and adventures we were offering. Ciara’s idea and Kyla’s photography. A new custom-built reception desk occupied one end, with clustered seating for those awaiting their excursion appointments or equipment rental. It all looked pretty slick and official.
Of course, we didn’t actually have a receptionist. That was on the list we hadn’t gotten around to just yet. God knew, none of us had the temperaments to deal with running an office full-time. We all preferred to be out and about. But as it was still February, our offerings were slimmer just now. Business would ramp up when spring fully hit, so we had time. More to the point, we needed income to pay for a receptionist or office manager. Meanwhile, we’d started taking future bookings on the website I’d built. Callum had believed if we built it, customers would come, and he’d been right. We already had trips booked well into spring and summer.
A familiar arm slid around my waist. “Hey, handsome. How does it feel?”
I tucked Ciara closer to my side. “It feels pretty fucking fantastic to have you here with me.”
She gave a teasing pinch of my waist. “I meant the grand opening.”
“Oh, well, that’s nice, too.” But my focus wasn’t really on the party. I had bigger plans for later in the day. Plans that involved surprising her.
The past few months had been blessedly quiet. Brodie had been convicted on charges of assault and stalking, and had already begun his five-year prison sentence. Johanna Klein was likewise incarcerated, and for a lot longer. Ciara and I had both done a lot of healing, physical and otherwise, and I was finally ready to take the reins of our happily ever after. I just hoped it didn’t backfire on me.
Somehow, I made it through the party, smiling and chatting with all our guests, answering questions, booking trips. But by 3:30, I was itching to get on with my plan. Spotting Hamish across the room talking to Finn, I managed to catch his eye and give the signal. He gave a subtle nod and paused to send a text.
The countdown had begun.
It took another half hour for the party to begin winding down and for people to start clearing out. I snagged the last of the spring rolls. “Are you ready to get out of here?”
“Don’t you have to, you know, clean up?” Ciara asked.
I offered a smug smile. “I drew the long straw, so I’m not on cleanup duty.” That wasn’t actually true. Callum and Finn knew what I was about and were doing me a solid by letting me sneak out early.
“In that case, I’ve had enough of crowds. I say we thaw out some of the stew from the freezer and curl up for a Dr. Who marathon.”
“Put a pin in that. I have something to give you first.”
Her blue eyes brightened. “Oh? What is it? Not that I’m opposed to presents.”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
We said our goodbyes and stepped outside.
“What’s the occasion?” she persisted.
“A thank you for all of your help with the planning of the party and with all the other things you’ve done. Beyond anything else, just because you’re you, and you make me happy.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet. Your odds of getting lucky tonight were already pretty maxed out, but this is even better.”
I shot her a heated look across the center console. “Definitely put a pin in that for later.”
When I didn’t turn to park behind the pub, she straightened in her seat. “Where are we going?”
“It’s at my place.”
“I didn’t know you had anything left at your flat since you basically moved in with me.”
“Is that a complaint?”
“No, absolutely not. You know I love having you with me.”
I parked at the kerb and led her up the stairs I’d barely used the past few months. All was quiet on the other side of the door, and for a moment I wondered if I’d given Hamish’s daughter enough time to move things. But we were here now, so I unlocked the door and swung it open.
Ciara was looking at me as she stepped inside, but at the metallic jingle, she turned and spotted her surprise. “Oh my God!”
From inside the wire crate, the puppy stared at her out of mismatched eyes and wagged her wee tail.
Ciara sank down in front of the crate, curling her fingers through the bars. The puppy licked her knuckles. “She’s adorable. But what are you thinking? We can’t have a dog in the flat. There’s not enough room! And what will Saffron think?”
“I was thinking that you’ve been wanting a dog for months, and you’ve been trying to hide how sad you were when Havoc went home to Isobel and Ewan. You deserve a pet who adores you without reservation.” Particularly as Saffron basically just tolerated her. She was absolutely my cat.
“But where will we put her?”
“I have a plan. There’s a second part to all of this.”
“There’s more?”
“All in good time. Let’s take the wee girl out.”
She opened the cage, and the puppy tumbled out, all brown and white fur, clambering into her lap and immediately standing up to lick Ciara’s face. Their mutual love fest made me grin. Part one of this surprise was going exactly according to my plan.
“Oh, I love her. She’s so sweet!”
“She could probably do with a walk. I’m no’ sure how long it’s been since she’s been out.”
“How about that, wee one? Do you want to go walkies?”
Ciara snapped on the leash that had been laid over a chair and carried the pup outside. I subtly steered them both down the street, toward the residential section of the village. Once we reached a grassy area, she let the puppy down and allowed her to sniff all the things. The smile creasing Ciara’s face as she watched the wee dog was the best thing I’d seen in months. She was so enamored, she didn’t even realize I’d stopped until I reached out to snag her hand.
“We’ve come to part two.”
She glanced around the street at the quiet houses. “I don’t understand.”
“The past few months, we’ve been working on blending our worlds, building that life we talked about all those years ago. I think we’ve been wisely cautious, given everything that happened. But it’s time for us to take things to the next level. So, I got us a house.” I pulled out the keys and dangled them.
Ciara stared. “You bought us a house?”
“Well, I rented us a house with the option to buy, in case you hate it. But it’s got enough room for us and our stuff, Saffron, and this wee pup here.”
Stunned, she followed me up the walk to the three-bedroom cottage. I gave her the grand tour. Like any property, it would need a bit of work and customization. Paint, at the very least, as everything was stark white. Ciara listened patiently as I pointed out all the features, finally ending in the kitchen, which opened out to the back garden. “It’s still close to town, but there’s a garden space that’s already fenced, and plenty of room for all your shoes. Though I expect you’ll want to put them away while this one is teething.”
She hadn’t said a single word other than noncommittal murmurs as I led her through the house, and I was starting to think I’d made a major mistake. I couldn’t read her expression. Maybe I was moving too fast. Maybe I was getting too serious.
Abruptly, she launched herself at me, and I staggered, managing to catch her without squashing the puppy in her arms. “I love it. And I love you. So much.”
“So that’s a yes?”
On a joyful laugh, she looped her free arm around my neck. “Aye, that’s absolutely a yes.”
As her mouth found mine, I wondered exactly how long I’d have to wait before she’d let me put a ring on her finger.
If I had my way, not long.
Not long at all.