“Over my fucking dead body. That’s yours and where we’ll raise our babies. I’ll never take that from them or you. All I want is my princess.”
“I’m yours, Walker. I love you too. I’m sorry I doubted you even for a second.” He drops his forehead to mine, and there’s a smile on his lips.
“I’m just going to need to spend more time convincing you that I’m not going anywhere.” He turns and then pins me to the bed once again.
“I don’t think this town wants you to go anywhere either. It trapped you here.”
Walker shakes his head. “No, princess. It’s you that’s always had me.”
I believe him, and I’m never letting go.
Epilogue
WALKER
Ten years later…
“Mrs. Eliza, if you don’t stop flirting with the guests, I’m going to have to fire you.”
“He was asking for it,” the older woman says as she picks up her knitting needles and goes back to work. “Besides, this place would fall apart without me.”
“Well, you’re right about the latter part, but you’re going to give that old man a heart attack if you keep teasing him,” I say as I scan the screen in front of me.
“Is it a tease when I’ll go through with it?” When I turn my horrified expression her way, she winks at me and then shrugs.
“You’re shameless.”
“At my age, that’s the only way to be.”
Right after Natalie and I got married, we started on the repairs to the inn to help Mrs. Eliza. I realized how much I loved Bear Mountain and how I not only wanted to live here, but I wanted to contribute as well. I needed to be a part of the community and do my part to keep the magic alive. So when I approached Mrs. Eliza about buying the inn from her and taking over, she was all too eager to pass on the keys. With the one stipulation that she still gets to run the front desk.
I think she did it so she could keep up with the gossip in town, but she would never admit it. She’s gotten on in age, but she still shows up every day and likes to poke at me every chance she gets.
“Looks like we’ve got a full house this weekend.”
“The leaves are changing, which always brings a new crop of guests.” Mrs. Eliza stops knitting and nudges my arm. “Which means there’s probably going to be wedding bells when the magic starts.”
I smile at her as I push away from the desk and grab my coat. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you like having the weddings here more than the actual guests.”
“What can I say? I love cake.” This time she winks at me and I shake my head.
“I’m headed to lunch with Nat. I’ll see you in a few.”
“Take your time.” She waves me off as I get to the door. “I know you kids enjoy an afternoon delight every now and then.”
“Mrs. Eliza!” My voice is reprimanding, and she chuckles.
“Goodbye, Walker.”
I’m shaking my head as I walk out of the inn and toward the diner. Not much has changed in Bear Mountain in the last ten years other than the growing number of kids in town. Mostly due to my Natalie and her family all having babies like crazy over the last decade. But mostly because Bear Mountain is doing what it does best and making this a place we all want to be.
In the distance, I see my wife coming in the opposite direction. She’s been volunteering at the school during the week while I’m at the inn. Most of the time we’re together, but on days we’re apart, it feels like it’s been forever since I saw her. Even though it was just a couple of hours ago.
Not being able to stand the distance between us, I pick up speed, and by the time we’re close enough for me to grab her, I’m pulling her into my arms and spinning her around right in the middle of Main Street.
“I missed you too,” she teases when I press my lips to hers in three quick kisses.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go home for a few minutes?” I wiggle my eyebrows, and she hesitates.
“The painters are still there.” She bites her bottom lip like she’s just as disappointed as I am. “How about we go back to the inn and visit the honeymoon suite?”
“Mrs. Eliza will see us,” I sigh, knowing I don’t really care, but she won’t let me live it down.
“We can sneak around back.” Natalie’s hands move up my chest and around the back of my neck.
I’m growling low because I know that look in her eyes. It’s been a hot second since we had some alone time since our youngest has gotten in the habit of crawling into bed with us at night.