Epilogue
* Three Years Later *
“Congratulations, Emerick!”
I grin from ear to ear at the white-haired lady passing by. “Thank you, Mrs. Pinkney. Send my best to your husband.”
I’ve barely made it another ten steps when I hear, "Congrats, Emerick! Do you know—”
I shake my head, smiling. “Not yet, no.”
“Keep us posted?”
“Will do.”
By the time I’ve gotten back to the truck with four stuffed grocery bags, three more people in Old Hemlock Valley have stopped me on the street to congratulate me. These days, I tend to stop for more than a split second. Just…not right now, while Joy is waiting.
She was supposed to be resting while waiting in the truck, but I spot her walking out of the coffee shop. She was probably using the bathroom, or picking up more peppermint tea.
“Hold on, sugar.” I drop the bags in the back of the truck, then open the door for Joy to get in. “You shouldn’t try to climb in and out without me.”
“I’m fully capable of—”
“Not right now, you’re not.” I help her in, fasten her seatbelt, then kiss her cheek. “Please let me pamper you, sugar. It makes me feel useful.”
I rush around to the driver’s side and hop in. She’s still laughing. “You’re plenty useful. You’ve been doing almost all the cooking lately.”
My hand reaches out to rest gently on her belly. It’s just a slight bump, but it’s noticeable to me since I’ve memorized every single delicious inch of her body. “You’re doing the important cooking. You’re baking a brand-new Wolfe in there.”
Her left hand, now flashing a ruby and diamond wedding set, takes mine. “Is everyone still asking you if it’s a boy or a girl?”
“Yeah.”
“And are you growling at them?”
“Not at all. I’ve been on my best behavior.”
My entire demeanor has changed over the past three years.
I’m still not the most talkative person in the world.
I prefer keeping to myself and staying home as much as possible.
But now I’ve joined a group of guys who shoot pool and have a beer together at least once a month.
I’ve been learning the names of people who clearly know me, too.
I’ve come out of my surly loner shell, thanks to Joy.
She’s completely blossomed too, becoming the unofficial social coordinator of Rathlock.
There’s now a monthly potluck in the building that’s used as a town hall, even though the area still isn’t big enough to be called a town.
There’s also an informal gardening club where people drop in on whoever’s garden needs the most work that week, and a “lazy readers club”, where people simply leave a book on the shelf at the post office, with a sticky note saying what they thought of it.
She’s also reorganized our house, added some much-needed color, created a streamlined system for my furniture making, and…oh yeah…gotten pregnant with our Wolfe-cub-to-be.
“What do you want for dinner tonight, sugar?”
She gives me that smile that I always feel right the way across my chest. “I’m actually so tired I can’t think.”
“Spinach salad, chicken and pepper pasta, and a blueberry smoothie?”
“Ding ding ding! You’ve just won the prize for best husband ever. Thank you.”
Leaning close, I capture her soft mouth in a long, dreamy kiss, not even caring that half of the town might be staring through the windshield.
“You can have a smoothie for dessert. Me, I need what’s between those perfect thighs.”
She giggles, her eyes twinkling. “I love you, my sweet husband mountain man.”
“And I love you, sugar.”
Want more? For a spicy bonus scene (not part of the story, just a little something extra) please click here or visit the bottom of the *Books* page at .
You’ll meet Knox in Mountain Man’s Darlin’, Thane in Mountain Man’s Angel and Barrett in Rescued by the Surly Woodsman.
You’ll also see more of Bear’s cousins in the Billionaires of Wolfe Mountain series and the Wolfe Mountain Men series.
Keep reading for a preview from Wolfish Heart.
Kaden
“I’m guessing you didn’t get any videos done, though.”
Zoe laughs musically. It’s a sound I’m already falling in love with. “Nah, too busy. All good, though.”
Pulling her into my arms, we sink into the chair together, arms entwined as if we’ve known each other for years.
Zoe’s cheeks flush slightly as she squirms into a comfortable position curled against my shoulder.
“You gave me exactly what I needed to get started with my project. So I thought…you know… I should return the favor.”
My thumb caresses her cheekbone. “Can you guess what I need right now?”
Her breath catches. “Maybe? Or maybe I’m just hoping.”
Leaning back slightly, I tilt so that she’s leaning over me. I want the decision to sink toward me or not to be completely hers. “Kiss me?” I whisper. “I’ve been dreaming of it since we met.”
The next few seconds while I wait are the longest of my life, as my palm strokes her back. Her lovely eyes are huge as her tongue darts across her lower lip and she takes a slow breath. Then Zoe leans in tentatively, sweeping her hair out of the way behind her ear before pressing her lips to mine.
My pulse pounds in my ears as I pull her closer, the soft kiss progressing from gentle to fiery in just a few racing heartbeats. She’s clearly as excited as I am, her lips parting as the kiss deepens even more.
My entire existence is reduced to a series of snapshots. The feel of Zoe’s soft hair against my cheek. The pressure of her fingers gripping my shoulder, and her round ass on my thigh. The sound of her uneven breath, followed by her slight gasp. The way our bodies fit together so perfectly.
Soon she’s practically lying on top of me as I hold her close, my hand shifting to caress her hip. Her lips are soft as we kiss eagerly, tongues exploring and sighs and moans from both of us hovering in the air.
I adore this woman.
The logical part of me points out that I don’t know her well enough for thoughts like this.
Well, logic can sit down and be quiet. She’s what I’ve needed.
What I’ve dreamed of. Like being underwater for a full minute, then resurfacing and taking that first full breath.
The bright spark that has been missing and that I’ve craved my entire life.
Even though she has no idea yet what it means that I’m a Wolfe.