Epilogue
The annual New Year’s gala held at the Deer Creek Lodge was in full swing.
An hour before midnight, Cole pulled on his boots and grabbed a shovel.
At the lodge’s entrance, the white twinkle lights wrapped around the log posts blinked on and off under a dusting of snow.
Cole made several passes, keeping the sidewalks cleared to keep their guests safe.
He sprinkled a layer of salt and headed back inside.
Not thrilled to join the party, he took his time and checked the front desk for messages.
He finger-combed his hair and took the elevator to the ballroom.
The New Year’s gala sold out every year.
People from neighboring communities as far as Duluth bought tickets a year in advance.
Cole spotted his brother Garrett leaning against the bar and headed toward him.
The crystal chandeliers created a kaleidoscope effect as they shimmered against the sea of sequined ball gowns.
Cole greeted the bartender. “Hey, Scotty. A bourbon, please.”
Owen had purchased several bottles of his favorite bourbon to share with friends and family tonight, and Scotty kept them tucked safely behind the bar.
Glancing at Owen on the dance floor, Garrett clinked glasses with Cole after Scotty slid his drink to him. “It’s great having a multi-millionaire as a friend.”
“Sure is. Cheers.”
“They look happy.” Cole nodded toward Owen, dipping his wife as she laughed.
“They do. Owen’s a great guy. Maggie is perfect for him.”
Maggie, like a sister to all the Reid boys, shared Cole’s love for art.
Maggie was just as comfortable in formal wear as she was wearing coveralls and sporting a welding helmet.
Their families had always been close. In comfortable silence, the brothers surveyed the room, watching the happy and excited couples as midnight approached.
“Our brother is equally lucky. Kate’s good for him. I hope Nick proposes soon and makes her our sister,” Garrett said.
“You and me both,” Cole agreed and nodded toward Paige and Ethan, love radiating from them. “I’m feeling left out. How about you?”
Garrett laughed. “It seems like our friends have found extraordinary love. It makes you wonder what’s wrong with us.”
Cole wondered the same thing. For once, he’d like to experience an instant attraction to someone and have what his friends had.
There was some activity on the dance floor, and Garrett’s brow quirked in question. “What’s going on?”
“Watch and see,” Cole said with a knowing smirk. He set his drink on the bar.
Abe Turner, grandfather of Paige Turner-Reynolds, was walking toward Elsie Andrews with a microphone in hand. He spoke into the mic. “Can I have everyone’s attention?” He cleared his throat.
The music stopped, and the crowd grew quiet. Elsie’s eyes went wide. Abe continued, “Sorry to interrupt your evening, everyone. My name is Abe Turner. I’ll make this short.” He handed the mic to Emma, and he clasped hands with Elsie.
Emma held the mic out.
“My dear Elsie,” Abe said. “We’ve been friends a long time—even made a pact once to marry if we didn’t find love.
” He chuckled. “But we found our mates, didn’t we?
Unfortunately, we loved and lost them. But after all this time, we’ve found love again.
And, because life is too short . . .” He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a large diamond cluster on a platinum band.
“Elsie, I love you.” Abe swallowed the lump in his throat and gazed at his lifelong friend.
“Will you make this old man the happiest man alive and marry me?”
With tears in her eyes, Elsie replied, “Yes, I’ll marry you, Lincoln Abraham Turner. I love you too.” She threw her arms around him, and they kissed.
Cole and Garrett whistled and raised their glasses to the happy couple.
“I don’t know about you, Cole, but I’m finding the love in this room stifling,” Garrett said, and threw his drink back.
Cole sipped the expensive liquor. “Why don’t you have a date tonight?” He asked his brother.
“I’m keeping my options open,” Garrett said with a grin.
Cole gestured to the dance floor. “Looks like Miss Lily Chen can’t keep her eyes off you.”
“Hmm . . . maybe I’ll ask her to dance.” Garrett slapped his brother on the back, a smirk on his face.
Cole watched his older brother charm Lily onto the dance floor, pulling her close. If only he had that effect on women. Leaving the empty crystal glass on the bar and placing cash in the tip jar, he looked toward the entrance. Maybe he’d leave early.
Ruth joined Emma and Linnie while Jim congratulated Abe and Elsie. “My heart aches for Cole,” she said. “He looks so sad.”
Emma placed a hand on Ruth’s arm. “I know you worry, but he’ll be fine.”
“You think so?” Ruth said hopefully as she watched him at the edge of the dance floor, eyeing the door, looking like he was ready to bolt.
Rosie joined them with a champagne flute in hand. “Okay, ladies, who’s next?”
Elsie, all smiles, joined them and piped up. “Cole. It’s time he finds his one and only.”
Ruth placed a hand to her heart, and Emma smiled and said, “A wonderful choice.”
Rosie held up her drink and they clinked glasses. “Excellent! I think we have a lot to toast tonight.”
“Yes. To Paige and Ethan for a long, happy marriage,” Linnie said, and raised her glass.
“To new love,” Ruth said, and nodded toward Nick and Kate snuggled close on the dance floor.
“To the new year and new beginnings,” Emma said, winking at her twin sister Elsie.
“Cheers!” they all exclaimed.
“Excuse me a minute, ladies,” Emma said.
Before Cole could leave the ballroom and avoid the expected kiss at midnight, he was joined by Emma Nelson, his former art teacher.
“My my. Don’t you look handsome tonight,” she said.
Cole pasted on a smile. “Thank you, but not as stunning as you.”
Emma reached up and enveloped him in a hug. “Be still my heart. With charm like that, you should stick around.” She lowered her voice to a near whisper. “You never know what could happen when the clock strikes twelve. Keep this old woman company and ring in the new year with me.”
Cole eyed her suspiciously. He wasn’t oblivious of the matchmakers in this town. But he’d humor Emma. What could it hurt? He smiled. “I’d be honored to.”
Emma turned her attention to the woman making her way through the crowd, and smiled. She came.
At least twenty waiters circulated with champagne flutes. With only ten minutes until midnight, the room buzzed with excited chatter, waiting for the new year to start.
Cole reached for two glasses of champagne as a woman in a floor-length silver gown caught his eye, striding toward them.
Her thick, wavy auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders.
He couldn’t help his roving eyes—the slit in her dress, her feet in silver heels that accentuated her slim, athletic legs. She moved with grace and confidence.
Absently, he handed both glasses to Emma.
The mysterious woman closed the gap between them.
“Five! . . . Four! . . . Three! . . .” The shouts were deafening around him, yet his brain didn’t engage until she stepped right up to him and entwined her arms around his neck. He was at her mercy, in a trance.
“Two! . . . One!” Shouts rang out around them.
“Happy New Year!!”
The beauty smiled and said, “Happy New Year.” Her blue eyes searched his for a split second before her lips connected with his.
Desire flooded his system. He drew this complete stranger close, his hands on her hips, but as fast as the kiss started, it ended.
With one last look, she bolted from the room.
What was wrong with him? He couldn’t move. “Wait!” he called. “I don’t even know your name!”
She was gone, swallowed up into the crowd.
“Hey, man! You took my advice.” Garrett slapped him on the back.
Cole ran a hand along his jaw. What the hell just happened?
THE END
Read Book 5 ~ Forever Treasured