Epilogue Two
EPILOGUE TWO
JAMES
* Six and a half years later *
S taring out the back window, I sip my coffee contentedly while watching Holly digging in one of her many wildflower beds. Her hair has grown much longer, and she has it piled up in a messy bun. As if feeling my gaze on her, she glances at the window and blows me a kiss from her perfect lips.
How can I keep from staring at the most beautiful woman in the world? She’s the reason I jump out of bed filled with perfect joy every single morning. My dream girl. My breathtaking wife.
Holly is so happy out here on the mountain. Sure, she likes to complain during those two weeks of winter where the weather is positively vile. But almost everybody does. And it’s a perfect time to curl up in front of the fire with cocoa and a great book.
My life is now divided into two distinct sections – before Holly, and after.
Before Holly burst into my life, I was self-sufficient. Did everything my way. Lived pretty quietly. Although I spent a lot of time alone, I was anything but a loner, since my job is so social. But those were slightly superficial connections and friendships.
Now that Holly and I are married and the world sees us as a couple, we’re invited to more dinner parties and barbecues than ever, and I feel like the conversations I have there are deeper. We’ve babysat our friends’ children. Invited people over to stay when their power was knocked out in the winter. We’re embedded more deeply in the community. And I’m sure a huge part of it is that everyone loves Holly. She’s so eager to help, and laugh, and share the joy of our lives.
Her favorite assistant gardener toddles out from behind a shrub, then falls onto his diapered bum. Marshall is just getting the hang of the whole walking idea but isn’t quite sure of it yet. One thing he is sure of, however, is that picking wildflowers and stuffing them in his mouth is the funniest thing in the world. Fortunately Holly stops him in the nick of time.
Yes, I should mention that she named him Marshall because she thinks of me as the Sheriff here. It’s a whole thing that cracks her up.
Watching my wife and our son gathering flowers for her thriving candle business is one of the thousands of small perfect highlights of my day. I’m the luckiest man alive, and I’m grateful for every single moment.
After another sip of coffee, I set the mug down and force myself to step away from the window. It’s my turn to make dinner and I want to create something amazing for the two loves of my life.
Until next year, when we’re planning to create one more.
Want more? For a spicy bonus scene (not part of the story, just a little something extra) please join the email list at haleytravisromance.com ! (And yes, the recipe for Mrs. MacKenzie's potato salad is in the welcome email of my newsletter!)
Check out all of the books in the
Frosted Kisses Winter Series!
Love Holly Valley? Visit the town again in the steamy yet adorable series 3 Kings for Christmas and the standalone book Fake Christmas Girlfriend .
You’ll see James again here and there, probably sneaking fries and cookies, in the Wolfe Mountain Men series.
Intrigued by the Wolfes? You’ll meet Kaden, Kane, and Kellan Wolfe in The Billionaires of Wolfe Mountain , coming in Fall 2025.
*Maya*
"Hang on, let me help you."
The deep voice makes me jump, and I spin to stare into warm brown eyes that…oh my…
My breath and heart begin to sputter. He's… gorgeous .
"Damn, I'm sorry." He takes my elbow and sits me in the chair. "I think I scared you half to death."
I feel even smaller next to him now that I'm sitting. The man is huge. Not like a bodybuilder; like a man who spends a lot of time swinging an axe. His dark green flannel shirt is just snug enough to show off his wide chest, and the sleeves are rolled up, showing off thick, tanned forearms and a bit of a dark, swirling tattoo.
Focus. You're here to serve him, and make his stay special.
"You're up early." I manage a soft laugh. "I heard you gentlemen got in quite late."
He chuckles, easily moving the other two chairs into place. I laugh as he lifts the last one with me still in it, setting it in position. "Nothing keeps me from good coffee."
I stand slowly, noticing the top of my head is barely at his shoulder. Looking up at his sculpted jawline and ruggedly handsome features, I can already tell it's going to be challenging to keep my focus.
"I'm Maya. I'll be your server this week."
His hand darts out to shake mine rather formally. "Nice to meet you, Maya. I'm Dylan. I'll be your guest who will be asking for too much coffee at an early hour."
"I'll bear that in mind. Would you like an espresso, or is regular drip fine to get started?"
"This is great, thanks."
Before I can reach for the coffee to pour, he serves himself. Then he notices my look of confusion. "Sorry. We're do-it-yourselfer types. Not used to being waited on. Hope that isn't annoying to you."
How could I be annoyed with a man like this looking so deeply into my eyes?
"I'm here to make you comfortable. Just let me know anything I can do." A bell rings faintly from the kitchen. "I'm guessing that fresh fruit and muffins with the coffee will be a good start before the full breakfast?"
Dylan sinks into a chair, his inviting lips pulled into a saucy grin. "I will eat everything you tell me to, Maya."
With a quick nod, I dash to the kitchen, replaying what he just said. Oh my… Was he flirting ? Did he mean for that to sound so racy?
My cheeks flame as I gather the trays. Luckily I hear the other two men coming into the dining room.
I'm going to have to be very careful that Dylan and I are never alone again.
I don't think my heart can take it.
Don’t worry, Maya’s heart will be just fine in Winter Heat at Wolfe Mountain Chalet.