Epilogue
Kayla
The wildflower valley looks just like it did the first time we rode out here, an explosion of color and calm tucked away beneath the Montana sky.
The horses graze lazily nearby. Wildflower’s ears flick toward us, but she stays content, swishing her tail and chomping grass like this is just another Saturday ride.
It isn’t. I know it isn’t, even if Colter doesn’t know I know.
The sky is honey-gold, the kind of light that softens everything it touches. I stand looking out on the field, trying to calm the wild flutter in my chest. Colter is behind me, boots crunching softly through the tall grass, not rushing– just steady, like he always is.
“This place never gets old,” I say, turning to face him.
His eyes met mine, soft and serious. “No. It doesn’t.”
I smile, half-teasing, half-nervous. “You’ve been quiet. Is it Wyatt?”
His younger brother, Wyatt, had spontaneously quit his job with Doctors Without Borders. That was three months ago. Since then, he’s moved onto his own quarter of land, as far from town as he can possibly be, and he’s been living like a hermit, only coming out of his cave when we force him to.
“No, it’s not Wyatt,” he shakes his head, smiling wolfishly. “He’s fine.”
“Then what is it?”
We stand for a moment, the breeze catching the edge of my shirt, the scent of wild mint and sun-warmed grass curling around us like a blanket. Colter takes my hand. His thumb brushes over my knuckles, slow and grounding.
“Another year of teaching in the books, how do you feel?”
“Thankful that I ever saw that job posting. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I’d stayed in Chicago.”
“I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if you’d stayed in Chicago either.” His jaw ticks back and forth. “I remember the first time we rode out here together.”
“I do too,” I confess. “You gave me the worst riding lesson ever.”
“And yet here you are, riding a horse.”
“I also remember you using Brutus as your wingman.”
“The bull pulled his weight,” Colt shrugs. “I was ready to lose it when you went on that date with Tanner.”
“Did I mention he’s the guest speaker at our next PD Day?”
“Kayla,” he growls.
“What? I just found out.”
“I don’t want to talk about Tanner right now.”
“You brought him up!”
“I was trying to tell you that I knew you were it for me from the moment you handed my ass to me outside the restaurant that night,” he sighs, exasperated.
It’s not my fault the guy can’t get to the point.
“You were so strong and brilliant, and I knew I would never be the same if you decided to leave. That’s why I brought you out here. ”
“Because you knew I’d never want to leave it behind?”
“Partially. And because I knew I had to open up to you to be able to move forward. So, I opened up to you,” he waves his hand out over the valley.
“I knew you were it. The one I wanted to bring out here again and again. The one I wanted to ride beside, wake up with, build with.” His voice drops, deep and sure.
“The one I want to love for the rest of my life.”
He reaches into his pocket, and my heart stops.
When he drops to one knee, I swear the entire world goes still.
The ring is simple, classic, and elegant. Just like him. Like us.
“Kayla Carson, you came into my life like a damn storm. And you stayed. You stayed when things were hard, when they were messy. You reminded me what a home feels like when I hadn’t even realized I’d forgotten.”
I blink back tears.
“I know you didn’t plan on Montana. And I sure as hell didn’t plan on you. But I want to plan on you now.” He holds out the ring. “Marry me?”
I nod so hard my braid comes loose. “Yes,” I choke out. “Yes.” He slips the ring on my finger, the perfect fit. I later found out he tried it on my finger while I was asleep one night to make sure.
Standing, he wraps his arms around me and twirls me in the air. “I love you,” he whispers into my neck.
“I was roped in the second I met you,” I whisper back. “And I don’t want to get loose.”
Colter smiles, setting my feet back on the ground.
“Good,” he says, voice thick. “Because I already threw away the rope.
Did you fall in love with Castlebrook, Montana? Are you not ready to say goodbye to the people who run the town? Read ahead for a sneak peek of Jake’s book, Wild Rescue.