Epilogue One
Hunter
The snowball lands against my back, cold and unforgiving. I spin around as it melts against my skin, turning into mushy rivulets that run down my bare back. I’ve been outside chopping firewood while Holly plays in the snow with the boys.
“You’re going to regret that,” I tell my girlfriend, who is giggling. She looks so happy ever since she finished filming the movie and came to live with me here in my cabin.
We’re in that weird time of year, between Christmas and New Year’s Day, where nothing feels quite real. It’s a lost week, a week when you can hide from the world without anyone noticing.
She giggles and darts behind a tree. My boys, who have become increasingly loyal to her, dart between the two of us. They plant themselves firmly in front of the tree, the pack growling loudly at me.
“Great, you’ve turned them against me,” I mutter.
“I can’t help it that they like me better,” she teases, sticking out her tongue.
I quickly roll a snowball of my own. I lob it toward the left side of the tree with ease.
My plan works as intended. The boys go after the snowball. She shrieks and runs to the right, which allows me to grab her in one quick motion. I spin her around, pinning her between the tree and my hard body.
She grins up at me, eyes sparkling. Affection and joy are written in every line of her face. “What are you going to do with me now?”
I start to say something saucy, then I notice her slight shiver and the blue tinge to her face. We’ve been out here for a while, and I didn’t even consider the fact that she’s still not used to these conditions.
“I’m going to take you inside and warm you up, little elf,” I tell her.
Then without waiting for her response, I pick her up and sling her over my shoulder. I carry her into my cabin. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to add her name to the deed. I’m just waiting for the Courage County municipal office to reopen after the holidays.
Inside the cabin, I peel her wet clothes from her body, and we share a warm shower. It’s more about caring for her than it is seeing her naked, although we do share a few passionate kisses.
By the time I help her out, the water has gone cold. But her skin is pink again, no longer mottled from the cold. She yawns, and my heart twists. I had no idea until I was on that movie set just how long filming days are or how physically grueling some roles can be.
She still hasn’t fully recovered yet. She told me it can take her two or three weeks between movies to start getting her energy back. I fake a yawn of my own, and she looks pleased.
“Nap with me?” I ask.
She nods and follows me into the bedroom. I help her settle beneath the covers, then join her in the bed, pulling her into my arms.
Her head goes against my shoulder, and she burrows deep into my side. It’s only a matter of minutes until she’s snoring lightly. I listen to her, not really tired myself, but I use the time to plot scenes for my upcoming book.
The best part of being a writer is that I can technically do my work anywhere, since so much of it is mental.
When she’s been asleep for over an hour, I finally slip from the bed. I head into the kitchen, going through the living room where the boys are all relaxing lazily in front of the fireplace.
“Yeah, take it easy, you little turncoats,” I mutter when I see the group.
Donny looks up and cocks his head, as if asking me a question.
I sigh, understanding his counterargument perfectly. “Of course, you’re right. She is softer than me and gives the best snuggles.”
After giving him a scratch, I head into the kitchen to start on my plan. The boys follow as soon as they smell the sausage cooking. I toss them a few bites of unflavored lean meat, which they quickly devour.
Once the pizza is in the oven, I grab my laptop and settle at the kitchen island. I’m trying to write chapter four, but I keep pausing to turn the light on in the stove and see if the pizza is cooking. Finally, I give up on writing and pace in front of the appliance.
My heart is pounding so hard that I think I might be dying. I check my blood sugar, but it’s stable, which means I’m not close to dying. This is just nerves.
I’ve been wanting to do this ever since the moment I met Holly. Then the perfect way to propose came to me.
When the timer dings, I pull the pizza out of the oven, staring down at where I’ve arranged the pepperonis to spell out one simple request: Marry Me.
One of the dogs makes a slight whimper, and I nod. “I agree. You guys are totally right. Tell you what, we’re going to eat the evidence before she can see it.”
My palms are so sweaty, and the ring box in my pocket feels like it weighs a hundred pounds. I’ve never wanted anything more than for Holly to say yes to me. Yes to building a life together, yes to starting a family, yes to spending the rest of her days in this cabin right here with me.
“Oh, you made pizza,” Holly says excitedly from the doorway.
She’s blinking awake, and suddenly, I freeze. There’s no more time left. I can’t eat the evidence. But maybe if I nudge it with a spatula, she won’t be able to see my original plan. She deserves so much more than something lame like this. She deserves roses and an over-the-top gesture.
Before I can destroy the evidence, Holly crosses the room and stares down at the pizza. Her eyes tear up, and this is when I know that my proposal is the worst one in history.
It’s probably going to end up on the internet. I’ll be famous as that guy who was too much of a chicken shit to propose the proper way. No, I won’t let that happen. This day will be memorable for her. I just have to say the words.
With every bit of courage I can muster, I drop to one knee and pull the ring out of my pocket.
“Holly, you’ve made me the happiest mountain man on earth. When you stumbled into my life, you filled it with warmth, happiness, and love. I want to build a life with you and raise a family together. You are my perfect Christmas gift, and I love you. Will you marry me?”
She drops to her knees beside me, her gaze still filled with tears. She throws her arms around my neck. “Yes! Yes, I love you so much!”
My lips find hers, kissing her with all the passion and nervous energy that’s built up all day. I can’t believe this beautiful woman just promised to be mine. Can’t believe I’m going to get to call her wife and growl at anyone who comes too near her for the rest of time.
She beams at me. “This was the perfect proposal. You know why?”
“Why?” I ask, my nerves fading now that I know she didn’t hate it.
“Because you’ve stolen a piece of my heart,” she says then bursts into giggles.
I chuckle, so happy I could burst. This woman is perfect for me, and we spend the rest of the day celebrating our new engagement on every flat surface in the cabin. It’s the perfect way to start our forever.