Epilogue Katelyn
Three Weeks Later
A dinner date with Garrison.
Even as I stare at my closet, trying to figure out exactly what I’m going to wear, I can’t keep the smile off my face.
We spent the last three weeks having dinners in while we both healed—he more so than I. Our evenings have consisted of Garrison, Thomas, and me all sitting in the living room watching a movie, or gathered around the table laughing and talking about our day. They’ve been the best nights of my life.
And this morning, I made the decision to reach out to my parents. Something I plan to do tomorrow, once I’ve figured out just what to say to them. How do I apologize for lying to and then abandoning them? For keeping their grandson from them for the last thirteen years?
One step at a time, Katelyn. I breathe deeply, trying to calm my nerves and set that aside for now. I want to enjoy tonight.
It seems so surreal, but in a matter of a month, my entire life has changed. My routine. And I am so beyond grateful for it.
Garrison Holt.
Navy SEAL. Ridiculously handsome neighbor.
The man who risked his life to save mine and my son’s.
I’m in love, and oh, does it feel so good.
I lift a cream-colored sweater with a scooped neck. Not low enough to show what it shouldn’t, but enough to reveal the silver cross I wear around my neck. I love this shirt, but will Garrison?
Someone knocks on the door to the apartment.
“Who is it?” I call out.
Thomas waits a beat, then calls back, “Miss Knox!”
“Let her in, honey!” I replace the sweater, then make sure my robe is closed before opening the bedroom door. “Hey, Anastasia, what’s up?”
“I am here to offer my services as best friend,” she says, then holds up a garment bag. “And I brought backup.”
“You are amazing. Come on in.” I close the bedroom door as she lays the garment bag on my bed and unzips it.
“Since you told me that you weren’t big on dating before, I assumed you probably didn’t have much.”
“That’s accurate.”
“Well, I have three great choices here, and since we’re the same size, they should fit you like a glove.” She takes a seat on my bed as I go through the bag, selecting a navy-blue dress with a modest neckline and partially open back.
“This is gorgeous.”
“It’s all yours,” she replies with a smile. “Go, try it on!” She ushers me into the closet—my closet. Wow, still feels weird to think that.
“How are you doing? How’s Jack?”
“He’s okay. Busy.” She’s quiet for a moment. “Have you talked to Sawyer lately?”
I finish slipping into the dress, then draw the side zipper up before stepping out into the room. “He came over for dinner last night. Why?”
Anastasia leans back against my pillows. “Just curious.” But it’s more than that, and I think we both know it. “Girl, that looks amazing on you. Keep it. I genuinely cannot wear it now that I know it looks that good on you.”
I laugh. “I cannot keep your dress.” Turning, I study myself in the mirror, my grin spreading as I realize that I really do look nice.
Not “cute diner waitress.”
But nice, with a capital ‘N’.
“Garrison is going to lose his mind.” Anastasia winks. “And my work here is done.” She stands. “Have a great time, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, and best of all, enjoy being in love with a wonderful, strong, amazing man who would do anything for you.”
“Thank you so much, Anastasia.”
She pulls me in for a hug. “Anytime, honey. Have fun. Need me to run Thomas over to Weston’s?”
The two bonded during the attack that nearly claimed my son and Kyle. So much so that he’s been spending at least three days a week helping Weston on the ranch he works at.
“That would actually be great, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
I step out into the hall after her. “Hey, honey, Miss Knox is going to take you out to Weston’s. Is that okay?”
“Sure thing!” Thomas sets his controller down, then turns. His eyes widen when he sees me. “Wow, Mom! You look beautiful!”
My eyes fill. “Thanks, baby.”
“Seriously. So pretty. I hope you guys have fun tonight.”
“You, too. No junk food before dinner.”
“Mom, I don’t even think Weston knows what junk food is.”
“It’s true,” Anastasia confirms.
I laugh. “Still.”
“All right, come on, kid. Let’s get out of here before your mom’s big date.” Anastasia winks at me as Thomas jumps over the back of the couch and pulls me in for a big hug. At almost fourteen, he’s nearly as tall as I am already, but he’ll always be my baby.
My sweet, wonderful boy.
We’ve talked a lot over the last month. About Victor and Earnest, and why things were so rough for us for so long. While I didn’t go into the details, he handled everything I did tell him with incredible maturity.
It lifted yet another weight from me.
“I love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.” Thomas pulls away and grabs his bag, then bounds out the door before Anastasia. I’m just heading toward the bedroom again when it opens.
“Did you forge—” But I stop mid-sentence when I turn around and see Garrison standing there in the doorway—staring at me as though I’m the single most important thing in the world.
“Wow,” he whispers. “You look amazing.”
I study his dark jeans and a button-down nearly the same shade as my dress. He’s wearing a pair of boots and has styled his hair. “You look amazing, too.” Attraction burns in my belly, a warmth that spreads through me as I look at him.
Oh boy.
“I’m starting to think that I’m underdressed.” He crosses over toward me, closing the distance in long, easy strides, until he’s standing only a few inches away.
I rest my hand on his chest and look up into those gorgeous eyes, so full of joy. Of love.
“You’re perfect.”
He leans down and captures my lips with his. A gentle kiss that stokes the fire that’s been burning within me for far longer than I want to admit.
“I wanted to wait, but—” He trails off and reaches into his pocket. When he withdraws a small velvet box, my heart begins to hammer. And when he drops to one knee, the world around me tilts on its axis, spinning wildly out of control in the best way.
“Garrison.”
“I know it’s soon, but I can’t wait, Katelyn.
I can’t wait for you and Thomas to be a part of my everyday.
I want to wake up with you in my arms and go to sleep the same.
I want to eat dinner with you guys every single night and spend our evenings together—as a family. So, Katelyn Ellis. Will you marry me?”
Tears blur my vision, and I can’t even see Garrison or the ring, but my heart is so, so full. “Yes. Yes!” I squeal, and he stands. I throw my arms around his neck and slam my mouth onto his, giving in to every bit of love I carry for him.
I never thought I’d find what I have now.
Never even dreamed of falling in love.
And now I not only have a love for me but someone who loves my son as his own. Someone who will never lay a hand on me in anger and will love me until the day I leave this earth.
Garrison is an answer to a prayer I didn’t know I had. I guess it’s a good thing God knows what’s in our hearts, even when we don’t.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you loved Garrison and Katelyn’s story! If you feel up for it, please consider leaving an honest review! They help so much.
And be sure to keep turning the pages for a sneak peek at Sawyer and Anastasia’s story, SEAL of Courage!