Epilogue
MJ stood just beyond the Starling Room doors, smoothing her dress and breathing in the scent of pine, champagne, and the bonfire crackling outside. Inside, the band eased into a slow, drifting melody, and laughter rose and fell like a tide against Snowberry Lodge’s sturdy bones.
Nicole and Cameron had danced their last dance only moments ago, glowing with that just-married light that made everyone around them a little warmer. Elise’s toast—equal parts tearjerker and laugh out loud comedy—had guaranteed that every guest ruined their mascara and got a new laugh line.
Beaming with pride, Cindy and Jack looked ten years younger, leaning into one another as if remarriage had turned back time.
MJ pressed her hand to her chest, feeling overwhelmed by a fresh dose of optimism, her drug of choice. So much love in one room. So much joy and family and hope.
There’d been a time when all of those things had seemed far away.
When Cindy and Jack divorced. When their mother died, and then the darkest of time when she lost George.
Just a year ago, when they flirted with a scam that almost wiped them out, then scraped by in December only to have the roof cave in—literally.
It was all so tenuous and terrifying until a certain Graham Matthew Walker appeared in her life and—
“Well,” a familiar voice murmured behind her, rich and warm as mulled cider. “That was about the prettiest wedding I’ve ever seen.”
She smiled and turned to look into Matt’s eyes, sighing at the sight of him all relaxed, with his tie loosened, his cheeks touched pink from dancing and a little champagne.
Her heart did that flutter thing that was so frequent she was used to it now, just looking at him.
“It was perfect,” she said, slipping into his arms. “And I’m so glad you were here.”
His smile deepened. “I kind of feel like I belong. How’d you manage that?”
She gave a small, breathy laugh. “I didn’t do anything but…love you.”
“Same, Mary Jane,” he whispered, brushing a kiss to her temple. “Same.”
Together, they swayed to the faint music drifting from inside, his arms circling her from behind, their bodies moving as though the night had slowed to honor this one moment.
From where they stood, she could see Gracie and Marshall slow-dancing near the Christmas tree, wrapped in their own world.
Beyond them, Benny and Olivia darted in and out of clusters of guests—first whispering to Nicole, then tugging at Jack, then darting back toward the door like undercover elves on a mission.
“What are those two up to?” MJ murmured.
“Probably nothing you want to know about,” Matt said lightly.
“Oh, heavens. Where’s Red?”
“Avoiding Bertie, who is trying to convince the DJ to put on a line dance that she could lead with Red.”
MJ snorted. “She’s leaving tomorrow and my father will be free.”
“I think he’ll miss the attention.” He gave her a squeeze. “Grab the pretty fur wrap and take a walk with me?”
“Now?”
“Yes, now. It’s almost midnight and we should be able to see the Park City fireworks from the gazebo.”
“Oh. That sounds nice.”
They slipped out, passing the coat rack to grab the black faux fur she’d worn earlier for a few outside pictures. Stepping into the moonlight, their breath turned to clouds as they followed the dozens of soft lanterns that lit the grounds for the wedding night festivities.
“Are you warm enough?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder as if he expected someone to be behind them.
“Perfect.” Honestly, she was glowing too much inside to feel the cold.
He guided her down the snowy path toward the gazebo—the one they’d built for summer weddings but ended up using all year round.
Tonight, the white wood structure looked like a festive wedding cake—topped with snow, trimmed with garlands, alive with lights draped from the circular roof. The tall pine next to it was laden with more lights, making the whole gazebo as bright as a stage.
A table to the side held what looked like two fresh champagne flutes, full to the brim, but when she paused to consider what to do with them, Matt gave her a tug.
“No busing the tables tonight, MJ.”
She agreed with a laugh, letting him lead her up the few steps into the gazebo.
“We wouldn’t have this if not for you,” she mused, gesturing to the precious structure nestled under the mountains.
He waved it off and turned her so her back faced the lodge. “I think this is where we’ll see the best fireworks,” he said, glancing over his shoulder again, then looking down at her. “Yep. Best view in Utah, after all.”
She laughed, flattered as always, but he was acting a teeny bit…tense? That wasn’t like Matt, but he did seem a little odd.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, searching his face.
“It will be,” he said cryptically.
“What does that—”
He hushed her by taking both her hands, his thumbs brushing along her knuckles. The lantern light caught in his eyes, softening them, deepening them.
“Mary Jane,” he said quietly, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
The serious tone made her heart lurch. “Okay…tell me.”
He hesitated, gaze darting over her shoulder as though checking something. “I, uh, don’t really know how to say this.”
Her heart plummeted. “Just tell me, Matt. Anything. Don’t drag it out.”
“I have to…” He looked over her shoulder again, then twice, and instinctively she started to turn but he gripped her shoulders and refused to let her move. “I don’t want to look at houses anymore,” he said so quickly she wasn’t sure she heard him.
Her breath snagged. “You don’t?”
“No.” He squeezed her shoulders, holding her with his gaze and a light grip. She thought she heard something behind her—a whisper, maybe a footstep—but she couldn’t turn. Not now. She was fully focused on Matt, and it was probably a caterer who’d come to get the discarded champagne.
“I’ve figured out where I want to live,” he said.
“Where?” Her voice was small, a little afraid but only because he sounded so uncertain. “Am I going to hate this? Am I going to be sad because wherever you’re going, I can’t because…I live here?” She let out a sad moan. “I’m sorry, Matt, but I can’t leave Snowberry Lodge. I just can’t—”
He looked behind her again, his eyes flickering as if he were not listening to her at all, but was more concerned with the lodge.
“Okay, okay,” he said. “We’re good now.”
“Excuse me?” She realized the hands that held her were trembling slightly. “Matt? What is going on with you?”
“Before I tell you where I’m going to live, I need to…well, I need to ask you something first.”
She closed her eyes, knowing what was coming. He wanted her to move or travel or…it didn’t matter. She wasn’t going to do that, but she did love him, so surely they could work something out.
“Go ahead, Matt. Ask me…anything.”
His lips curled up. “Anything?”
“Anything at all. I give you my word, I will answer you honestly.”
He took a very deep breath and one more glance behind her, a twinkle in his eyes. “Okay, then.” A nervous laugh escaped him as he slid his hands over the fur wrap, down her arms, taking her bare, cold hands in his.
“MJ, you are the most hopeful person I’ve ever met.”
She didn’t respond, but looked at him, completely uncertain where he was going.
“I’ve never seen anyone face life the way you do,” he continued.
“Always believing in something good in the next breath. You’ve made my whole world lighter.
Brighter. Honestly…” His voice thickened.
“I know people think of me as a lottery winner, but you’re the grand prize, MJ.
I really won life’s lottery when I met you. ”
Her throat tightened. The air grew impossibly still. And suddenly, MJ was aware of…sounds behind her. Soft breathing, footsteps, some whispers, and the stretched silence of a whole bunch of people holding one collective breath.
What was—
He let go of one hand, reaching into his pocket as he very slowly lowered to one knee, looking up at her with nothing but love in his eyes.
Wait! This was happening?
Behind her, a wave of whimpers and gasps slipped through the night, and suddenly a semicircle of family and friends surrounded the outside of the gazebo.
Matt opened a small black box to display an antique diamond ring that glittered with every light in the gazebo.
“Mary Jane McBride,” he said, voice steady and full, “you are everything I ever dreamed of and more than I could imagine. I would like to make your life happy, content, peaceful, and full. Will you marry me and spend the rest of your life as my wife?”
Her hand pressed to her lips. Tears burned her eyes. Her knees wobbled and her heart stopped.
The world blurred except for him—this man, this miracle, kneeling in the snow and asking her to be his home. Did it matter where they lived?
No. Nothing mattered but saying the only thing she could say.
“Yes,” she whispered, breathless before she cleared her throat to make sure everyone he’d secretly gathered as witnesses really heard her. “Yes, of course I will!”
Matt surged to his feet, pulling her into his arms as the group that surrounded them erupted with a cheer. He kissed her and then slipped the ring on her finger, both of them laughing and crying at the same time.
When he finally loosened his hold, she pressed her forehead to his, laughing through tears.
“You said you knew where you wanted to live,” she reminded him, breath hitching as she braced for his answer. “Where?”
He pointed toward the lodge, up to the third-floor window glowing with warm light. “Home,” he said simply. “Where you are. That’s where I want to live.”
She melted all over again.
Family poured into the gazebo—led by Benny and Olivia, who offered up the champagne glasses from the table, their eyes sparkling with the role they’d played in the surprise.
“Mom! Congratulations!” Gracie hugged MJ so hard she nearly lifted her off the gazebo floor.
Cindy was crying openly when she came in for her hug.
“Can you believe this?” MJ whispered to her sister.
“I believe you deserve the greatest love story imaginable and I’m so happy for you.”
“Oh, Cin. Thank you. I love you.”
They hugged again while Jack clapped Matt’s shoulder. Nicole squealed and danced around, so beautifully willing to share her big day with her old aunt.
Red lumbered over and hugged her. “So happy for you, my dear daughter.”
“Fifteen seconds to midnight!” Someone yelled.
More voices joined as a noisy countdown began.
“Ten…nine…eight…”
Matt wrapped his arm around MJ and leaned close. “I can’t wait for you to be Mrs. Walker.”
“Six…five…four…”
She closed her eyes and held onto the moment with both hands and her whole heart.
“Three…two…one…”
A chorus of “Happy New Year!” rang out just as the first firework shot into the winter sky, exploding in a spray of color and hope.
“Happy New Year,” Matt whispered as he kissed her smiling lips.
Happy New Year, happy new life.
MJ had found her future and it was brighter and better than ever.