Epilogue
BLISS
Zane and I are sitting next to each other in the hot tub.
It’s not even dark yet, but we spent the day working calves together, and I’m beginning to think I’m the older one in this relationship because my bones hurt.
Moving cattle panels is fine as long as you stay in motion.
But when you sit down in your truck after a day of setting up corrals…
I always wonder if I’ll be able to walk again.
Tonight, Zane carried me straight from the pickup to the bedroom to put on swimsuits. He even grabbed us a couple of drinks while I waddled out to the hot tub. It’s wildly unfair that he seems unfazed by today’s work.
He still amazes me.
It’s been three months of pure joy. I didn’t know it could be so much fun being married to your best friend.
Zane has finally won me over to the fact that we are best friends. He tells me it’s the highest compliment he can give me and that he’s so lucky that he has a sexy best friend who’s also his wife.
Now that I know I don’t have to separate the two—being friends and being in a relationship together—I, too, am enjoying our dynamic.
We’re enjoying a slower week together before Briar gets here next week. She’s flying up with her family, including the new baby, Billy, and staying for two weeks.
Zane and I are spending as much time together as we can, because I know we won’t have much alone time for a while. Briar said she’s going to be glued to my side while she’s here and that she’s long overdue for some girl time.
Poor Belle isn’t going to make it up yet because she had her baby, Belinda, three weeks ago and isn’t able to fly yet.
“Do you suppose we could fly to Texas for a quick weekend?” I ask Zane.
He stretches an arm around me. “Sure. When were you thinking?”
“Maybe after Briar’s visit?”
He smiles down at me. “You want to meet Belinda, don’t you?”
“If I’m going to be her favorite aunt, she should at least meet me before her first birthday,” I argue.
Zane laughs. “You don’t have to convince me. I think we could get all of our work straightened away and fly down for a visit.”
I turn and press a kiss against his cheek. “You’re the best husband.”
“Hmm, tell me more.” He turns to kiss my lips.
Our kiss is interrupted when my phone rings. With a sigh, I pull back and then lean over the edge of the hot tub so I can stare at the name on the screen. It’s Magnolia.
“I probably don’t have to answer that, right?” I ask Zane, staring at the phone on the small table next to the hot tub.
Zane leans down and pulls me tight against him. “As long as she’s not video calling, it’s probably safe.”
We’re sitting in our hot tub, waiting for the sunset. Life doesn’t get any better than this.
I sigh and reach for the phone that keeps ringing. She must have ended the call and immediately called again. Hopefully nothing is wrong.
“Magnolia? Is everything okay?” I answer the phone while I lean over the edge of the hot tub.
Zane’s fingers walk from the base of my neck down my spine. I narrow my eyes at him, knowing he’s trying to distract me—and it’s working.
“I just wanted to let you know that Dee has been planning a surprise birthday party for you. She’s been trying to get a hold of Zane all day and has been telling everyone to come to your place at seven thirty.”
“What?” I shriek, standing up abruptly.
“I know. I thought you’d like the warning. I’ve been trying to reach you all day.”
“They’re having a surprise party here? My birthday isn’t until next week!”
“It all sounded very spur of the moment, and she didn’t think you would mind,” she groans. “But as a newlywed, I knew I didn’t want to walk into your house and be scarred for life by something I see.”
“Um, yes. Wise choice. Yes, you might have been traumatized. I’m not even dressed right now!” I exclaim.
Magnolia gags. “There are some details even I don’t need to know.”
“I meant I’m wearing a swimsuit! I am NOT naked right now.”
“Speak for yourself,” Zane says loudly.
I glare at him. He’s wearing his swim shorts and just trying to tease me. He’s doing a good job of embarrassing me.
“Zane is wearing his favorite Speedo,” I tell Magnolia. “He could have traumatized everyone who showed up.”
“I am not wearing a Speedo,” Zane says close to the phone. He reaches out a hand and tweaks my nose.
I place a hand on his forehead and attempt to push him under the water. He’s too strong and doesn’t even budge.
Zane laughs loudly.
Magnolia sighs. “I’m assuming that Zane is right there with you.”
“Yes. Okay. Well, thank you for saving me a lifetime of embarrassment and having to go on the run. I’ll get dressed before people get here. A surprise birthday party?”
“Dee was feeling good today when she was in town and really wanted to do something special for you.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet of her.” I sigh. I don’t know my mother-in-law well, but she has really put in the effort to make me feel welcome in the Madden family. And I know with her rheumatoid arthritis, there aren’t a lot of days where she feels like she can do much.
“I’m finishing at the bakery and picking up Nash from the lodge, then we’re heading your way. I’m bringing the birthday cake, by the way. And, if you tell Dee that I ruined the surprise, I’ll lie and say I didn’t tell you,” Magnolia threatens.
“Don’t worry, I’ll practice my surprised face in the mirror.”
I hang up the phone and leap out of the hot tub.
“Hey, where are you going?” Zane asks.
“To put some pants on!” I grab one of the towels off the deck chair.
“Just pants?” He stands up but doesn’t climb out yet.
I toss him the other towel when he turns around. “Your mom is bringing a surprise party TO us. We have to hurry!”
“Well, if Magnolia hadn’t called, we wouldn’t be the only ones getting a surprise.”
“Has anyone told you that you have a sick sense of humor?”
“I’m sure you have before…”
I dry my legs off, then wrap the towel around my middle.
“Your mom will probably be here in two minutes if she’s the one driving! I left a pile of laundry on the couch, and I’m wearing a string bikini!”
“And looking great while you do.” He grins.
I throw another towel at his head, and he catches it as he climbs out of the hot tub.
He stalks toward me, a familiar look in his eye.
“Don’t do that. Not right now, Zane! People are on their way here!”
“Don’t do what right now?” he teases.
He dips his head down and catches me around my waist before I can get away. He grins down at me, and even though we’re short on time, I stand on my tiptoes and press a kiss against his lips. I pull back and point a finger at him. “Stop trying to distract me!”
His grin widens. “Is it working? Do you feel distracted?” He bends down and kisses my neck. “How about now?”
“Zane!” I squeal as he picks me up and carries me inside. “People are coming!”
He sighs and slowly sets me down on the living room rug. “So, you’re saying I should go put some pants on?”
I nod once, doing my best to keep a straight face. I fail, though, and end up laughing when Zane threatens to go find a Speedo to wear when the guests show up.
He catches me in his arms one more time. “We could hide. Pretend we’re not home.”
I smile. “Do you want to know a secret?”
“What?”
“I’ve never had a surprise birthday before.”
“This isn’t exactly a surprise,” he says dryly.
I pat his bare chest. “It’s the thought that counts. And I want to look cute when they show up.”
He kisses my lips quickly. “You always look gorgeous. No matter what you’re wearing or what style your hair is. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world. And the only woman for me.”
Zane scoops me off the ground and kisses me deeply. He mumbles against my lips, “I hope you know how much I love you.”
“I love you more.”
“I love you the most.”
“I love you—” His retort is cut off by a loud knock.
“Zane! I’m still in a bikini!” I wiggle out of his hold and dash down the hall toward our room while Zane saunters to the front door to greet the ‘surprise’ party.
I didn’t know a person could be this happy.
THE END
Thank you for reading Betting on Bliss! I hope you enjoyed your escape to Pine Ridge, were inspired to have a goat, and drink far too much coffee.
As a writer, I want the romcoms I write to be a hilarious, soul-relieving, hearty-happy experience for the reader.
I hope you got to experience that with this story.