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I can’t help it. I kiss her soft, pouty lips again, pouring out my gratitude, love, and loyalty. I taste the same things on her tongue, both of us promising forever, right here on our mountain.
EPILOGUE
Ainsley
“And what’s this one?” I ask my seven year old daughter, Eloise.
She scrunches up her cute little nose while studying the herb I’m pointing to. “Basil?”
“Yes!” I exclaim, clapping my hands.
We’ve been teaching our daughters about different plants and herbs that grow in the front garden. Eloise loves it, but our five year old, Maggie, couldn’t care less. She’s happily playing with her favorite dinosaur figurine in the dirt, so I don’t bother her.
A cool breeze tangles in my hair, and I lift my head, enjoying the relief from the warm summer sun. It’s hard to believe it’s been eight years since I left my life behind and started on my adventure with Brewer. Each one has been filled with more love and laughter than the last.
We had a beautiful spring wedding as soon as the snow melted and the ground thawed. Shay came and was my maid of honor, and Brewer’s mysterious friend from New York City made an appearance as well.
It was a small, intimate, and perfect ceremony. No frills, just the natural beauty of the mountain. My bouquet was composed of wildflowers which coordinated with my handmade daisy chain tiara. I walked down the aisle barefoot, which made Brewer nervous at first. I promised him it wasn’t for an easy get away, it was just more comfortable and true to my new self. He was on board after that.
“What’s next?” Eloise asks, her chipper voice breaking into my reverie.
“Hmm,” I respond, tapping my chin with my finger. “How about this one?”
My daughter furrows her brow, concentrating on the shape of the leaves on the sprouts. “Par… par-less-y?”
“Parsley,” I correct, smiling down at her. “It’s a tricky word. I’ll count it,” I tell her with a wink.
Eloise beams up at me, then bends down and sniffs the parsley, sneezing when she inhales part of a leaf.
“Bless you,” Brewer says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Hi,” I say to him, leaning against his chest. “I thought you’d be in your workshop all day.”
“I really should be in there now, but I saw you and the girls out here, and needed to be here with you.” My husband kisses my temple, then dips his head down to nuzzle into the side of my neck.
“We’re always happy to have you,” I whisper back.
“Daddy! I know my plants now!” Eloise practically shouts as she runs toward her father. He takes a step away from me, bending down and scooping up his little girl.
“Is that right?”
“Yup,” she confirms, nodding her head.
“I’m so proud of you,” he praises. Eloise giggles and wraps her arms around his neck.
Maggie, not wanting to be left out, stands from her dirt pile and barrels toward me. I don’t hesitate to lean down and pick her up, dirty hands, muddy clothes, and all.
“I am here!” Maggie shouts once she’s in my arms.
“Yes, you are,” Brewer says with a chuckle, leaning forward to kiss her forehead.
“I’m pooped,” she says with a sigh as she rests her head on my shoulder.
I laugh at her word choice. “Pooped?”
“Yeah. Daddy says it.”
“Guilty as charged,” my husband concedes.
Both girls snuggle up, Eloise in her father’s arms while I cradle Maggie in mine. Looking over at Brewer, I see the love and gratitude in his eyes when they meet mine.
“I love you,” I murmur.
“I love you so much, Firefly,” Brewer whispers into the shell of my ear..
I still love his name for me, even after all these years. It’s such a sweet reminder of how instantly my mountain man became obsessed in the best way possible. He always tells me the mountain brought me to him. All I know is that his love saved me, healed me, and made me whole.
* * *
THE END
