Epilogue
Avery
The sun hung low on the horizon, casting the most perfect golden glow over the yard of the inn. The air still carried the warmth of the perfect fall day, but a soft breeze whispered through the branches, just cool enough to hint at the season shifting.
We’d been fortunate to have such a warm September, but winter would be upon us before we knew it.
Bright-yellow larch needles drifted down with every breath of wind, covering the ground as well as our guests, like nature’s confetti.
It was perfect. The kind of evening that felt like it had been made just for us.
“Avery?”
I looked away from the window to my mom.
“Are you ready?”
“You look beautiful, Mom.”
She reached for my hands, a tear in her eye. “Not nearly as beautiful as you, my girl. Your grandparents…” She inhaled deeply. “I wish they were here to see this. They would be so proud of you.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, refusing to give in to the emotion that had threatened to bubble over all day.
“They are here, Mom.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped at it quickly and forced a smile. “You’re right. They are.” She squeezed my hands again and held my gaze.
I knew the inn wasn’t what my mother had wanted for me and my life. But once she came to visit and she’d met Reid, his family, and all our friends, it hadn’t taken long for her to see that Trickle Creek was where I belonged.
“It’s time.” Carrie’s head popped into the bedroom. “Are you ready to live out the ending to your Hallmark movie life?”
I laughed. My best friend had been right after all. It turned out my life was a cheesy, sweet movie with a happy ending.
I turned to give myself one more look in the mirror. My dress was a simple, off-the-shoulder fitted ivory sheath. My hair hung in loose waves, pinned back on one side.
“You look amazing, Avery.” Carrie appeared over my shoulder. “Reid won’t be able to keep his hands off you.” She laughed as my mom swatted her. “Come on. Let’s do this.”
She handed me a bouquet of sunflowers that had come from the local flower shop and together, we moved to the back door that led out to the yard.
The music started and Carrie, my maid of honor and best friend, gave me a wink, blew me a kiss, and headed down the steps, to lead our little procession.
Next to me, my mom reached for my hand and squeezed. “I love you, Avery, and I am so incredibly proud of you.”
“Thank you, Mom.” I gave her a quick hug and then she, too, made her way down the aisle, leaving me alone.
I took a moment to take it all in.
It was exactly how I pictured it. How I’d wanted it.
Not a rushed courthouse signature, a technicality wrapped in legal paperwork.
But this. This was ours.
And it was perfect.
I smoothed my hands over my dress and tried to calm my racing heart as the music changed.
Everyone stood and turned as I made my way slowly down the steps and up the short, grassy aisle past our guests.
Friends and family who’d all become part of our story.
But I couldn’t focus on any of them. Because he was there. Standing in front of the two stunning yellow larch trees, waiting for me.
My husband.
Reid
She was stunning. I was the luckiest man in the world because not only did I get to marry Avery, I got to marry her twice.
Her dress swayed in the soft breeze as the yellow larch needles drifted down all around us. “You look gorgeous,” I told her as she reached me.
Her fingers slid into mine, warm and steady. There was nothing to be nervous about, after all. The hard part was over; this was just for us, and I’d never been so sure about anything in my life. Spending my life with Avery was everything I wanted. Even if I didn’t know it a few short months ago.
“You good?” I murmured.
She let out a small breath and smiled. “Never better. You?”
“It’s the best day of my life, sweetheart.”
That made her laugh. A sweet, soft sound.
Brody, who’d offered to lead the ceremony considering we were already legally married, cleared his throat after a moment. “Are you two ready?”
I nodded but still didn’t look away from Avery.
“Friends. Family. We are gathered here today,” Brody began, his voice booming over our heads to address our guests, “to celebrate Avery and Reid and their love for each other. And because they didn’t invite any of us the first time,” he quipped, and the crowd laughed. “But we’re all here now,” he continued after a moment. “And I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we couldn’t be happier for both of them and the love they’ve found together.”
A whoop went up from the crowd. I still didn’t look away from my bride, but I did not doubt that it was my youngest brother. I winked at Avery, who laughed again.
“The happy couple have opted to share the vows they’ve written for each other with us, their closest family and friends to bear witness. Reid? Would you like to go first?”
I inhaled, gathering my strength and nodded. Reluctantly, I released Avery’s hand so I could retrieve the piece of paper, where I’d written down a few things I wanted to share.
“Avery, I never planned on getting married. Not like this,” I began. “Not at all. Not because I didn’t believe in love or happily ever afters, but because I hadn’t met you yet. The moment you stormed into my life, all sunshine and determination, everything changed. And somehow, without even trying, you made me want things I’d never even let myself consider before.” I looked directly into her eyes. “A home. A future. A forever. And now, I want all of that. With you.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. I swallowed hard before continuing because I, too, could feel emotion welling up.
“You see the best in people, even those who don’t deserve it. You find beauty where others only see ruin. And I’ll be forever grateful that when you looked at me, you didn’t just see the stubborn, grumpy guy who didn’t want his life to change—you saw something more. You saw me. ”
Her breath hitched, and a tear slipped down her cheek.
“I can’t promise you I’ll be perfect, Avery. I’m probably always going to be a little too gruff and a little too set in my ways from time to time. But I do promise to love you.” I tucked the paper away—I didn’t need it anymore—and reached for her hands. “I promise to wake up every single day and choose you. Over and over again. Just like I’m choosing you now.”
She smiled through the tears that streamed unchecked down her cheeks now.
“I love you, Avery.”
“I love you, too.”
There was no way I could wait a second more. I reached out, wiped the tears from her cheek, and kissed her gently.
A few cheers went up from our guests, and beside me, Brody chuckled before interrupting us.
“I think Avery has a few words she’d like to say as well.”
Reluctantly, I pulled back to give her space.
Avery took a breath, steadying herself. Once again, her hands were in mine. Her touch grounded me in the moment. “Okay,” she said softly. “My turn.
“Reid, it was only a few months ago that we stood in the courthouse and vowed our commitment to each other. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.”
A chuckle rumbled in my chest, because we’d both been so wrong.
“I knew when we married, that you would be a reliable partner. Logical, practical, and true. And that you knew how to swing a hammer.” She winked. “Sure, you were a grump, but I was pretty sure I could work with that.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
“But what I didn’t realize that first time around was that saying yes to you was saying yes to so much more than a partnership born of necessity. You are the steadiest thing I’ve ever had in my life. You show up. You stay. Even when it’s hard and I try to push you away.” She let out a small, shaky laugh. “Even when I insist I don’t need help, you know better.”
I swallowed back a smile, because yeah, that sounded pretty spot on.
“I love you, Reid.” Her voice was stronger now, more sure. “For the way you love with actions instead of just words. For the way you know what I need before I do. For the way you see me, even when I try to hide. And most importantly, for the way you’re by my side, making me feel safe and watched and like I never have to do it alone ever again.”
My heart swelled with love for this woman.
“And that’s my promise to you, too,” she said, her voice soft but certain. “I promise to share the good times and fill our days with laughter and love. But when the world feels heavy, I vow to stand beside you through it all. Through every hard day, I will be by your side. No matter what happens and what tomorrow brings, I will be by your side. Because I choose you, Reid. Today and every day.”
I let out a slow breath and shook my head. “Sweetheart, you’re killing me here.”
Avery tilted her head up to me, her eyes warm, her lips curled up into a sassy smile. “No, Reid. I’m keeping you. Forever.”
“Hell yeah, you are.”
I kept my eyes locked on hers as I closed the distance between us, cupped her cheeks, and with everything I had in me, kissed my beautiful wife.
Everyone in Trickle Creek is happy about the new brewery Ethan Lyons is opening. Everyone but Delaney, the bookshop owner. Tempers flare and sparks fly when these two clash in More Than Words, next!
Have you caught up with all the Trickle Creek books? Join your favorite characters and start at the beginning with Never Let Me Go .