Epilogue
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
WYNTER
“Ican’t wait for you to meet River when you get here,” Rose’s voice came through the phone. “Dad said we could only hire one person, and we needed someone who could double as a mechanic. We hit it off right away.”
“Mechanic? Wow, I bet that wasn’t cheap.” Wynter laughed.
“Well, when most of our income comes from the food we grow and how we harvest it, what do you expect? Dad says he can handle everything else that my sisters can’t do.”
“And your sisters? They like River?”
“Oh, everyone does. I’m telling you, this is the best hire ever.”
Wynter laughed again and glanced to her side to find Marcus sneaking curious looks her way. “Well, we’re almost there.”
“I hope you brought Nora along.”
“It wouldn’t be a barbecue without her.” Wynter tossed a smile over her shoulder to find Grams smiling warmly at her.
So much had changed in the last eight months.
Work was going well. The changes Marcus had been making to her house only added to the appeal.
One day it would belong to both of them.
He already planned on expanding the house to accommodate children because he insisted on having a lot of them.
Wynter was confident he’d be a fabulous father.
“Anyone else coming?” She turned her attention to Rose on the phone again.
“I invited everyone. Well, except Morgan. Her brother is getting on my last nerve. I think he’s finally figured out we’re friends, and he’s giving her a hard time about it.”
“That’s disappointing,” Wynter said. “You’d think being an adult he’d act better.”
“Oh, everyone knows he’s just a big man-child. Who in their right mind holds a grudge that their grandparents started? I mean, seriously.”
If Wynter wasn’t careful, Rose would continue her tirade. It was best to get her off topic. “So, what about your cousins? Are Penny and Mathew going to be there? I know Isabelle said she’d be showing up with Jason a little late.”
“Late? Bummer. Does Marcus have any idea what you’re planning?”
Wynter scrunched up her nose and laughed. “No. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t. How are things on your end?”
“Oh… perfectly fine.”
“Rose—”
“Oh, gotta go.”
“But you didn’t answer my question,” Wynter shot back.
“Yes, to Penny, no to Mathew. He’s working today. See you soon.” Rose hung up before Wynter could ask anything else.
“Everything okay?” Marcus asked with a laugh.
“Fine. Apparently, they have a new mechanic named River. And everyone loves him. Rose is upset that your sister isn’t going to be on time.”
He grinned at her and reached for her hand to kiss her knuckles. “Well, Rose has always been big on family.”
They arrived at the Taylors’ farm, and it was decorated far more than a usual old barbecue would be. There were balloons, music, lights, and tables. Flower centerpieces made it look more like a special event than a barbecue—exactly the opposite of what Wynter had given the green light for.
She jumped out of Marcus’s truck before he had the chance to get her door, and she stormed right over to Rose, who was speaking to a pretty woman with dark hair, fair skin, and freckles. Grasping Rose by the upper arm, Wynter dragged her to where they could talk without being overheard.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Wynter demanded. “I said something small with family. I don’t want to make a big show of it. Been there, done that.”
Rose’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Sorry, girl, but when you plan to propose to your boyfriend, you need some fanfare. I know you don’t like the spotlight, but after the way you turned him down…
” She tilted her head. “Don’t you think you ought to set the record straight in front of everyone who was there to see the first trainwreck? ”
Wynter groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “His family. My friends. That was all. This looks like you invited everyone.”
“Well, technically we’re a few people short of everyone.”
“Rose!”
Her friend laughed. “I have to get going. The caterers are going to arrive any second.”
“Caterers!” Wynter squawked, but Rose was already gone.
“Everything okay?” A pair of strong arms wrapped around her middle, and Wynter tried to calm down. “As okay as it’s going to be.”
Marcus nuzzled the side of her neck, then stilled. “Your heart is beating so fast. Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe we need to track Mathew down.”
“He’s working. I’m fine.” Wynter blew out a heavy breath and turned in his arms. “This isn’t going the way I wanted it to.”
“What isn’t going the way you wanted it to?”
“Nothing. Never mind.” Wynter pulled away from him.
Geez! She’d nearly messed up the surprise.
She’d planned this whole thing. It was the least she could do when Marcus had done so much for her.
She wanted to make sure he didn’t doubt that her heart was in this for the long haul.
Wynter had done her best to see a therapist and work through her intrusive thoughts when it came to losing the people around her, and she wanted Marcus to be confident that she was ready for the next step.
This was the biggest decision of her life.
She would get married to Marcus Palmer.
And she would be asking him today.
More guests arrived, and someone played an upbeat playlist from some Bluetooth speakers. Food was served, and for all intents and purposes, the barbecue was going perfectly.
Rose had neglected to introduce Wynter to her new mechanic friend, but with how on edge Wynter was at the moment, she was grateful she didn’t have to put on a brave face. What she really needed was to stay focused. She couldn’t lose her nerve.
Not now.
Not ever.
A hush fell over the crowd of people present when Rose got to her feet and rang a dinner bell. “Can I have everyone’s attention, please?”
No!
Oh my gosh, this was it!
Wynter jumped to her feet from where she’d been visiting with Grams. The blood drained from her face. She hadn’t told Rose when to get everyone’s attention.
In an ungraceful flurry of movement, Wynter charged through the tables toward Marcus while Rose was thanking everyone for coming.
Marcus’s smile faltered as she approached, and confusion filled his eyes. He stood up from where he was sitting and kept his eyes locked on hers. Finally, she stood in front of him. Quiet took over the place as Rose directed everyone to hear what Wynter had to say.
It was now or never. She couldn’t let one more second pass without telling Marcus exactly how she felt.
Wynter started to lower to one knee, but Marcus caught her hands and tugged her gently back up with a crooked smile. “Oh no you don’t.”
A ripple of laughter moved through the crowd. Marcus squeezed her fingers. “If anyone’s asking a question today, it’s me.”
Heart pounding, Wynter swallowed and still spoke the words she’d carried for months.
“Okay, but I’m still going to say what I’ve been wanting to say to you.
Marcus, you are my light. My rock in the storm.
You ground me when I’m scared and ready to bolt.
We couldn’t be more different, and that’s what makes us perfect.
I need you to know I’m in this for the long haul.
” She turned her palm and revealed the simple silver band she’d brought.
“I wanted to give you this—so you’d never doubt where my heart stands. ”
Emotion flashed across his face. Marcus dropped to one knee, framed by flowers and twinkle lights, and looked up at her like she was the only person in the world.
He pulled out the ring he’d once offered months ago, the one he’d carried in his wallet ever since that day, and held it between them.
“Wynter Delaney, I love you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she breathed, laughing and crying all at once. “Yes!”
He slid the ring onto her finger. She slipped the silver band onto his in return, and the moment he rose, he kissed her—hard and passionately.
Whoops and hollers erupted around them, followed by cheers and shouts of congratulations to the newly engaged couple.
When he broke the kiss and pulled her to her feet, their friends and family came up to congratulate them. They spent the next half hour receiving hugs and handshakes from everybody.
After they were finally alone, Rose cleared her throat next to them. “Now that you two are done being the center of attention, I want to introduce you to River.”
Wynter looked at the woman standing next to Rose and frowned. It was the pretty, dark-haired lady who’d been visiting with Rose when Wynter had arrived.
The woman held out her hand. “Hey. I’m River.”
“Wynter.”
River smiled. “Yeah, I gathered that.” Then she turned to Marcus. “Heard all about you, too. Some kind of romantic, huh?”
“Something like that.” Marcus chuckled. “Wynter said you’re a mechanic?”
River nodded. “When you’re raised by a man whose only wish was to have a son, you sorta don’t get a choice in the activities you’re offered as a kid.”
“Oh, I wasn’t asking because I was surprised.
I was actually wondering if you could come by and check out a mower I’ve been trying to start.
” Marcus avoided looking directly at Wynter.
Probably because she’d insisted he get rid of it, but he wanted to fix it up.
It had belonged to her grandfather, and there was nothing Marcus liked more than keeping his memory alive. She thought that was sweet of him.
River and Marcus got into a conversation about the mower, and Rose grabbed Wynter to pull her aside.
“See? She’s amazing, right?”
Wynter glanced over at River. “She’s… interesting. But I thought…”
“That she was a guy? Yeah, when we got her application, we thought so, too. But then she showed up and proved her stuff. She needed a place to stay. That was the draw for the job. And she fits right in. Couldn’t be more perfect. Especially since Dad didn’t want any guys on the property.”
“Wait, what about Emerson?”
“Emerson is like a son. He’s been around forever.
” Rose didn’t expand beyond that and Wynter had a sense that there was more to that story, but Rose wasn’t willing to share.
“Anyway, River is perfect for the job. We’re happy.
But most importantly, Dad’s happy because he doesn’t have to worry about a guy who might develop an interest in one of his girls. ”
They both laughed as they turned their attention back to River and Marcus.
Rose whispered to Wynter. “I’m going to set her up with Mathew.” The confession came out of nowhere. Wynter was completely thrown off guard.
“Mathew? As in your cousin, Mathew?”
Rose tilted her head. “Yeah. I think they’d be cute together, don’t you?”
Well, they were both good-looking. But Wynter had heard all about how Mathew didn’t expect to find love again. “What makes you think they’d work? Mathew is married to his job. And he likes everything just… so.”
“Oh, whatever. He could stand to get a little grease under his fingernails.” They shared an amused look.
“Well, all I can say is good luck. You’re going to need it.”
Wynter squeezed Marcus’s hand as he walked over to her and, without speaking, whispered a thank you heavenward.
It was a good feeling. Peace settled where panic used to live. Home, she realized, wasn’t a place she fled—it was the place she belonged… with Marcus by her side.
Thank you so incredibly much for reading my books.