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“We both were, but I think we were meant to find each other.”
“I never believed love was in the cards before you came along with a big bump on your head and the inability to get your TV screen out of the seat arm.”
I feigned outrage. “It was my first time in first class.”
“You don’t say?”
I slapped his chest. “I’d scold you for not being nice, but I suppose the good and the bad is all part of our story.”
He kissed me gently. “Only in the beginning. Maybe the rest will be smooth sailing.”
“Doubtful. But you know what? I’m okay with the bumps. All the mishaps led me to you, after all.”
EPILOGUE
Addison
Across the darkenedcab of the brand-new pickup truck to which Leo had finally treated himself, I had to smile at the vision he made in his crisp white tuxedo shirt with his tie undone. His jacket had been tossed in the back seat miles ago.
Our wedding four hours ago, the second one, had been magical. Not only had my husband looked devastatingly handsome, but he’d kept his gaze locked on mine with such determined intensity while we’d recited our vows in front of our friends and family it had made me feel weak in the knees.
The mid-December rain had been falling outside the venue in Las Vegas his parents had helped us pick out for our big day, but I hadn’t cared about the weather. This was the happiest day of my life.
The reception had been a blur of faces, including my parents, who’d refrained from making any negative comments. Progress? Maybe. Maybe not. I found it mattered less now that I no longer thought of myself as plagued by bad luck. I made my own. Sometimes things turned out the way I wanted, sometimes they didn’t.
It had been six weeks since we’d last been to the cabin and reconciled, and it seemed like a lifetime ago.
Leo took my hand and kissed the inside of my palm. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking I like the look of the ring on your left hand, Mr. Chambers.”
He flashed a smile, generous with them these days. “I like the look of yours as well, Mrs. Chambers.”
Glancing out the window at the shadowed forest, I sighed. “Any chance they’re calling for snow over the next week?”
He squeezed my hand. “It’s a possibility.”
Here was hoping.
Upon arriving, Leo came around to the passenger side and scooped me into his arms to carry me to the front door. There, after fumbling with the key, he unlocked the door. “Can you get the switch on the wall next to you?”
“Yep.” Feeling around for the metal plate, I flipped the light on, anxious to see what Leo had done to the place over the last few weeks. He’d wanted the result to be a surprise, and it certainly was. Nothing could’ve prepared me for the amazing makeover I saw in front of me.
Gone were the worn wooden floors, replaced by gleaming hardwood. The kitchen had been completely upgraded, with new cabinetry, shiny new appliances, and a cute little table for two. In the corner stood a beautiful Christmas tree, complete with presents underneath it. Instead of the old furniture, there was a large leather sofa and two matching, full-sized beds against the far wall, a few inches between them.
He set me on my feet, shut the door, and put his arms around me from the back. “My therapist thought we could sleep in separate beds, but close to each other. At least we could try it.”
He’d begun trauma therapy weeks ago, and I was so incredibly proud of how committed he’d been. As a result of his work with a therapist, his nightmares had lessened. He’d been open with me about what I could do to help: never touch him to wake him and respect his need for separate sleeping arrangements. At least temporarily.
“I’d love to give it a try,” I said.
“If it works, then I figured we could do the same at home?”
There was such hope in his voice that I found myself loving him even more. “Of course we can, but no pressure. You know that, right?”
He leaned down, placing a kiss on my lips. “You tired?”
It had been an epically long day, but this was my wedding night. “Not at all. You?”
