Epilogue
Pink,blue, and white balloons bounced and bobbed in a light summer breeze as kids with Velcro beanies chased each other around the lawn, tossing balls at each other’s heads.
What started out as a baby shower for Declan’s wife had turned into a big barbecue when the guys got back from taking the kids to the lake for lunch. Most of the guests had left about an hour ago, but Booker’s friends and their wives stayed.
Of course, when Beau, Margot, Jessa, and Walker came by to deliver a gift for Hellcat, they’d wound up staying, too, since Colt had joined the pack of kids and there was no pulling him away.
“Your child needs some help,” Jaime’s wife said to him as she brought out a tray of cupcakes she’d just whipped up.
Everyone looked over to see the couple’s two-year-old son trying to place his hat on Moto’s head, but the dog kept darting and dodging.
“Well, that answer’s the age-old question,” Cole said. “Coordination isn’t genetic.”
Laughter broke out, the bonfire snapped and sparked, and the air was scented with smoke, pine, and fresh mountain air. With Hellcat on his lap, contentment seeped into Booker’s bones. He was a happy man.
“He’s not even two.” Jaime pretended to be offended. “And that dog’s feral.”
“Kind of like your daughter.” Phinny tipped her chin to one of Cole’s twins, who shouted like a Highlander racing into battle while pursuing the older kids with an armful of balls and pummeling them.
While the group cracked up, Cole sat back in his Adirondack chair. “That’s my girl.”
“Meanwhile, there’s our child.” Hellcat had her arm around his neck, her ass parked on his lap, as she pointed. Stevie, who’d been right in the thick of things all day, was lying on the grass, one ankle propped on a bent knee, as she blew the fluff off a dandelion.
“She’s taking a break.” His heart swelled with love for his little girl, the light of his life. “And she doesn’t give a rat’s ass what the other kids think of her.” He admired his daughter’s independent spirit.
“She definitely knows her own mind.”
He kissed her upper arm. “We make good babies. I can’t wait to meet this one.” He pressed his palm flat on her pregnant belly. He loved to feel the little guy move. Of course, at nine months, there wasn’t much room left in there.
Soon…
“Me, too. Blaze is ready to come out.” She gave him a mischievous smile. “I can tell.”
“Right?” They couldn’t decide on a name. She wanted Cash, for Johnny Cash, or Mick, for Mick Jagger. He wanted to name the baby after his dad. Dylan Hayes. It had become a running joke throughout the pregnancy. “As soon as I meet Thor, I think I’ll cry.”
Hellcat broke into a smile. “I can’t wait to show you the personalized night-light I got him. He’ll get to see his name up on the ceiling.” She made a sweeping motion with her hand. “Moose.”
Cracking up, he tightened his hold, and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They were a bundle of love, and he’d never been happier in his life. God, he loved this woman. She was everything to him.
“Lorelei?” Cole’s wife called. “Moto just ate the bag of marshmallows. Do you have another one?”
“And when she says ate the bag...” Declan held up the empty bag, torn to shreds from canine teeth. “She means it literally.”
“Oh, my God, that dog.” Hellcat started to get up, but he held on to her firmly.
“We’ve got plenty.” Rising out of the chair with her in his arms, he set her down and kissed her on the mouth. “I got it.” He got about halfway to the house when a shriek had him turning around, but it was just a couple of the kids landing in a pile and Moto licking their faces.
Booker took in the scene. His best friends in the world laughed and told stories around a bonfire. His daughter scissored her arms and legs as if making snow angels in the grass. And Hellcat was surrounded by friends and family and pregnant with their second child. She looked radiant.
And that was when it struck him.
Why the hell aren’t we married?
A year ago, right after he’d quit his job, Hellcat had started her retreat for musicians, and he’d taken over ownership of the Renegades. He got to work with his friends every single day. He even got to free skate with them a couple times a week.
It had been a hectic time, and now, she was about to bring their second child into the world. They just hadn’t had a chance to plan a wedding.
But the baby would come any day now, so when would they ever have time?
Enough putting it off.
Enough waiting.
The setting sun painted the sky purple and orange, and the evening light cast silver tones in Hellcat’s blond hair.
I’m putting a ring on her finger.
Before he grabbed the marshmallows, he ran up to their bedroom and slipped into the closet. A small section of the built-in cubbies was reserved for his shoes, but he didn’t remember which one held the blue velvet box.
Was it the black dress shoes? He shoved a hand inside each one and found nothing.
Oh, shit.
He didn’t remember. The hiking boots? That would make sense. They were the largest. But no, those were empty, too.
Well, hell.
He’d designed the ring nearly a year ago, and it had taken several months to find the right diamonds—they had to be the perfect quality and shape for the tiered design.
“Daddy?” Stevie stood behind him. “You gots the marshmallows? I’m hungry.”
His little girl had dandelion fluff in her hair and a smear of chocolate on her chin. She looked exhausted. “Come here, love.” He lifted her into his arms and settled in the gliding rocker Hellcat’s family had bought her at the festival that afternoon. It was meant for late-night nursing but was perfect for early-evening cuddling.
He hummed her favorite Lorelei Calloway song, the one that had her dancing across the kitchen while they cooked. Only, he slowed it way down. As he rocked, he stroked her hair, and she let out a satisfied sigh.
He’d done it. He’d been there for his little girl. He’d let her know every day—every minute of her life—she was loved. She was Daddy’s little girl.
With his daughter collapsed against him, he relaxed fully, and that was when he remembered where he’d put the ring. He’d slipped in through the kitchen door, hiked up the back stairs, and just when he’d reached his closet, he’d heard Hellcat calling for him. He’d planned on hiding the box in his hiking shoe, but he’d tossed it onto the top shelf just seconds before she’d found him.
“Daddy?” his sleepy daughter asked.
He would never get tired of hearing that word. “Yeah, peanut?”
“Can I have s’mores now?”
He laughed. “Of course, you can.” But before he got up, he shot Hellcat a text message.
Booker: Emergency in cabin twelve.
He glanced out the window to see the orange flames dancing in the firepit, the kids lying on their backs under a graying sky, all of them holding hands like a human chain, and Hellcat checking her phone. Gripping the arms of her chair, she heaved herself up and waddled over to the cabins.
With the ring in his pocket and his daughter on his hip, he hurried downstairs and tossed the bag of marshmallows to Declan, who caught it and told the kids to find sticks long enough for the fire.
“You got Stevie?” he asked his friend.
“Of course.” Declan reached for the little girl, and she went easily into his arms.
Booker headed straight for the cabins. Each step brought him closer to the love of his life. She’d left the door open, so he walked right in and found her in the yellow glow of lamplight.
“What’s going on?” she asked. “I checked the bathroom. The plumbing’s fine.”
“You’re gorgeous.” Damn, he couldn’t wait to marry her.
Her features melted. “Even when I’m the size of a whale, you still make me feel sexy and wanted.”
“Oh, I want you all right. I want you forever.” He dropped to a knee. “Hellcat, I can hardly remember when having a big career was my highest value. I can hardly remember the rush of a big bonus check. But you know what I do remember? How it felt that first morning in the cabin when I came out of the bedroom to find you dancing.”
Her features pinkened prettily. “It was cold.”
“And I remember the loneliness I felt when I got back to work. Even though I’d only known you a short time, I felt closer to you than I’d ever felt to anyone. With you, I’m my best self.”
She nodded. “Yes. I feel the same way.” Tears welled. “Exactly.”
“The bond I feel with you is so big, it knocked down my walls and gave me no choice but to pay attention to my heart, and even though I feel married to you in every way possible, I want to make it official. Lorelei Annabella Gentry, will you make my heart sing for the rest of my life?”
Big, fat tears spilled down her cheeks. “Are you kidding me? That’s the most beautiful proposal I’ve ever heard.” She pressed a hand over her heart. “Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.”
He pulled the box out of his pocket and cracked it open.
She gasped when she saw the ring. “What in the world? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
After he slid it onto her finger, she held up her hand to take in the tiara-shaped taper of diamonds. The bottom was a straight line, and the top crested on either side to make it look like a crown. “It’s stunning.”
“You’re a queen, a goddess, you’re everything beautiful and powerful in this world.” He stood, pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly against him. “And I swear to God, I will work every day of my life to be a better man so I can love you and cherish you the way you deserve.” She threw herself into his arms, and they clung to each other. “I love you, Hellcat. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.”
He tipped her chin and kissed her lightly, sweetly, but his heart swelled with so much affection for this woman that the kiss turned deeper, ravenous. She clutched at him, frustrated by the big belly keeping them from aligning their bodies. Sweeping her off her feet and into his arms, he carried her to the bed?—
Shouting and chaos outside burst into the cabin. Moto raced in with a bag of chocolate bars in his mouth.
“Grab him,” Cole shouted.
“Don’t let him eat chocolate,” Declan called.
And then, everyone crammed into the cabin, coming to a comical stop when they found him carrying Hellcat like a bride over a threshold.
“Are you all right?” Phinny asked with concern.
Jaime swiped the bag out of Moto’s mouth and asked, “What’s going on?”
Hellcat cast Booker a questioning look, and he nodded. Hell, yes, we’re telling them.
He wanted to race up to the summit and shout it to the world. I’m marrying the love of my life!
“Well, two things. One…” She held out her hand. “We’re engaged.”
Everyone gathered around them with hugs, slaps on the back, and congratulations.
“I’m so happy for you, punkin,” her dad said.
“Oh, that’s a gorgeous ring,” Margot said.
“Stunning,” Jaime’s wife said.
While the women gushed over the ring, his friends clustered around him. No one said a single word, but he read every one of their expressions.
Good job.
Well done.
I’m happy for you, man.
“What’s the second thing?” Phinny asked.
Hellcat grimaced. “My water broke.” She beamed a smile at Booker. “You ready to meet Dylan?”
“You serious?” he whispered past the knot in his throat.
She nodded, and he kissed the tear that trickled down her cheek. “Thank you,” he said right before he kissed her on the mouth.
“Let’s go to the hospital,” Cole said.
“Who’s staying with the kids?” Declan asked.
He let the group figure things out, as he carried his fiancée into the house to grab her bag and get ready to bring their son into the world.
* * *