Epilogue One Year Later
LILAH
By the time the West private jet touched down on St. Barts, I’d already shed my coat—and most of my stress.
It turned out celebrating New Year’s Day, plus Holden’s birthday, on a beach instead of in a blizzard was exactly what my winter-and-work-ravaged soul needed.
“Come on, Frosty. I need sun, surf, and sand immediately,” Holden knocked on the bathroom door after we’d unpacked in our villa.
I stepped out wearing only a new red bikini, rewarded instantly by his low whistle.
“Damn,” he murmured. “Maybe I should revise your nickname to hot stuff.” He pulled me into his arms, nuzzling my neck.
“Nope. I like our names. Frosty and Mr. Snowman. They fit.”
“Agreed.” He took my hand. “Let’s hit the beach before I change my mind and tie you to the bed.”
He tugged me through the patio doors and down toward the shoreline. Warm air wrapped around us, salt and flowers mixing in the breeze.
“Ah. This feels good,” he said. “New birthday tradition. We start every year in the sun together.”
“It might not always be easy to leave Snow Quest behind,” I reminded gently. “We were lucky to get away—even for a few days.”
“After a year of snowstorms and a summer expansion with zip-lines and a mountain coaster for year-round fun? I needed this break. And so did you, you newly crowned Michelin-star chef.”
I beamed as our toes hit the water. We’d decided early on not to chase it Michelin status. The lodge, the restaurant, the life we were building together—that was enough. But I cooked everyday with love, and we earned it anyway.
“Guess I deserve a little time off,” I admitted.
“Definitely.” He pulled me closer. “Plus, you look too damn good in a swimsuit. Don’t worry—I packed plenty of aloe vera.”
I shoved his shoulder. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet you agreed to let me whisk you away last minute.” He kissed my temple. “Lucky me.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be than with you.” I squeezed his hand.
The beach was nearly empty, only a handful of people lingering to watch the ocean shift colors beneath a pink-and-purple sky as the sun slipped away.
“I hope you mean that.” Holden wrapped himself around me from behind. His mouth brushed my ear as he whispered all the things he planned for us later in bed. My toes curled into the warm sand.
“Now,” he murmured, “close your eyes. Don’t look until I tell you.”
I felt him step away. There was a rustle behind me—and then a deep, shaky inhale.
“What are you up to, Mr. Snowman?” I teased.
“Okay, Turn around.”
I did. Holden was on one knee in the sand, holding a Tiffany-blue velvet box.
“Oh…” My hands flew to my mouth as my breath left me entirely.
“Lilah,” he began, voice thick, “this past year with you has been everything. The wildest, most beautiful year of my life.”
My throat closed. Tears burned instantly.
“You brought life to my mountain. Magic to the restaurant. And a Michelin star.” His voice cracked. “I dreamed big. Had high hopes. And none of it would’ve happened without you. Now…” He swallowed. “Life feels almost complete.”
“Almost?” I breathed.
The ocean roared around us as he opened the box. The round cut diamond caught the last of the sunlight, brilliant and breathtaking.
“I love you, Lilah. Marry me. Complete me.” He slid the ring onto my shaking finger. It fit perfectly. “Be mine forever. Be my wife.”
The last ice inside of me that had frozen years ago when my first marriage fell apart finally melted.
“Yes,” I sobbed. “Yes, Holden. A million yeses. I love you too.”
He surged to his feet, spun me around, kissed me breathless.
“I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us, Frosty, but right now, I need to make love to my fiancée.”
He scooped me up and ran toward the villa, both of us laughing, already joking about ruining the luxury bedding—until we nearly collided with Garrett Fogelby, the owner of the exclusive resort.
“Oh! Holden—Ms. Childs,” he exclaimed, clearly distracted. “My apologies.”
“I just proposed,” Holden announced proudly, setting me down but keeping my hand locked in his. “And she said yes.”
“We’re getting married,” I blurted, flashing the ring because I needed to say it out loud. I’m marrying Holden West.
Garrett beamed. “Wonderful news. Congratulations.” He shook Holden’s hand and kissed my cheek. Then his smile faded. “It means a great deal today. It’s the anniversary of my wife’s passing.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Holden said, pulling me into his side.
“She loved this place,” Garrett continued. “We built it together. Without her, it hasn’t been the same. I’ve decided to sell.” He smiled sadly. “I hope whoever buys it brings new life here, the way we did.”
When he walked away, Holden’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Oh no,” I warned. “Don’t.”
“You don’t even know what I’m thinking.”
“I do.” I chuckled. “I’ve studied you for a year, Holden. You’re thinking you want to buy this place.”
He tilted his head. “So you really do know me. Why not? We survived a blizzard. Opened a world-class lodge. I don’t think that’s our last adventure. We can hire the best team for Snow Quest—and start a new quest here.”
“With you?” I sighed, hopelessly in love. “Yes. But if we buy it, I get naming rights.”
“Fair,” he laughed. “Since I named my mountain after you.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “The next place is mine.”
“Deal.”
We swayed there, a soft breeze rustling the palms overhead. My heart became too full to hold one more secret. I hesitated. Was this the moment?
“Speaking of names.” I took his hand and placed it gently over my stomach. “We can name our baby together.”
His jaw dropped. “Are you—Lilah?”
I nodded as tears spilled free.
He whooped, lifting me like nothing mattered but us. “We’re having a baby.” His voice broke. “I love you so damn much.”
“I love you too. I know this wasn’t planned—”
“But sometimes the best things aren’t. Like getting stuck in a snowstorm together. In fact, you have been the greatest surprise of my life.”
He swept me up again, and I caught a lone tear sliding down his cheek.
“Happy tears?” I asked, holding on tightly to my future husband.
“Always.” He beamed. “Because loving you, Frosty, is the greatest adventure of my life.”