Epilogue
Two months later…
Moe held the door for Breely as they stepped out the back door of the lodge carrying glasses of iced lemonade.
Breely laughed. “I feel a little déjà vu, don’t you?” A shiver rippled down her spine despite the bright summer sunshine warming the air in West Yellowstone. “I can’t believe it’s been two months since the explosion.”
Moe nodded. “Thankfully, Dillon is behind bars along with his sidekick.”
“Between the sidekick and the pilot, they filled in the blanks. Dillon didn’t have to tell all.” Breely sighed. “I think it’s fitting that we’re celebrating the lodge reopening today and that Venezuela is electing a new president. I can’t wait to find out who won.”
“Me, too.” Moe glanced over his shoulder. “Are they coming?”
“I thought they were.” Breely leaned back into the lodge. “Mom, Dad, are you coming out back with us?”
“We’re coming,” her mother said. “Your father filled his glass too full and is afraid he’ll spill it on the freshly cleaned floors.”
Moe held the door for Breely’s folks.
Her mother patted his cheek on her way through. “You’re a good man, Morris.”
Breely was glad her mother and father had warmed up to Moe. She loved her parents and wanted them to love the man she cared about most. And Breely loved Moe with all her heart.
Everything about that day was beautiful and good. Breely was happy that all of Moe’s team were able to make the celebratory reopening of the lodge. Their girlfriends and fiancées had come as well.
Stone and John Jacobs had grill duty, with strict instructions from Cookie not to burn the steaks.
Cookie had recovered nicely from smoke inhalation and was busy in the kitchen with Tinker as his helper, making all the sides that would accompany the meats on the grill.
Tables had been arranged on the back porch, with red gingham tablecloths and vases of red and white carnations. That had been Breely’s mother’s contribution. Fiona Brantt had fallen in love with the lodge and West Yellowstone the moment she’d arrived a week ago.
Robert Brantt had pulled strings and called in favors to have the lodge restored in record time. He’d even had a stone pizza oven built in the place where the explosion had blown out a wall in the kitchen.
If Cookie hadn’t been in the pantry when the charges had gone off, he wouldn’t have survived. The kitchen had been demolished.
Breely’s father had worked with his architects and John Jacobs to have the place restored with all the modern conveniences and an eye to preserving the structural past. Both John and Cookie had been thrilled with the outcome.
An army of restoration specialists had cleaned the walls, ceilings and wood floors, removing soot and the smell. Carpets and furniture that couldn’t be salvaged had been replaced.
Breely had just set down her glass of lemonade when the back door of the lodge opened and a German shepherd trotted through, followed by two women and two more men.
One of the women Breely recognized by the advertisements and movie trailers. Her beautiful light blond hair and blue eyes were unmistakable.
Breely recognized the man with her as Hank Patterson, the one who’d been with Moe at the Tumbleweed Tavern the night that had changed her life.
Hank leaned close to his wife. “Darling, I think we timed it right. I smell steak!”
“Of course, you smell it. We sent some of our best down for this celebration.” She crossed the porch to where Kyla leaned against a post, her face pale. “Kyla, honey, it’s so good to see you.”
Kyla gave her a wan smile but held up her hands. “Great to see you too, Sadie, and I’d love a hug, but you might not want to get too close.”
Sadie frowned, “Why?”
Kyla rubbed her belly. “I’m not feeling too hot, today. I think it’s something I ate.”
“Oh, sweetie,” Sadie took her arm and led her to a rocking chair. “You sit and let everyone else help themselves. Would you like for me to get you a glass of ginger ale to help settle your stomach?”
Kyla shook her head. “No, thank you. Really, I’ll be fine. I don’t want to bring this party down over a little tummy disagreement.”
“You’re not bringing us down.” Sadie made her way around the porch and out onto the lawn greeting everyone. Her smile made each person feel like her best friend.
When she came back up to the porch, she stopped in front of Breely. “I hear you’re going to work at the lodge.”
Breely nodded. “I love being around people and close to Moe and his team. Mr. Jacobs said that I could bring my horse down from Kalispell if I want. They have room in the barn.”
Sadie hugged her close. “I’m just glad you’ve decided to stay with us. You’re part of the family.” She glanced over at Moe. “Has he made it official yet?”
Breely’s cheeks heated. “We’re happy. What more do we need?”
Sadie nodded. “He hasn’t asked.”
“Sadie,” Hank caught her arm, “are you matchmaking again? Leave these people alone. They need to do things in their own time.”
Hank grimaced at Breely. “My wife thinks everyone should be married with at least two babies.”
“Happily married,” Sadie corrected. “I wish everyone could be as happy as I am with you, Hank.”
He smiled down at his wife and bent to brush his lips across hers. “And I’m crazy, stupid in love with you, my dear.”
Breely’s heart swelled at the love unashamedly displayed between Hank and Sadie.
Hank straightened. “Breely, Robert, Fiona, have you met Kujo, Molly and Six?”
Breely shook her head and turned to the tall man with black hair and blue eyes. “Kujo?”
The man held out his hand. “Joseph Kuntz. Kuntz, Joseph. KuJo.” He shook her hand. “They gave the handle in Army Basic Combat Training, and it’s been with me ever since.”
Kujo shook hands with Breely’s parents and Moe. “Welcome aboard, man. He turned to the woman beside him whose belly was the size of a watermelon. “This is my wife, Molly.”
Breely took the woman’s hand, surprised at the strength of her grip. “Stone was telling me you’re an FBI special agent.”
Molly nodded, her hand rubbing across her belly. “I am. Though I will be going on maternity leave soon.”
“Congratulations,” Breely hugged her. She bent to the dog at Molly’s feet. “And who do we have here?”
“This is Six.” Molly’s hand smoothed over the dog’s head. “He’s the retired Military Working Dog Kujo trained when he was on active duty.”
“He’s beautiful.” Breely smiled and looked for Moe.
He was close by, leaning on the porch rail. His gaze shifted to the sky then to her. He stood with his hand in his pocket, but he wasn’t relaxed or at ease. Again, he glanced up at the sky. Why was he looking weird? It was like he was anxious or nervous.
Breely went to him and laid a hand on his chest. “Hey. Are you okay?”
“Sure,” he said, looking up at the sky again.
Breely shook her head. “You’re not okay. What’s wrong?”
He smiled down at her. “Nothing, sweetheart. Nothing at all.” Again, he glanced at the sky and then back to her.
Breely looked up. The sky was a beautiful summertime blue. “Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”
He tugged at the collar of his button-down shirt. “Never felt better.”
“Do you need a ginger ale to settle your stomach?” she asked.
“Huh?” He looked at her quizzically then shook his head. “No.”
“Then could you get me another lemonade?” she asked.
He frowned. “No. I can’t.”
Breely tilted her head. “What the heck is wrong with you?”
He glanced at the sky again, a smile spreading across his face. “Come with me, and I’ll tell you what’s wrong with me.” He took her hand and led her down the porch steps and out onto the lawn. “Look up, Breely.”
“Huh? I thought you were going to tell me what was wrong with you.”
He nudged her chin with a finger and pointed to the sky. “Look up, my love.”
Breely glanced up in time to see a plane fly over dragging a long banner behind it.
She squinted and shaded her eyes against the sun. “Breely… Hey, it has my name on it.” She looked again. “I can’t quite read it. What does it say?”
“Oh, good grief,” Kyla said from the porch. “It says, Breely, Will You Marry Me? Moe, get down on your knee, for God’s sake.” Kyla’s face paled, and she leaned over the porch rail and vomited.
Sadie rushed to the woman, slipped her arm around her and led her to the door. “Don’t stop on our account. We’ll be back.” She disappeared inside with Kyla. Stone started to follow.
Hank gripped his arm. “Let Sadie handle it. Your teammate is in the middle of a proposal.”
“He is?” Breely turned back to Moe.
He wasn’t standing in front of her but was on one knee, looking up at her.
“You are?” Breely squeaked.
“I am,” he said with a smile. “Breely Brantt, I love you so much I can’t breathe without you. Would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife, so I can love you for the rest of my life?”
Tears filled Breely’s eyes. She dropped to her knees in front of him. “Yes! Oh, yes! I would be the happiest woman that ever lived to be your wife.” She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Thunderous applause sounded all around them with cheering and shouts of congratulations.
Moe stood and swung Breely up into his arms. “You all heard it. She said yes. We’re getting married!”
For the next ten minutes, Breely was hugged by every person there.
John and Stone pulled the steaks off the grill and carried them to the tables. As everyone found a seat, Sadie came out of the lodge with Kyla, sporting a huge grin on her face. Kyla’s expression was more one of shell shock.
“Did she say yes?” Sadie asked.
Moe answered, “Yes.”
“Oh, good. Congratulations, you two.” She turned to Kyla and pulled her up to stand beside her. “We have more good news.” She paused. “Where’s Stone?”
Stone hurried over to stand with Kyla. “What’s the good news?”
Sadie turned to Kyla. “You tell him.”
Kyla looked up into Stone’s face. “This is one mission I’m not at all prepared for.” She raised her hand. In it was a wand. “Honey, we’re pregnant.”
Stone’s face blanched white. “What? Are you kidding? How?”
Kyla laughed. “Pregnant. No kidding. And you know how.” She stared up at him. “Are you okay with this?”
Stone cupped her cheeks between his palms. “Okay? I’m more than okay. I love you, Kyla. I can’t wait to start this new adventure with a family.”
More congratulations went around before everyone settled at the tables.
Moe leaned over to Breely. “We never talked about kids. How do you feel about kids?”
“I love them and want half a dozen.”
Moe let go of a breath he’d been holding. “Me, too. I know it’s just happened, but what are you thinking about a date for our wedding and where?”
“How does next weekend in Vegas sound?” she whispered.
“Like heaven,” he said. “I’d like to get started on those dozen children before I’m too old to enjoy them.”
She squeezed his leg under the table. “I love you, Morris Cleveland. And I love that you proposed with a plane. I can’t wait to be your wife and fly off into the sunset with my very own pararescue pilot.”
Moe kissed the tip of her nose. “And I can’t wait to marry my redhaired beauty and start our own happily ever after.”