Epilogue

“I can’t thank you enough,” Sian told Matthew as they put the finishing touches to the grooming parlor. Today was the grand opening, and butterflies filled her stomach. She wasn’t sure if she was nervous or excited, or perhaps an equal measure of both. She never expected the grooming parlor to open before Christmas, yet here they were, all thanks to Matthew.

“You already have thanked me enough.” Matthew took her in his arms and kissed her mouth. Tendrils of desire unfurled in her stomach, pushing the butterflies to one side. “You have made my dreams come true.”

She ran her hands over his chest and murmured, “You know, we missed something.”

“What?” he asked as she took hold of his hand and led him to the small storage room at the back of the grooming parlor.

“I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll think of something.” Sian opened the door and slipped inside, pulling him behind her.

“I’m certain we’ll think of something.” He lifted her off her feet and set her down on a box filled with cans of cat food. “Are you sure we have time?”

“We will if we stop asking questions.” She claimed his mouth, while her hands set to work undoing his belt.

Matthew chuckled against her mouth, his hands on her thighs, pushing her skirt up as he nestled his body between her legs. Sian pushed his pants down over his butt while Matthew hooked his fingers around her panties and pulled them to one side. Like a well-rehearsed routine, he entered her, pushing slowly, deeply, filling her in one slick motion.

Her body ached for him, to have his hands roaming her naked skin, and his lips kissing her sensitive flesh. But that would have to wait for later. Right now there was an urgency in their lovemaking and she let herself get swept along with it. Matthew pulled out of her, his hips flexing as he lunged forward, filling her completely. In and out, he moved, a steady rhythm that edged her ever closer to her climax.

She bit his bottom lip, her fingers trailing down over his well-muscled shoulders as he slipped his hand under her sweater and eased her bra upward. Tweaking her nipple between his finger and thumb elicited a sharp gasp from Sian. She loved the way he made her feel alive, as if he was constantly finding a new part of her that had been asleep her whole life.

Matthew was the man she’d always wanted in her life. He was kind and generous, not only with his money but with his time. Ella and Rachel had grown fond of him and they muddled along happily together in his house. True to his word, he’d helped her to help Cracker and Sharon be together. With Mr. Wendell’s permission, he’d arranged for the boiler to be fixed and helped furnish the house, so Sharon could sleep downstairs while she recovered from her treatment. It was as if he truly got how much it meant to the elderly woman and her dog. But then perhaps it was because he knew he could not live without the people who filled his life with love and happiness.

In a way, Matthew was paying it forward.

Sian ran her hands down over his back and grabbed his butt, urging him deeper, harder. They didn’t have much time before Ronni and Lucas would return with the girls, who had been sent to the house to get the food ready for the small celebratory party being held in the grooming parlor.

Matthew put his hand on the small of her back and held her in place as he thrust into her, impaling her completely as his body tensed, and he came. His seed filled her, and she could not hold herself together any longer. Her inner muscles tensed, tightening around his hardened length. She loved the intensity of the emotions that joining with Matthew evoked in her. Each time they made love, it strengthened their bond.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Matthew asked as he kissed her neck, his breath warm across her skin.

“I think I did.” She cupped his face in her hands. “I might need to take another look later, though.”

He chuckled and kissed her. “Anytime.”

“We should get back out there.” She adjusted her clothing and Matthew bent down to pull his pants up. But before he’d buckled his belt, his body went rigid. “Someone’s coming.”

“I’ll go out and see who it is, while you straighten yourself out.” She slid down off the box of cat food, kissed his cheek and darted out of the storage room, smoothing down her hair, just as the door leading to the grooming parlor opened. “Peter.” Her voice came out high and breathless. Not because she was excited to see him, but because she was worried Matthew might appear and rip her husband’s head off his shoulders. Which is exactly what he’d do if Peter was here to spoil her opening. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to give you this.” He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her.

Sian hesitated for a moment before taking it from him. Her hand shook as she looked down at it. “This is the money you owe me from the house.”

“It is.” He nodded. “I’ve spoken to my lawyer; the divorce will be finalized in the next couple of days.”

“It will?” She couldn’t keep the suspicion from her voice.

“Yes.” He walked around the grooming parlor, running his hand over the brand-new sink and sparkling clean faucets. “So this is really what you want to do with your life?”

“Yes. It is.” She swallowed down her emotions and glanced at the door to the storage room. Matthew must be dressed by now, but he’d chosen to stay hidden and she was thankful to him for not barging out and confronting Peter.

“You changed.” His tone was almost accusing, but he looked disappointed.

“And you didn’t.”

He nodded his head sagely and she clamped her mouth shut, not wanting to say more and cause a fight. She’d gotten what she wanted. At least Peter had been man enough to do the right thing and obey the court judgment, so she didn’t have to go back and fight him again.

“I’d like to see Ella and Rachel. Sometime. If they want to see me.” He pressed his lips together and she couldn’t tell how serious he was or if he was saying the words because he should.

“They would like to visit with you, I’m sure. Maybe you could come by sometime.” She hoped Matthew wouldn’t mind her inviting her ex-husband to their house. Because that was what Peter would be very soon, her ex.

“Sometime.” He came toward her and pecked her on the cheek. “I’m leaving Bear Creek, going back to where I belong.”

“I hope you find what you are looking for, Peter.” She wanted him to be happy, she truly did. It was a relief to know he’d finally realized that his happiness lay elsewhere. “Thank you for the check. And the divorce.”

“Cash it quickly before I change my mind,” he said drily, reminding Sian of exactly why she’d left him.

Don’t worry, if it bounces, or I don’t hear from your lawyer, I’ll see you in court. That was what she thought, anyway. But she knew better than to goad him, so she settled for, “Goodbye, Peter.”

He left, and she watched him go before she opened the storeroom door. “Safe to come out?” Matthew asked.

“Safe for you or Peter?” Sian asked with a knowing smile. “Thank you for staying out of it.”

“I’m glad he took my advice and finally saw sense. I didn’t think he would.” Matthew grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him.

“Took your advice?” Sian asked, leaning back as he tried to kiss her. “You spoke to Peter?”

Matthew’s brow creased. “I never told you. He came to your house, asked me what I was doing there.”

“And why didn’t you tell me?” Sian asked.

Matthew shrugged. “It slipped my mind. And I suppose I was worried you might have been upset with him.”

“What exactly did you say to him?” Sian asked.

“That he was a fool to let you and the kids slip out of his life. That he didn’t know how lucky he was to have a wife and two wonderful daughters.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “I admit I was worried for a while that I might have talked him into giving it another go with you.”

“That was never going to happen,” Sian reassured him. “But thank you.”

“All I want in life is to make you happy.”

“Even if that meant walking away from us?” She stroked his cheek, amazed at the man Matthew had become. The man she suspected he always had been. It had taken love to give him the strength and courage to let his barriers down, and let other people in, and himself out.

“Anything for you.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “You’re not upset?”

“No. Today is a good day.” She looked down at the check in her hand. “It’s a day of new beginnings.”

“So he said he was giving you the divorce at last.”

“He did.”

Matthew let go of her hands and dropped down on one knee, while he pulled something out of his pocket. “Is it too soon to ask you to marry me?”

“Never too soon.” She held out her hand and he slipped his ring onto her finger.

“I love you more than anything in the world, Sian. Will you marry me?”

“I will.” She pulled him to his feet and hugged him close. “I love you, Matthew Lewis.”

“So I really did buy a bride.” He dropped a kiss on her head.

“I guess you did.” But he’d gotten more than a bride, he’d gotten a family. Including two naughty little kittens, which he adored. Even if he never admitted it.

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