Epilogue
NOELLE
There’s nothing sexier than watching Webb in action.
I can’t take my eyes off him while he pilots the helo; his expression intently focused on the controls and the expanse of blue sky and wisps of clouds around us.
He’s fully confident in his skills, never hesitating.
A small smile tugs at his lips, a reminder of how much he truly loves this—being up in the air and commanding this powerful machine.
Every thirty seconds or so, he’ll glance over to check on me, the intensity in his gaze softening immediately. And sometimes he’ll take my hand and give it a gentle squeeze, silently reassuring me that there’s nothing to worry about.
I’m not worried, though. Not with Webb as my pilot. In the year we’ve been together—well, if we’re counting from our first official date, which I am—I’ve come to trust Webb with everything. My safety. My hopes and aspirations. My heart. And he’s never let me down, not even once.
Don’t get me wrong, we disagree like all couples do.
Like when I think Webb is being too overprotective, or he thinks I’m taking unnecessary risks.
Or it could be something absolutely ridiculous in hindsight, like when I got mad at him for bringing home takeout after I’d spent the last two hours cooking dinner at home as a surprise.
For the record, we ended up having my dinner that night and saving the pizza for the next. Which was a pretty obvious solution when I thought about it. But in all fairness, I was PMSing. So I think I could be excused for a little irrational anger.
“Rafe just brings me chocolate,” Eden confided when I brought up the dinner argument during our last wine and charcuterie night. “He knows it’ll be easier on both of us if he does.”
Rafe brings Eden chocolate. Indy brings Bea cooking accessories. And Webb? He brings me cute stuffed animals to add to my ever-growing collection. Now I have an entire shelf in our bedroom dedicated to them, with Bigfoot and Grizzle right at the center.
The thought of my stuffed animals reminds me of the most recent one Webb gave to me—a fuzzy stuffed Scottie named Monroe. It was the first of my one-year anniversary gifts, propped up on my pillow when I came back into the bedroom this morning after brushing my teeth.
“Happy anniversary,” Webb told me as I stroked Monroe’s fuzzy head. “Another to add to your collection. And I was thinking… If you wanted, we could look for a real one. Now that you’ve got the community theater up and running.”
We’ve talked about getting a dog before, but there was always something stopping us.
An extended work trip for Webb. Casting for the first production of the Williston Theater, which celebrated its first opening night four months ago.
Then there were the vacations—to London, San Antonio to visit the Bravo Team, and New Mexico to visit with Owl and his friends.
And most recently, everything that happened with Ace and Yara.
But now… things seem to have finally calmed down.
The theater is plugging away nicely, thanks to the help of Glenda and Randy, who not only started dating thanks to Webb’s matchmaking efforts, but turned out to be huge theater lovers.
Business with Blade and Arrow is good. I’m only working lunches at Doug’s Diner now, so I’d have time to take care of a dog.
Plus, I know everyone else at B and A would want to be a part of it. So maybe…
“How are you doing?” Webb asks, his voice crackling slightly over the headset. “Still feeling alright?”
“Still good,” I assure him. With a smile, I add, “Must be because I have such a great pilot.”
He reaches over to take my hand again. “My co-pilot is pretty great, too.”
With a small snort, I reply, “Your co-pilot hasn’t done anything other than sit here and look at the scenery.”
“That’s enough for me.” Webb adjusts the throttle, and the helo gracefully dips in the air. “If you’re enjoying yourself…”
“I am.” As Webb steers the helo to the right, the snow-covered peak of Mount Hood appears.
My heart catches as I’m reminded of Webb and my first official date.
It’s hard to believe that back then, I could have resisted dating him.
It’s hard to believe I didn’t know he was the one I’d want to spend the rest of my life with.
But so much can change in a year.
And oh, has it.
I don’t live on my own anymore, but with Webb at his—our—apartment at the B and A headquarters.
Not only did I find the most incredible man, but I discovered a group of friends who have become more like family. “I hope they’re not going to replace me,” Jaz confessed a few months ago, half-joking, half-serious.
“Never,” I assured her. “You’re my best friend. That’s never going to change.”
I have two jobs I love, and I feel more fulfilled than I ever have before.
Both men who wanted to hurt me are gone for good. First Ken, and then, six months ago, Dario, who ironically died of a real heart attack right in the middle of the prison cafeteria.
It’s a blessing, in my opinion. Now the people affected by his sadistic plays will never have to worry about him coming after them again.
The actors who survived—all the ones I was with, even Paul and Hector—can hopefully move on.
The families of the victims Dario preyed on, using their youth and dreams of success to draw them into a deadly trap, can finally get closure.
As for me? My nightmares have diminished from daily to weekly, to maybe once or twice a month at most. I can walk through downtown Williston without jumping at sudden noises. I’m not scared to be alone anymore.
And I didn’t let him win. I didn’t let either of them win—Ken or Dario. Because I’m still here. Still making magic, like I’d always dreamed. And now I know I’m so much stronger than I ever thought I was.
Yes, a lot can happen in a year. Some of it terrible, and some the complete opposite. But it’s like I’ve talked about with Eden and Bea. If it hadn’t happened, we might not be where we are today. And where we are now is pretty great.
“We’ll be landing in a few minutes,” Webb says, interrupting my silent tangent. “There might be a bump or two when we land. So don’t be scared if it happens.”
Patting his arm, I reply, “I’m not worried.
” Then I turn my attention back to Mount Hood again.
The plan isn’t to land near the summit—too risky if you’re with me, Webb explained—but at a trail shelter on the way up.
There, we’ll have a picnic to celebrate our first anniversary, followed by a pass over the summit before heading back home.
Tonight, we’re going to have a nice dinner at Frolicking Goats, the new farm-to-table restaurant in Williston. And after?
Well, I think I might ask Webb to take control again. And I’ll wear the new, sexy lingerie I bought, just for the occasion.
I smile to myself at the mental image it brings. Webb coming up behind me, palming my breasts through the lacy fabric, one hand moving between my legs, his erection jutting hard behind me…
Heat blossoms in my belly. My core squeezes.
“Get ready,” Webb says. “I’m taking her down now.”
I look out the side window as the ground moves towards us.
With it being summer, the grass is still green, spotted with clusters of yellow and purple flowers.
The grass rustles from the wind created by the propeller.
Several small pines nearby bend slightly in the breeze.
And above that, Mount Hood rises into the horizon, still covered with patches of snow.
The helo bumps once before settling, and Webb makes a face at the controls. “Little crosswind at the end,” he grumbles.
As he powers down the engine, I reach behind us to grab the picnic basket. Once the helo is quiet, he takes the basket and unclips my harness, then kisses me on the cheek. “Don’t get out yet,” he says. “Wait here until I come get you. Okay?”
“Okay.” I kiss him back. “I’ll wait.”
But I thought he meant for me to wait just long enough for him to come around to my side of the helo. Not for me to sit here, five minutes on, wondering what he’s doing.
Setting up the picnic, my inner voice of logic explains. He’s trying to make it romantic. And having you help set everything up isn’t.
Or, my heart whispers, maybe he’s setting something else up. Something you’ve been thinking about for months.
Nervous flutters fill my stomach. Would he? Today? Here?
And if he does, would I say yes?
I snort quietly to myself at the lunacy of my question. Of course I would. I would have said yes six months ago, if Webb had asked.
But today? Could he?
“Okay, gorgeous,” Webb says from beside me. I’m so deep in my thoughts, I jump in surprise. He immediately looks contrite. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You didn’t.” Taking his hand, I let Webb help me from the helo and onto the ground. “I was just thinking, that’s all.”
His eyes crinkle up as he smiles. “Good things, I hope.”
“Definitely good things.” I put my other hand on his shoulder for balance as I kiss him. “Great things, really.”
“Well, I hope this is one of them.” Webb leads me across the grass to a picnic blanket set up a short distance away.
“I’m sure it will be,” I reply. Swinging our linked hands, I give a happy little skip. “A picnic on Mount Hood to celebrate our first date and our one-year anniversary? I can’t think of anything better.”
Webb’s fingers tighten around mine. “I can’t either.”
Once we reach our picnic spot, an oft-hidden vulnerability flickers in his eyes. “I tried to make it special. For our anniversary.”
I glance down at the picnic blanket, beautifully arranged with small arrangements of flowers, a bottle of champagne with two glasses, a box of gourmet chocolates from the candy store in Newberg, plus a charcuterie platter that puts any other I’ve seen to shame.
“I packed sandwiches and salads, too,” Webb explains. “In case we want something more substantial. But I thought this would be a good start.”
“It’s perfect,” I reply. Lunging at him, I hug him hard. “This is the perfect picnic. I love it.”
Webb stares at me, his eyes nearly the same color as the brilliant blue sky above. He swallows hard. “I have one other thing.”
My heart jumps.
Oh, please, it whispers. Let this be what I’ve been hoping for.
And then.
Webb drops to one knee.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box.
“Noelle,” he starts. “I—” His voice cracks. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time. But I wanted to make sure it was right. The last thing I’d ever want to do is rush you into something—”
“You’re not rushing me,” I blurt. “Not at all.”
He blinks. “Okay.”
“Sorry.” My cheeks warm. “Keep going.”
Webb flips open the box to reveal a beautiful ring inside. It has a cushion-cut diamond surrounded by smaller yellow stones, and when the sun catches it, tiny rainbows dance across Webb’s shirt and face.
“The yellow ones are diamonds, too,” he explains. “I wanted something unique. Special. And the yellow, it reminds me of the gold in your eyes.”
My legs go wobbly for a second. “Webb.”
“I love you so much, Noelle.” He takes my left hand.
“I wish I knew how to say how much. But I can’t come up with the right words.
The best way I can explain it is… before you, there was an empty part of me.
But I didn’t realize I was missing something.
I didn’t realize it until I met you. And you… you filled that empty part.”
Tears fill my eyes. “Webb,” I whisper.
“I finally discovered how it felt to be whole,” Webb continues. “I didn’t know I could be this happy before. I didn’t know I could love someone like this. And Noelle—” He swallows hard again. “I want forever with you.”
My voice wobbles. Tears trickle down my cheeks. “I want forever with you, too.”
Alarm flashes across Webb’s face. “Don’t cry.”
“It’s fine.” I wave at my face. “I’m fine. It’s just… I’m happy.”
“Oh.” His shoulders sag. “Okay. Good.” Then he starts to slide the ring onto my finger.
With a laugh, I ask, “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Like what?”
“Like actually asking me?”
“Oh.” Webb’s cheeks flush pink and he gives me a sheepish smile.
“I’m a little nervous. In case you couldn’t tell.
” He takes a deep breath and lets it out in a rush.
“Will you marry me, Noelle Snow? Do me the greatest honor of my life by becoming my wife? Let me take care of you for the rest of our lives?”
I don’t hesitate. “Yes.” Dropping to my knees, I fling my arms around him. “Yes. I will absolutely marry you. I can’t wait to be your wife. And I can’t wait to call you my husband.”
Webb gazes at me for a long moment, emotion working in his eyes. Then his mouth crashes down on mine. He kisses me long and hard before pulling away. Taking my hand, he slides the ring onto my finger. “My wife. I love the sound of it.”
I glance down at the ring, then back up into the eyes of the man I love.
Joy sweeps through me.
And I can almost hear my dad whispering to me, I’m so happy for you, Nelly. You found a good one. And I know he’ll take care of you.
He will, Dad, I reply silently. And I’m so happy, too.
Gazing into Webb’s eyes, I say, “My husband. I love the sound of it, too.” Then I frame Webb’s face with my hands and kiss him with all the love in my heart. “And I love you.”
“My incredible Noelle.” Webb hugs me close. “I love you, too.”