Epilogue
Eve hopped out of Reid’s truck. Warmth from the afternoon sun promised the coming of spring.
The winter had been long, but the only thing about it that had been hard was testifying against Tyson.
Something she’d do a hundred times over to get justice for both Dana and herself.
She’d spent every day since appreciative of the love and happiness Reid had brought into her life, and every night in his bed.
Meeting her at the hood of his vehicle, Reid reached out a hand.
She took it and glanced around her, curiosity rippling her brow. “What are we doing here?” The snow had melted around the safe house that held a special place in her memories. They hadn’t returned since the night they’d spent here months before.
“I have something to show you.” He stepped in front of her, blocking her from the cabin. “I want you to close your eyes.”
“Excuse me?”
“Just for a few seconds. Trust me.”
“You’re lucky you’re cute,” she teased but closed her eyes then covered them with her free hand for good measure.
Reid tugged her forward. “Watch your step. Nice and slow.”
Her foot crunched over dirt instead of gravel, telling her they’d ventured off the driveway. She moved carefully, appreciating the care Reid took as he guided her to the surprise destination.
They hadn’t gone far when Reid rooted his hands on her hips and stopped her. “Okay. You can open your eyes.”
She let her hand fall away from her face and stared at the green tips bursting through dark brown mulch.
He hooked an arm around her waist and stood beside her, flicking his wrist at the sprouts.
“I stopped by the other day and noticed the flowers we planted were starting to grow. I couldn’t help but stand here and look at them, realizing how much had changed since the day we put them in the ground.
When we planted those bulbs, we hadn’t given in to our feelings for each other yet, hadn’t really opened up and discovered how much we love each other. ”
She sniffed back happy tears. “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love you.”
“I feel the same, and these little bulbs are a constant reminder that we planted something together that was loved and nourished and will continue to grow into something so damn beautiful. So damn special.”
She leaned against him and let her head fall to his shoulder. “I wish I could see them every day.”
Pivoting, he faced her and took her hands in his. “What if I said you could?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’ve loved having you stay at my place, but it’s a little crowded with the three of us, and Tara’s not ready to commit to getting her own place yet.”
Her stomach dipped. They hadn’t exactly discussed her moving in with him. It had just kind of happened. Maybe she’d been wrong and had taken advantage of his kindness. She struggled to keep her smile in place. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking up your space.”
He grimaced then rubbed the back of his neck. “No, that’s not what I mean. I bought this place off Madden.”
Her heart sputtered on a gasp. “You did what? How? I thought this was for your business?”
He shrugged and reclaimed both of her hands. “We didn’t realize how much time it’d take to get it ready. We decided it’d be better to find something turnkey. Besides, this house holds some of my favorite memories. Memories that I want to cherish and relive every day with you.”
“With me? You want me to stay here with you?”
“No, I want you to move in here with me. I want this to be our home, our safe place, our little cabin in the woods with a lawn I can maintain while you find the right paint color for the living room.”
Her grin grew and she threw herself into his arms.
“Is that a yes?” he asked. Laughing, he lifted her off her feet and spun her in a circle.
“I love every single thing about that idea, and I love you. Thank you for being what I needed—for giving me everything I didn’t even know I wanted.”
He set her back on the ground and lowered his forehead to hers. “Right back at ya, babe. Now, are you ready to get to work on this place?”
“Trust me, I can’t wait to see those skills of yours put to good use.” She looped her arms around his neck and sealed the deal with the sweetest kiss.
Her life had been turned upside down, and she’d landed exactly where she was meant to be—with Reid, their new home and a future filled with limitless possibilities.