Epilogue
RIVER
River spun the ring around her finger with her thumb. She wasn’t exactly nervous. Not really.
Too full? Too happy? Like if she didn’t keep herself grounded, she might float right off the ranch?
She wanted to tell everyone.
She wanted to hold up her hand and let the diamond catch the light so the whole wedding could see that Mathew had chosen her.
And she’d chosen him right back.
But now wasn’t the time.
Jason and Isabelle had only just said their vows. People were still cheering, music drifting through the warm air as guests mingled across the ranch.
River leaned into Mathew’s side and whispered, “I like the whole big outdoor wedding thing, but maybe we should just elope.”
He lifted her left hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “If that’s what you want, I’m in.”
Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. “Really?”
Mathew’s expression softened into something so open and certain it nearly stole her breath. “Anything you want, River. You’ve made me happier than I knew a man could be. I want to do the same for you.”
Heat rushed into her cheeks. It was strange, the way life had changed since she’d first met the serious doctor who didn’t know how to loosen up.
And yet she wouldn’t have changed a single thing.
He kissed her temple. “I need to go talk to someone. You okay for a minute?”
River nodded and gave his hand a squeeze before letting him step away.
Not even two minutes later, Penny sidled up beside her.
“You’re practically glowing,” she said. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
River stiffened and glanced at her future sister-in-law. “What? No.”
Penny gave her a look. “Oh, come on. The two of you have been staring at each other like the rest of us don’t exist.” Her eyes dropped to River’s hand. “And four months ago, my mother gave Mathew her ring.”
River gasped and looked down instinctively.
“I knew it!” Penny practically squealed, grasping at River’s hand.
“Shh!” River hissed, catching Penny’s hand right back. “Today is not about me. It’s Jason and Isabelle’s day.”
Penny smiled, warm and knowing. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe.” Her gaze softened. “I’m just glad he finally got out of his own way. He’s really happy.”
“Yeah,” River said, her eyes drifting over the crowd. “Me too.”
Penny pulled her into a hug. “Congratulations,” she whispered before pulling back.
That was when River saw it. There was something in Penny’s eyes that seemed almost sad. “Is something wrong?”
Penny shook her head too quickly. “No. Of course not. I’m fine.” She let out a small, shaky laugh. “It’s just… today’s been a lot.”
River took a small step closer. “A lot how?”
Something like worry flashed through Penny’s eyes, but it vanished almost as soon as it appeared. “It’s nothing. Really.”
Her attention shifted over River’s shoulder, and River turned to see what had caught it.
A man she hadn’t seen before stood near the edge of the crowd.
Tall. Dark hair. Suit fitted to his body like it had been made for him. Handsome enough to make a woman look twice—and apparently Penny had looked more than once.
“Penny…”
Penny squeezed River’s hand. “We should get coffee soon. And I want all the details.” Her smile looked distracted now, stretched too thin.
Before River could stop her, Penny was already walking toward him.
His eyes locked on her, and then he gave the smallest shake of his head.
Penny’s steps faltered and she turned a different direction.
River watched as the man watched Penny go. He didn’t move at first. He just stood there, jaw tight, like he hated letting her walk away.
A warm hand settled at River’s waist, and she leaned back into Mathew. Then he went still.
“What is he doing here?” Mathew muttered, more to himself than to her.
“Who?” River asked, turning her eyes up to her fiancé.
Mathew tipped his chin toward the man. “Royce Meyers. I can tell you right now, he wasn’t invited.”
River looked back at the stranger. “Maybe he’s someone’s plus-one?”
Mathew shook his head, his arm tightening around her. “Maybe. But a Meyers would know better than to show up at a wedding where my family is concerned.”
She snorted softly, then saw the look on his face. “You’re serious?”
Rose had never mentioned this.
Mathew let out a breath. “So, there was this feud that started between my uncle’s family and the Meyers family. It’s decades old, and I’m not sure of all the details. But I do know one thing. My uncle hates that family with a passion, and they hate my cousins.”
River looked from him to Royce again. “But this is Isabelle’s family’s ranch, isn’t it?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“And what if he’s a friend of one of Isabelle’s siblings?”
Even as she said it, she didn’t believe it. Not with the way Penny had looked at him. Not with the way he was still staring after her.
Mathew made a low sound in his throat just as Royce finally moved—striding after Penny like something in him had snapped.
“Good,” Mathew muttered. “He’s leaving.”
“I’m not so sure you’re right about that,” River said.
Mathew frowned. “Why?”
She chewed on her lower lip and turned to face Mathew fully. “Because I’m pretty sure something just passed between him and your sister.”
Color drained from Mathew’s face. Then it rushed back all at once. He looked in the direction Penny and Royce had gone, and for a second River thought he might take off after them.
Instead, he shut his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and let out a long breath. “I just hope she knows what she’s doing.”
River’s eyes widened. “You’re not… mad at her? What if they’re dating?”
“At Penny? No.” He shook his head. “I’m not thrilled. But it’s not my feud. Honestly, it probably shouldn’t even be my uncle’s at this point. It’s just one of those town things everybody got used to treating like normal.” He glanced toward the parking area. “I just don’t want to see her get hurt.”
River’s expression softened. “So we’re not saying anything?”
He looked down at her. “Not unless we have to.”
A smile tugged at her mouth, and she reached up to smooth the hair near his temple. “You’re a really good big brother.”
He grinned. “But I’m a better fiancé, right?”
She pressed her lips together and pretended to think. “Debatable.”
Mathew scoffed. “I beg your pardon?”
River laughed. “Fine. The best fiancé.”
“That’s better.”
He kissed her then—slow at first, like he was savoring the fact that she was really his, and then a little deeper as she leaned into him. It was warm and certain, the kind of kiss that made her melt into him and forget for a moment that anyone else existed.
When he pulled back, his eyes were bright with mischief and her heart was thudding hard in her chest.
“So,” he murmured, “about that plan of yours to elope…”
Hello Reader! I hope you enjoyed Mathew and River’s love story. Up next is… you guessed it, Penny and Royce.