Epilogue Thatcher
Summer hits different in Woodhaven.
The sun rises early, the saws start humming by six, and by eight we’re sweating through our shirts and making good headway on another full order of beams.
Logging’s always busy this time of year—but this summer? Feels different.
Feels full.
Willow wasn’t sure how things would work out once Kelly came back, but I told her not to worry.
That everything would fall into place.
And it has.
My big sister’s more than happy to split secretarial duties with my wife—yeah, my wife.
We went and got hitched.
Vegas-style. Glitter champagne. A Wayne Newton impersonator with too much cologne and just the right amount of smarm.
Greyson flew us out himself in that tin can he calls a plane, and we came back Mr. and Mrs. McCrae.
No regrets. Not a one.
I never gave two shits about my bank account before. But now? I’m real damn grateful I’ve got more than a little something saved up.
Because spoiling Willow is my new favorite hobby.
Thing is, she’s not exactly hurting for money either.
That trust her father left her is no joke, and when she offered to invest in the mill, I told her to tuck that away—for herself.
For the family we’re building.
Because, yeah, we’ve talked about that too.
One or two kids, someday. Maybe more.
Whatever she wants, I’ll give it to her.
Meanwhile, she’s taken over the lunchroom and turned it into something permanent—like a real-deal mountain café.
Mill guys eat there free every day.
Customers show up for the food more than the lumber, I swear.
Even Greyson the hermit shows up once a week now, and Willow packs him care packages like he’s her weird mountain bestie.
He started bringing her little handcrafted gifts in return, and of course my wife couldn’t help herself—snapped pictures, made posts, and next thing you know the guy’s got rich city folk offering six figures for handmade furniture from a man who doesn’t even own a cell phone.
It’s a hoot. But that’s what she does.
She makes people feel seen. Valued. Important.
Hell, I’ve been living in Woodhaven my whole life, and I’m seeing this mountain through new eyes now—her eyes.
Every day I get to work beside her, then bring her home at night? That’s all I ever wanted.
And tonight? I’ve got a surprise waiting.
We’ve been renovating the house.
She still calls it a log cabin but hell, it’s a damn fortress now.
Added an enormous wraparound deck. Pool. Hot tub. Double swing big enough to curl her up in my lap every sunset.
But tonight, it’s what’s next to the swing that’s the real gift.
“Ready?” I ask as I pull the truck around back.
“Yeah, but, uh—Thatcher, I can’t see with my eyes closed,” she mutters, laughing.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” I rumble, hopping out and scooping her into my arms like always.
She lets out this little squeal-laugh, holding on tight as I carry her across the yard and set her gently in the new swing.
The sun’s just beginning to set.
Fireflies blink in the trees.
The scent of sawdust, grilled meat, and honeysuckle hangs in the air.
“Okay, Baby Girl. Open.”
Her eyes flutter open—and go wide.
“Is that a… is that a willow tree?”
I nod, chest full and tight.
“It is. And it’s for you. Just a sapling for now, but someday it’ll be tall enough to shade this whole deck.”
She doesn’t speak at first. Just stares at it, lips trembling, eyes glistening.
Then she turns back to me. “I—I have something too.”
She takes my hand.
Presses it to her stomach.
My heart stops.
“Willow…”
Her eyes fill with tears. She nods, barely able to speak.
“I wanted to wait until the appointment with the doctor tomorrow,” she whispers, voice shaking. “But I can’t. Not after this. We’re pregnant, Thatcher.”
For a second, I don’t breathe.
Then I drop to my knees in front of her, wrap my arms around her waist, and bury my face in her belly.
My eyes sting. My throat’s raw. And I don’t give a single fuck if I’m crying.
“I love you,” she whispers, her fingers threading through my hair. “I love you so much.”
“You give me everything,” I rasp, looking up at her, the woman who changed my whole damn life. “And I swear, Baby Girl—I’ll spend every breath I’ve got making sure you never forget how much you are loved.”
Because she’s mine.
And now?
So is forever.
Did you enjoy this story? Please consider leaving a review.