Epilogue
Three years later…
It isn’t Kate Everett against the world anymore. It is Boone and Kate Montgomery, creating their own world together.
Two years ago, Kevin walked me down the aisle in the church where Boone’s parents were married.
It was simple, perfect, and all our guests received handmade mugs with a chicken kissing an armadillo stamped on them.
My mother came. She gave us a crystal gravy boat.
It holds coffee creamer in our refrigerator.
Our refrigerator that isn’t in the cabin in the woods or in an apartment in New York.
Our refrigerator and porch swing reside in Oklahoma on our five-acre homestead, two miles down the road from Kevin, Maisy Jo, and the kids. Goose lives here, too. She still hates me, but jokes on her, because I married her rooster.
It wasn’t hard giving up my job in the city.
I thought it would be, but it turns out being married to a person is a lot more fun than being married to a career.
I do a lot of freelance marketing now for small businesses, including Boone’s coffee mugs, which now has a larger shed, a larger kiln, and a larger customer base.
We still own the cabin. Boone said we could sell it, but I didn’t want him to lose that piece of his past. There’s a difference between holding onto something that holds you back and holding onto something that means something to you. We visit at least twice a year and hope we get snowed in.
A steaming latte appears from behind me as I’m looking out the window at the winter wonderland our little homestead became overnight. It’s in my favorite mug. The soft blue one that reflects mountain skies and Boone’s eyes.
“Thank you,” I murmur as I take a sip. Gingerbread. My favorite.
“How are my lovely ladies this morning?” Boone croons as he bends down and kisses my ever-growing belly. I find a new stretch mark every day.
“We don’t know that it’s a girl,” I remind him. We’d had the sonogram months ago, and I’d refused to allow the young woman to tell us.
“I know,” Boone says as he stands back up and places a soft kiss on my forehead. “But I wouldn’t mind a mini Katydilla.”
“She’d be a force.” I laugh.
“That’s what I’m counting on.” Boone smiles as he wraps his arms around me from behind, joining me in watching the world outside our window.
Not every moment is as perfect as this one right now, but Boone has helped me enjoy moments as they come instead of worrying about running out of them. So, we take each moment at a time, savoring them and making sure we don’t miss something that one day we’ll realize was everything.
Then I feel something new, something sharp and yet exciting.
“Boone,” I gasp.
“What?” He steps around to face me, his eyes wide.
My lips slowly curve into a soft, knowing grin. “It’s time.”
His hands find my belly, gently caressing it. “It’s time?!”
I nod my head. “Time to make a memory.”