16. Epilogue
My dear husband,
I”ve got a surprise for you, but you”ll have to put your detective skills to the test. Get ready for a treasure hunt with a twist, courtesy of yours truly. Buckle up and let the adventure begin!
Head to the place where we first met, where our love story started. Look for a special envelope hidden nearby. It holds the next clue to uncovering the treasure we”re about to share.
Love, your wife
WTF? Kane grinned as he shook his head. Sarah never failed to surprise him. They had been writing letters back and forth since the wedding three months ago, and Kane loved that it added something special to their relationship. But this was new. Sarah had never done a treasure hunt before, but this seemed easy to decipher.
The place where we first met. That’s easy. It’s where the fundraiser was.
Kane raised a hand in greeting to Luke before jumping into his car and driving the fifteen minutes into the city. He wasn’t sure if the hall would be vacant, but was prepared to crash any party that was going to get to his clue.
He gave his keys to the valet, hurried into the building and waited for the elevator to take him to the top floor. As the elevator doors opened, Kane was relieved to find the floor empty, except for Jackson, who was grinning like an idiot.
“Don’t tell me she roped you into this as well?” Kane grumbled as he pushed past Jackson.
“Brother, we’re all helping Sarah with this one.” Jackson laughed as Kane rushed to where he first saw Sarah. He knew exactly where it was. He would never forget it was where he saw her distressed and punched that man out who had his hands on her without her consent. But it was also the spot that had bought Kane and Sarah together.
Hanging on a rope of lavender, suspended from the ceiling, was a letter addressed to him.
Hello my love,
I wanted a better memory for the place we first met, so I’m hoping this game will help with that. Now, let”s see if you remember where our hearts started to flutter. Go to the place where we sealed our fate, and there, beneath the ”reserved” sign, awaits your next piece of the puzzle. Show me what you”ve got, lover.
Tick-tock, your wife.
Kane read the letter twice, before dashing off, hearing Jackson’s laugh in his head as he ran down the stairs, not waiting for the lift.
Sealed our fate? Maybe made the contract? The shelter’s office?
Kane didn’t know what was going on, but he knew better than to question his wife, so he waited impatiently for the valet to bring the car around again and drove to the shelter, not surprised when he saw Alex waiting outside the door ready for him.
“Did you just want to tell me where to go next and save some time?” Kane joked to Alex, who grinned and shook his head.
“Nearly there brother. It will be worth it in the end.” Alex said as he opened the door to a smiling Olivia who ushered him into the office where the fake relationship was first discussed. There, under a reserved sign, was another letter.
My love,
Looks like you”ve made it this far. Color me impressed. Now, time to retrace our steps. Head to the spot where we were interrupted by the ginger ninja. Look for a tiny envelope attached to its collar. It holds your next clue, oh great detective of mine.
Don”t disappoint me now,
Your wife.
Kane looked at Olivia. “She can’t be serious with this one? Fred? The demon cat?”
Olivia tried to keep a straight face as she nodded. Kane swore as he stomped out of the room, Alex wishing him luck with the spawn of Satan, saying he was sure he would have mellowed towards him by now.
Kane drove back to the ranch and parked outside of Luke’s house, where Eve was still staying. Kane could see Fred sitting on a chair on the porch, a small white envelope tied to his collar.
Maybe I could get Eve to hold Fred for me?
Kane walked up the stairs and stopped. Eve opened the door and held her phone up to him, ready to film him.
“Seriously? No help? You’re just going to film it?” Kane asked.
Eve nodded. “I’ve got strict orders from Sarah not to help you, but to make sure I preserve the moment on video.” Eve chuckled. “Moments like these don’t come along often,” she said as he saw his brothers start to crowd around the house, spooking Fred even more.
Kane took a step towards Fred, who was now sitting on his haunches, his back arched and teeth bared.
“Here kitty, kitty. Nice kitty.” Kane crooned to the spitting devil. “Just let me grab the letter and then you can go back to planning the end of civilization,” Kane said as he advanced slowly.
Kane heard the low growl rumble from Fred before the cat swiped a paw at the air in front of him in warning.
“Here, maybe this will help,” Eve said as she held out some liver treats to Kane. “You have to be quick though. He does have a vendetta against all men.”
“But he is a male,” Kane protested as he took the treats, watching Fred’s eyes track his hand as he held them out to him.
Kane sat down and put the treats in front of him, hoping Fred’s love for food would outweigh his hatred of men. After a few minutes of waiting, Fred hopped down and stalked over to Kane, sniffing the air before lunging at the food. Just enough time for Kane to grab the envelope from Fred’s collar and scamper back out of his way.
Kane could hear cheers and chuckles from his brothers as he hurriedly opened the next envelope.
My Husband,
You”ve proven yourself quite the investigator. But can you crack this final code? Think back to the place where we shared our first kiss. Look inside the book on the Kitchen table. It has a secret inside. It”ll lead you to where your grand finale awaits.
Forever,
Your wife.
First kiss. This was way too easy. It was home.
Kane looked towards his house. The front door was open. Kane walked the short distance over and entered the room. He called out to Sarah, but then remembered the book on the table. “What to expect when you’re expecting.”
“What the hell?” Kane muttered as he picked up a book and a plastic stick dropped out. He picked it up, turning it over. A pregnancy test.
“That’s our baby,” Kane heard Sarah say as the warmth of her hand joined his.
“You’re?” Kane asked, as he turned and cupped Sarah’s face in his hands.
“I am,” Sarah grinned. “It must have been the wedding night. You were in such a rush that we forgot to use protection.”
Kane shook his head. “I wanted this for so long. You, our baby, a family.”
“You’ve always had a family. Now you just added to it with us,” Sarah said, gesturing outside to where his brothers waited. “I’m so lucky to have such a huge family, and” as she stroked her belly, “now we are adding to it.”
Kane crushed Sarah to him, his mouth hungry on hers. “I love you, my wife.”
Their moment was interrupted by the others spilling into the room from outside, clapping Kane on the back and gently hugging Sarah.
“You know it’s a bloody miracle it happened, with all the interruptions around here,” Jackson laughed as Kane glowered at him.
“So, what does this mean for the ranch? I suppose you will move close to town now,” Luke asked quietly, silencing any other noise as the others waited for an answer.
Sarah looked at Kane before answering, “Well, it means that I am going to annoy all of you to build me a new house. Lots of bedrooms that we will fill with noisy babies.” Sarah said before she went to Luke and placed a hand on his arm. “But still on the ranch. There is plenty of room and I’m assuming this house can then go to Eve?” she said as she looked at the others. “If no one has any objections?”
“None from me,” Kane grinned. “Let’s hope it’s the start of lots of other babies for the ranch,” he said as he looked at two of his brothers pointedly. “And heck, if we run out of room, we will just buy more, won’t we brothers?”
Sarah laughed as the brothers all raised their arms together in their solidarity.
Kane gathered Sarah up and pushed her into the pantry.
“This feels very familiar,” Sarah said to Kane as he pressed her against the cupboards.
“I have to grab the moments when I can,” Kane grinned.
“Did you enjoy the treasure hunt?” Sarah asked, as Kane nibbled on her neck.
“The prize was well worth it,” Kane murmured as he ran a hand under her dress, stopping when he realized she wasn’t wearing any underwear again.
“I thought we might celebrate you finding the prize.” Sarah breathed out as she pushed into Kane.
“Do not move,” Kane said as he left the pantry.
The next minute, Sarah could hear Kane bellow “everyone out of my house right now,” and the good-natured ribbing he received from his brothers.
A few minutes later, he opened the door. “I finally have you to myself. Now let me show you how much I loved the hunt.”
“My husband,” Sarah sighed as Kane picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.
“Forever,” Kane said before showing Sarah just how much she meant to him.