Epilogue
Riley - Two Years Later
“Congratulations,” Vera, my agent, says, “you’ve earned it. And now go celebrate with Bear and Autumn. How is she by the way?”
“She’s such a happy little girl,” I say looking out the window, my chest fluttering when I see the two most important people in my life.
Bear has Autumn on his shoulders as she giggles with delight, a couple of wildflowers threaded behind her ears. You’d think I’d be more ecstatic to learn that my latest thriller, Mountain of Secrets, became a New York Times Best Seller.
It’s the first time any of my books reached the list. But in the end, it’s just a list, and reaching it isn’t going to make me happy. I’m already happy. How can I not be when I have an amazing husband like Bear and such a wonderful baby girl like Autumn?
I never thought I’d live in the mountains. I never thought I’d find a man like Bear or start a family. For the longest time, I was convinced that I was going to live out my life in a tiny apartment, writing stories that entertained me and a few other people.
But all that changed because of a busted gas gauge.
Bear calls it fate. We were meant to be together—waiting for the universe to pull the strings and guide us to each other.
Maybe there’s something to it, but whatever the case may be, it doesn’t matter.
What matters is that we found each other.
We fell in love. And we’ve created a life together that I never could have dreamed of.
I do what I love and live a wonderful and fulfilling life with my family. Being recognized is nice, and so will the new attention on me and my books. But the only attention I want or need is my family’s.
“She’s beginning to walk.” I swear every single day she’s adding another step.
Once she learned she could stand without holding onto the couch, it was like a whole new world opened up.
I can still remember watching her face as the realization slowly set in.
Eyes flaring. A huge, mostly toothless grin. One, tentative step…
And then she fell. My heart leapt to my throat as I watched but before either Bear or I made it to her, she got up and tried it all over again. She has Bear’s tenacity. And my curiosity—always trying to work things out.
“Oh, no,” Vera says. “I mean, that’s great. She’ll be hiking with you two in no time.”
“She’s a determined little one. Hard-headed. Just like her Daddy.”
After catching up for a few more minutes, we end the call, and I make my way outside. We’re supposed to head down to Whispering Winds—the old bookstore was revamped not too long ago and they’re having a grand re-opening.
“Dada,” Autumn squeals when she spots me. We’re still working on ‘Mama,’ but she’s resistant—everything’s Dada to her right now.
“Mama,” Bear says, “Look it’s Maaaa Maaaa.”
I smile because he’s really trying to get her to call me Mama.
“How are my two favorite people in the world doing?”
“Better now that you’re here.”
A warm, fluttering sensation spreads outward from my chest, bubbling into my throat as Bear leans forward and kisses me softly. Even though it was tender and brief, it leaves me light-headed and wanting more.
The sound of thunder rumbles in the distance as the air dips a few degrees on the back of a soft breeze. “We may not make it to the bookstore,” Bear says, surveying the sky. “Storm’s coming and I want to keep my girls here where they’re safe.”
I love how protective Bear is of us. I always know I’m safe and loved. Whenever I feel stressed all I need is to hear Bear’s gruff voice or feel his callused hand on the back of my neck and I feel better.
“You might be right. It’s been a while since we had a storm. I think this one’s going to be big.”
“Da. Da,” Autumn whispers, reaching out for me.
“Looks like someone wants Ma Ma. Ma Ma.”
I snort as Bear lifts Autumn off his shoulders and hands her over to me. She’s getting so big. It’s crazy to think she’s just over a year old now. I give her a kiss, shoving my face into her as she laughs.
When I bring my attention back to Bear, another fluttering sensation radiates through me. There’s so much love in those big eyes. In those strong arms. He might look like a big, scary beast, but he’s nothing but kind and gentle.
If either one of us is in danger though… the beast comes out. He knows when to turn it on and when to turn it off.
“I made the list,” I say, bouncing Autumn on my hip.
Bear’s eyes flare as his jaw drops. “You made the list?”
“I made the list.”
He scoops both Autumn and me into his arms and twirls us around before setting us back down on the ground. “I told you. I told you it would happen. You’re so talented.”
I can’t help but blush as Bear continues to lay on the compliments.
Bear can be stoic with his emotions sometimes, but when it comes to me, he doesn’t hold back.
There’s never been a moment where I haven’t felt appreciated or loved.
He’s truly proud of me and that makes me feel better than making any best-sellers list ever could.
“How do you want to celebrate?” he asks.
“With you,” I say. “In bed. In front of a raging fire. On the couch and on the ground. Everywhere.”
Bear swallows hard. His pants bulge. And his hands open and close as he stares at me. “How much longer until Autumn goes to bed? An hour?”
“Three,” I whisper.
“I’ll make us some dinner then. We’re going to need all our energy for tonight.”
He leans in, kissing me only this time he doesn’t hold back. It’s deep, his tongue stroking mine urgently as I moan into his lips. If he keeps this up, it’s going to be absolute torture waiting.
When he pulls away, grabbing Autumn from my hip as he rasps, “Now get inside and rest up.”
I smile, my core heating up as Bear stares at me intensely.
“Okay,” I say, turning around.
I’ve hardly taken a step before Bear’s hand connects with my ass, a sharp sting followed by radiating tingles. My eyes flare as I glance over my shoulder at him. He really is trying to torture me. He knows what I like—his powerful hands on my body.
“Can’t help it when your ass is right there. Perfect.”
My nipples pebble as my body anticipates what’s in store for us tonight.
“Soon,” I say. “Save that for later because I want you to manhandle me, Bear. I want you to…” I pause. “You know what I like.”
He grits his teeth, a groan strangled in his throat.
Soon can’t come soon enough.
But once he finally gets his hands on me… Mmmm .
My mountain man knows his way around my body better than the mountains surrounding us. And he explores it every single day. I bet he thought he’d never love anything more than the mountains.
Until he met me.
Until we made a family.
And that love will keep growing until death do us part.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed a little taste of what the mountain men of Whispering Winds have to offer…