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“Ourhellions.”
“With an equal passion for hockey and science.”
I grunted, pretending to consider that. “How about nearly equal?”
“How about you kiss my ass?”
I grinned, giving her ass a mild slap. “There’s the sassy redhead who stole my heart.”
“I’m keeping it, by the way.”
“It’s all yours, babe. Now and always.”
EPILOGUE
Jolie
One yearlater
“You sure about this?”Dad grumbled, scowling as my mother adjusted his tie.
“I’ve never been surer about anything,” I replied, staring into the mirror as I thought about how my life had changed in the last year.
I looked pretty today. I didn’t know if it was the dress, the professional hair and makeup, or simply the fact that I was marrying Boone, but I had a glow that was impossible to miss. I was so happy, so in love with the man I was about to marry, most of what I saw in the mirror reflected love. Hope. The future.
“You’re beautiful,” Mom whispered, coming to stand beside me.
“Thank you.”
“The most beautiful bride ever,” Grandma G said, her eyes filling with tears of happiness as she stood on my other side.
“I hope he knows how lucky he is,” Dad grunted, watching us through the mirror.
I turned to him. “Dad, youpromised.”
He held up his hands as if surrendering. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I just mean, I want you to be happy.” He paused, blowing out a breath and staring up at the ceiling for a few seconds before focusing on me. “You’re my only daughter, my only child. When we couldn’t have any more, I vowed I would do everything in my power to make sure you had a good life. The best life. I guess, in retrospect, maybe I went a little overboard. Because I couldn’t stand the thought of you being unhappy. Or someone hurting you. I thought I could prevent that just by being in control. I was wrong, but I hope you know how much I love you.”
“I’m so happy, Daddy,” I whispered, walking over to him. “He makes me happier than I ever imagined I could be. I promise.”
He held out his arms and wrapped me in a huge hug. The same kind of hugs we’d share when I was a little girl, when he’d made me feel so safe.
We’d grown apart over the years, but somehow, now that I lived in Nashville, we’d gotten closer. We had lunch or breakfast when he was in town with the team. He made time for me when I went home to St. Louis to see Grandma G. We texted more regularly. For the first time in more than a decade, Dad and I had a relationship.
He still grumbled and complained now and then about Boone moving me “halfway across the country” to Nashville, even though it was only a six-hour drive, but he’d given his blessing when Boone had asked for my hand in marriage. I’d told him it was ridiculous and unnecessary—I was a grown woman who didn’t need my father’s permission—but Boone had insisted it was symbolically important.
To my surprise, it had gone a long way toward repairing their relationship. They talked once in a while now too, so we were making progress.
“Is everyone ready?” Sheridan stuck her head in the door. “It’s time.”
“We’re going,” Mom said, kissing me on the cheek before heading for the door.
Grandma G squeezed my arm as she passed me, giving me a wink as she disappeared after my mother.
“The girls are ready,” Sheridan stage-whispered. “Can I tell them to start?”
I nodded.
Boone and I had settled into our new life here in Nashville, but the Mavericks were still very much a part of our extended family. Sheridan, Hadley, and Sariah had drawn straws to see who would be my matron of honor because I hadn’t been able to choose, Annalise was the flower girl, and though Andy was Boone’s best man, he had Sawyer, Nash, Wes, and Lars in the wedding party. Joey was the ring bearer and Emma was also in the wedding party, so we’d somehow incorporated friends, family, and extended family into the wedding, which made us happy.
