Epilogue
. . .
Cutler
“When do you think we’ll break ground?” she asked as I held her hand and walked toward the plot of land that we were going to build our dream house on.
“Well, seeing as the drawings are done and permits are in place, we can start anytime. But there’s something I wanted to run by you first before we can officially start.”
“Okay, but it’s getting dark, so I don’t know if we’ll be able to see much in a little bit,” she said.
Gracie had been back in town for a couple of weeks, and she’d already filed for a business license and gotten things up and running. My girl was one hell of an impressive woman.
She came to a stop when she saw all the candles forming a path. The guys had helped me put this together earlier today, and I couldn’t wait to bring her here. To make it official.
“What’s this?” she whispered.
“This is forever, baby.” I placed a hand on her lower back and guided her forward. “Come on, let me show you.”
Glass jars with taper candles lined the path, and at the end was a gigantic pink heart made out of flowers standing upright on a stand so it would be eye level. Pink roses filled the heart, and white roses inside spelled out “CH + GR,” just like the heart I’d made her all those years ago.
She didn’t speak; she just stood there with tears streaming down her face.
I thought I’d feel nervous when this moment arrived, but I felt completely calm. This was Gracie—and I’d never been more certain about anything in my life.
I dropped to one knee and took her hand in mine.
“I met you when I was five years old, Gracie, and I knew you were special even back then. I claimed you that day, and I swear I’ve claimed you every day since.
And what started as a friendship grew into something I never even knew I could have.
You are my best friend, my lover, and my favorite person on the planet.
” I swiped away the tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I’ve watched you these last few months, and I’ve been so damn impressed and inspired by you, pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone and kicking ass every step of the way like a goddamn warrior princess. ”
She chuckled, looking up at me with those gorgeous dark brown eyes, wet with emotion.
“And I had all the faith in you, Jeege. I knew you’d figure it out, and I knew I’d follow you wherever you wanted to go, because I realized the only dream that I’m chasing is right in front of me.
She’s been in front of me my whole life.
” I smiled, pushing away the lump in my throat.
“We’ve been through everything together, and you were always right there beside me.
My girl. And through all the storms that we’ve faced over the years, you were always the one standing there in the rain with me, pulling me through.
You have my heart. And I want to spend the rest of eternity loving you.
Building a home together and a family together.
I want you to be my wife. Gracie Reynolds, you are my forever.
My forever girl. Will you make me the happiest man and be my wife? ”
“You had me at ‘warrior princess,’” she said, her words breaking with a sob.
“I’m going to need a more specific answer,” I said, smirking. “Will you marry me, baby?”
“Yes. Of course. I’d marry you right here, right now,” she whimpered. “I’ve loved you my whole life, Cutler Heart.”
I pulled the ring box from my shirt pocket and slipped it onto her finger. It was a large round diamond on a platinum band. Classic and elegant, just like her.
“Oh my gosh, Bear, it’s stunning,” she said, gaping down at her hand and then blinking up at me. “I love it so much.”
I pulled her up to stand and leaned down and kissed her.
When I pulled back, I placed a hand on each side of her neck. “I’m so ready for you to be my wife.”
“I’m so ready for you to be my husband.” She sniffed a few times.
I took her hand in mine. “And we’re going to build our dream home right here.”
“Yes, we are. And Meatball definitely shouldn’t be an only child,” she said with a grin. “That would be very lonely for him.”
“Are we talking about puppies or babies?” I asked, my voice laced with humor.
She smiled. “We’re talking about everything. Thanks for giving me the fairytale, Cutler Heart.”
“Thanks for showing me that it exists.” I stroked my thumb along her bottom lip. “Are you ready to go celebrate with our friends?”
“They know about this?”
“There may or may not be an engagement party over at Four Clovers waiting for us.”
A wide grin spread across her face as we started walking. I was grateful at the moment that the candles were all battery-operated, at the insistence of Phoenix, who’d told me he was not okay with open flames.
So we could just leave these going until they ran out of charge.
“This is why I love small-town living. Everyone knows what’s happening and celebrates the big and the small moments,” she said, glancing up at me. “I can’t believe we’re getting married.”
“Yep. Time to start planning a wedding,” I said as the Down by the Bay Container Park came into view, and we could see that the place was packed. Country music boomed through the speakers, and as we approached, the music turned off, and everyone shouted at once.
“Congratulations!”
We both laughed and started making our rounds. A large cake was sitting on a table, and the drinks were flowing. Gracie answered a bunch of questions about the proposal, and I found my way over to the table with my boys.
“So I’m assuming she said yes?” Phoenix asked.
Brody laughed. “Of course she said yes. Would they be here if she didn’t?”
“I mean, there’s drinks and a cake and dancing. I was coming either way.” Phoenix used his hand to cover his smile, but I saw it there. This was his way of congratulating me.
“Man, I love weddings,” Cannon said. “There’s always an open bar and lots of horny single women there. It’s the best.”
“Well, glad to hear it, because you’re all going to be standing up there with me when we do it.” I held up the beer bottle that Brody had just handed me, and they all raised their bottles.
“To Heart,” Cannon said. “I would not have guessed you to be the first one to get married, but I can’t say I’m surprised that you ended up with the girl we all knew you should be with. I will miss my wingman, but I’m happy for you, brother.”
We all clinked our bottles together, and I took a long drink. My gaze moved to the dance floor to see Gracie out there dancing and smiling and having the time of her life.
“Do you think you’ll get married here or in Magnolia Falls or Cottonwood Cove?” Bass asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I’ll let her pick whatever she wants. I don’t care about the wedding. I’m just ready to make it official.”
“I’m happy for you, brother.” Brody clapped me on the shoulder. “And who would have thought you’d end up with our Gracie girl? She’s been right there in front of you the whole damn time.”
“Me.” Phoenix held up his hand. “I always thought they had something secretly going on, and they’d end up together.”
Cannon raised an eyebrow. “I’m with Nix. I was shocked they didn’t get together sooner. The sparks were sparking.”
“Did you just say ‘the sparks were sparking’?” Bass bellowed out in laughter.
“Hey, Jovi told me that’s a thing the kids are saying these days,” Cannon said with a laugh.
“Dude. Do not quote my sister or even look at her, you got me?” Bass glared at him before turning back to me. “I also thought you two would end up together eventually. I mean, you barely functioned when she moved to Paris. She’s your girl.”
“Yeah, he never has been happy with anyone other than Gracie, has he?” Brody shrugged. “I think you were just waiting for the right time.”
“I’m just glad we finally figured it out, because I can’t wait to marry that girl.” I held up my bottle again, and we all tipped our heads back at the same time.
“Meatball is one lucky bastard,” Cannon said over his laughter. “His parents are making it official. That dude gets private swim lessons, and Bass keeps sending leftover steak for him.”
“I bet he gets to attend the wedding too,” Phoenix said.
“Damn straight,” I said as I caught Gracie’s eye as she moved down the dance floor with a big smile on her face.
I just sat there watching her while they all made fun of me, and I didn’t give a shit. Because I could sit here watching her all night.
“For fuck’s sake,” Bass hissed beside me, pulling me from staring at my future bride.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I keep getting these emails from this woman named Briar Sinclair telling me that her company wants to buy the land beneath Bennett’s.
She’s called me multiple times over the last few weeks, and I just ignore the calls.
And now she keeps fucking emailing me, and she says she’s going to come to town and meet with me in person.
I’ve told her that I’m not interested in selling. ” Bass rubbed his face.
“Why does she want that land?” Brody asked.
“Apparently, they want to build a hotel on the corner, and they already purchased the two empty surrounding lots beside my restaurant, which is why I couldn’t expand when I’d attempted to do so last year. They’re obviously trying to force my hand.”
“I do love a persistent woman. Is she hot?” Cannon asked, and Bass flipped him the bird before Cannon threw his hands in the air in surrender. “I’m kidding, dude. We’ll figure this out.”
“Can’t you just ignore her? You own the place,” Phoenix said. “She’s going to have to find another piece of land to purchase.”
Bass exhaled. “That’s the thing. I own the building, but I don’t actually own the land beneath it. The subsurface rights were sold separately, so it’s a little more complicated than just telling her to fuck off. And they obviously have big money if they’re buying up multiple pieces of land.”
“Do you want to talk to my uncle River and get some legal advice?” I asked, because I could tell he was stressed about it.
“That might not be a bad idea.” Bass sighed and then shook his head and smiled, though I could tell it was forced. “All right, let’s take a shot. This is a celebration, and I didn’t mean to bring the party down.”
Brody added, “Let me grab us some celebratory shots, and we’ll deal with this Briar Sinclair bullshit tomorrow.” He walked to the bar and grabbed us five shot glasses of whiskey.
“Cheers to the first man to fly the coup,” he said as he held up his glass.
“May the rest of us stay single forever.” Cannon tipped his head back, and we all laughed.
“Hey there, fiancé,” Gracie said as she sidled up beside me.
“Hey, beautiful.” I tugged her closer before leaning down and kissing her hard.
“Damn. Get a room,” Phoenix said, and Cannon whistled.
“I think that’s actually a great idea. I’m taking my future wife home, and I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow.”
“What about the cake?” Phoenix shouted.
“You guys have at it,” I told them with a laugh.
I had other things on my mind.
We said our goodbyes as we made our way through the party, everyone in town congratulating us on our way out.
Once we were on the path to the house, I turned and picked her up and tossed her over my shoulder.
“Bear!” she squealed over her laughter. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to carry you over the threshold, baby,” I said as she smacked my ass from where she was hanging over my back.
“We aren’t married yet—we’re engaged. You do the threshold thing on our wedding night,” she said with a chuckle.
“Well, I guess I’ll be doing it multiple times, because I like carrying you. Get used to it.”
“You’re ridiculous,” she teased as I pushed the door open and set her down on the counter, moving to stand between her legs.
“I’m crazy in love with you, Gracie Reynolds.” I tucked her hair behind her ears.
She smiled. “I’m crazy in love with you too. Thanks for the swoony proposal.”
“Thanks for saying yes.” I stroked my thumb over her bottom lip. “This is just the beginning. Forever starts today.”
“Forever started the day I met you, Cutler Heart,” she whispered.
She tangled her hands in my hair and kissed me as I lifted her off the counter, her legs coming around my waist as I carried her to the bedroom.
She was right.
Forever started the day I met her.
I’d loved this girl my entire life, and I’d love her till I took my last breath.
She was my forever girl.
THE END