Epilogue
EPILOGUE
JOANIE
As I stand in the wildflower field behind the community center, getting ready to watch my best friend marry the love of her life, I can’t help but reflect on the whirlwind of the past six months.
After Greg and I reunited in Seattle, everything quickly fell into place, surprising even me. I moved in with him in Alpine Ridge, and a few months later, I sold my condo in the city. Though we still use Greg’s Queen Anne house for our Seattle getaways, my heart is firmly rooted in the mountains.
The incorporation efforts hit a snag when the petition signatures were stolen, but Rae, ever the determined force, took it upon herself to collect them again. Within a couple of weeks, we were back on track. The final boundary meeting in June went smoothly, and now we’re just six weeks away from the election that will officially make Alpine Ridge a town.
Mia’s sister, Carrie, has been another surprising but welcome addition to our little family. After graduating and having a massive falling out with their parents, she moved in with Mia and Nate in July. She’s been doing remote work for Western Washington politicians as we enter election season, and she’s also agreed to spearhead our upcoming elections since while a few folks in town were willing to help, none were willing to run the show. It’s a win for everyone; I won’t have to handle something I know nothing about, Carrie’s resume will be even more impressive afterward, and the town will benefit, too.
Greg’s father did try to stir up trouble at the 4th of July celebration, but the town made it clear he wasn’t welcome. He hasn’t been heard from since. To my knowledge, he’s also still holding out on Sera’s buyout offer.
Ned’s parents have likewise found Alpine Ridge less than hospitable now that the truth about their son’s crimes and their cover-ups has spread. They recently put their grocery store up for sale, and Sera pounced on the opportunity. She has grand plans to turn it into something reminiscent of a Trader Joe’s, much to everyone’s delight.
But today is all about celebrating Mia and Nate. The setting couldn’t be more perfect — a sea of purple fireweed, white asters, and lingering yellow buttercups, framed by trees just beginning to don their autumn colors. Mia looks ethereal in her flowy white gown and aster crown, like a fairy bride straight out of a storybook. And Nate, dashing in his light grey slacks and crisp white shirt, can’t take his eyes off her.
The guest list is small but meaningful. Greg and I, of course, along with Rae and Carrie. Nate’s parents and brothers. Everyone is surprised to discover that Nate’s youngest brother is the famous Evan Edwards, one of the hottest action stars in Hollywood. Carrie seems particularly mesmerized by him, and the feeling seems mutual from how he’s flirting. And a handful of our closest friends from town round out the group. Mia’s decision not to invite her parents was difficult, but seeing the pure joy radiating from her and Nate, I know she made the right call.
Nate’s other brother, Dylan, officiates. He’s a musician, but apparently, anyone can become an officiant. When he calls the ceremony to order, Mia gives me a joyful but nervous smile. I squeeze her hand and push her toward the front of the crowd.
“Thank you all for coming today to share in uniting Nathan Edwards and Mia Anderson in marriage,” he begins.
Everyone quiets down, and Nate and Mia join hands in front of Dylan, eyes locked on each other, grins on both of their faces.
“Now, the bride and groom have elected to do their own additional vows privately after the ceremony, so everyone pay attention because this is going to go fast. Which is good because there’s Chantilly crème chiffon cake waiting for us,” he jokes. My mouth fills with saliva at the thought of one of Mia’s best cakes, so I don’t chuckle with everyone for fear of drooling all over my new lilac-colored tulle gown.
Dylan turns to Nate. “Do you, Nathan Edwards, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” Nate says thickly.
Mia choke-sobs, and I hold a hand up to my mouth to stifle a similar noise. They’ve both already been through so much between Gran’s death, struggles with Mia’s parents, and opening their businesses. Not to mention all the recent drama.
Nate smiles down at her, but I can tell he’s about to lose it, too.
Now Dylan turns to Mia, and just the look on her face has me blinking back tears. Even as a sobbing mess, she’s beautiful and radiating joy. “Do you, Mia Anderson, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?”
Mia nods for a moment as she swallows another happy sob. “Yes.” Dylan looks at her with raised eyebrows. She’s only confused for a moment before she laughs and chokes out, “I do” around giggles.
I facepalm and shake my head, laughing. Only Mia would forget the one line she’s supposed to nail. Thankfully, Nate is chuckling, too.
Dylan smirks. “Nate and Mia will now exchange the rings they’ve chosen for each other as a symbol of their unending love.” He turns to Nate, who fishes a ring from his pants pocket. “As you place this ring on Mia’s finger, please repeat after me.” Mia offers her hand, which Nate takes, carefully sliding the simple band onto her finger next to her blindingly huge engagement ring. “With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever.”
And that’s the line that does Nate in. Tears pouring down his face, he manages in a thick, joy-filled voice, “With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever.”
Tears are pouring down Mia’s face, too, as her hand shakes in his. And I wish I’d brought a towel to mop these two up afterward. I brush away a few of my own tears, realizing I probably also need one. An elbow gently nudges me from the side, and Nate’s mom slips me a tissue. I gratefully accept it, hoping she has more of those on hand.
“You ready, Mia, or do you guys need a minute?” Dylan teases.
Mia laughs and shakes her head. “I’m so ready.” She takes Nate’s hand and reveals the ring she’d had tucked in her palm.
Dylan smiles patiently and prompts her, “With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever.”
Mia takes a shaky, deep breath and slides the ring onto Nate’s finger, looking lovingly up into his face. “With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever.” And I think the worst of the tears have passed for her because she’s far steadier than Nate was. Nate, however, continues to cry unabashedly.
I’m not usually one for emotional displays, but seeing Nate, a steady rock of a man, cry like this is getting to me. Almost as much as Mia’s tears are. I can feel Greg’s eyes on me, but I don’t look. If I do, I know I’ll see his love and concern there, and then I’ll lose it, too. We can’t have the whole wedding party be a blubbering mess.
Dylan grins at the happy couple and spreads his arms out. “By the authority vested in me by the State of Washington … I now pronounce you husband and wife!”
The small crowd, myself included, claps, hoots, and cheers as Nate leans in and kisses Mia sweetly. And I can’t help it; I lean into Greg and whisper in his ear. “You can bet your gorgeous ass if that were us, there’d be a whole lot more tongue.”
Greg chuckles and leans toward me. “And probably some groping.” He winks at me.
I grin and give him a “guilty as charged” shrug because we both know he means me.
Nate and Mia turn to us all and are passed around for hugs before Rae leads us back to the community center, where the reception is held. It’s full of laughter, love, and more pastries than even I can handle. The cake is out of this world, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to be ordering this on the regular just because it’s practically orgasmic. Light, fluffy, and buttery, the cake itself is bliss even without the decadent vanilla-flavored whipped heaven. But watching Mia and Nate’s joy is the cherry on top. It’s the perfect day for my best friend, and my heart is so full of happiness for her and Nate.
As the happy couple departs for their Hawaiian honeymoon – a nod to the trip Mia was forced to abandon, ultimately allowing them to meet in the first place – Greg pulls me aside. We walk hand in hand to the pond on one side of the community center, settling on a bench overlooking the tranquil water.
I smile to myself remembering ice skating last winter when Greg and I showed off for each other before our first real heavy-petting session in his office.
“Well, it seems like that went off without a hitch. That might be the first event here that has,” Greg teases, running his hand through the layers of tulle of my skirt.
I turn toward him with a smirk. “I’m glad. They deserved it. Though I half expected her parents to show up and start some shit.”
“God, I hadn’t even thought of that,” he admits. “I hope my parents don’t do that when we get married.”
A laugh spills out of me. “When we get married?” I tease. “I don’t remember you even asking.”
Greg smirks and looks down. I follow his gaze. And in his hand is a small velvet box. My heart stutters as he opens it to reveal what appears to be a stunning diamond ring that’s the same shade of blue as my eyes.
“Joanie,” he begins, his eyes shining with emotion. “You came out of nowhere and made me feel alive. Being with you has made me a better man, one who wants everything out of this life with you by my side. As your husband, if you’ll have me. Joanie Morris, will you marry me?”
“You know,” I muse, looking away so he doesn’t see the sheen of tears in my eyes, “I always pictured you proposing during sex.”
Greg tips his head back and laughs loudly. Then he leans in and kisses me. “Then let’s go home, and I’ll try this again.”
I shrug lightly and gesture for him to give me the ring. He shakes his head, chuckling as he withdraws the ring and slides it onto my finger. I hold my hand out, examining the gorgeous jewelry exaggeratedly as I pretend to contemplate it and his question.
“Wait …” he says before I can say anything else. “You just said you’ve pictured me proposing.”
I give him a sly smile. “Maybe.”
He grins. “And did you see yourself saying yes to that proposal?”
My grin widens. “Maaaaybe.”
Greg laughs. “Joanie?”
And I can’t keep it up anymore. I laugh and grab him by the shirt, pulling him toward me. “Yes. Make me Mrs. Mountain Man, stud.”
Greg laughs against my lips, pulling me into his lap. And I don’t give a shit that I’m wearing a dress; I wrap my legs around him. He runs his hands up my bare thighs and groans into my mouth.
“I might get to propose again sooner than I thought,” he murmurs, pulling my core against his hard length.
“Public sex?” I gasp in a scandalized tone. “For shame.”
Greg sucks hard at the spot under my ear, and I moan. “You know you love it, dirty girl,” he teases.
I lean back and put my hands on his face. “I know I love you,” I reply sincerely. No snark, no teasing. “And I’d be honored to be your wife, Gregory Tyler.” And I seal it with a tender kiss so there’s no question that my “yes” is for real.
When his mouth breaks away, he rests his forehead against mine. “Ready to go home, fiancée?”
I nod, my heart soaring at the new title. At the idea of being his forever. Because he’s most definitely mine.
As we walk back to the community center, hand in hand, I can’t stop smiling. The future stretches out before us, filled with promise and possibility.
It’s wild that I’ve finally found my home. My happy ever after. I never imagined that path would lead me here, to this incredible man, to this life that feels like a dream come true.
But that’s the beauty of life, isn’t it? The unexpected detours, the surprises that catch us off guard and change everything.
Alpine Ridge brought me a better life than I’d had planned. It gave me love, purpose, and a sense of belonging. And now, it will be the setting for the next chapter of my story. Our story.
And I can’t wait to see what adventures await us. Mountain man and (former) city girl. Ready to take on the world. Together. Forever.
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