Epilogue

GRACE CHAMBERS

SIX MONTHS LATER

My hand smooths down the front of my gown as I try to capture the butterflies that have occupied my stomach.

The dress is simple. With a sweetheart neckline, the material molds to the curves of my waist and thighs before flaring near my knees to open up into a full train.

With deep breaths, I reach up to finger the lace of my veil.

It’s my wedding day.

I never in a million years thought this day would come, but nothing in my life has gone according to plan since meeting Jameson.

My eyes wander around Jameson’s guest room, my makeshift dressing room.

We decided on a small ceremony in the backyard.

Only about twenty guests and the reverend will be in attendance, with Eric Mendoza acting as Jameson’s best man and Stephania, my maid of honor.

Speaking of Stephania, where the hell is she?

She’s supposed to be getting me a glass of ice water.

My nerves have left my mouth dry and parched.

Before I can wonder any longer, the door creaks open and reveals a very flushed Stephania.

Catching my eye in the full-length mirror, she pastes on a sunny smile and walks over to me with a glass of water.

“Here you are, my dear.”

As I turn and take the glass from her, my eyes roam over her closely.

Her pale skin is tinted red around her cheeks and neck. And she’s breathing heavily.

“Are you okay?” I ask taking a sip. The chilled liquid runs down my throat, cooling me from the inside out. The sensation is a welcome relief.

Stephania begins fussing over my hair.

That’s when I see it. A red mark.

She has a hickey!

From the way she’s acting, I can tell she doesn’t even know.

“Are your lips swollen? Why are you out of breath, Steph?” I ask playing it cool.

“What? No. I’m fine.”

“Maybe you’re having an allergic reaction to some of the flowers,” I say, restraining peals of laughter.

“Maybe,” she offers offhandedly, fingering the material of my veil.

My suspicions won’t rest.

“Did you happen to run into Mendoza while you were out there?” I ask watching for a reaction.

Her face grows even redder before she clears her throat, confirming my speculations.

“I’m not sure.” Liar! “But enough about me, Grace.”

Taking the glass from my hand, she steps back to assess me with pure mirth dancing in her eyes.

“You look absolutely stunning. I can’t believe you’re getting married!” she gushes and I see the moisture gathered in her eyes.

Keeping my own tears in check, I grin at her. “I know, I can’t believe it either!”

I’d been totally floored by Jameson’s proposal last month. Stating he didn’t want a long engagement, we’d planned a small wedding with only our closest friends and family in mind.

Because I loved his property so much, we’d agreed to exchange our vows here.

I’ve never been this happy in my life.

Jameson had effectively overturned every previous notion that I’d held about love.

There were no words to describe the way his love transformed me from the inside out.

I wake up every day knowing that he’ll cater to my every whim while pushing me to be better than I was the day before.

And it goes both ways.

There’s absolutely nothing that I won’t do to make him happy. He’s easy to love and I plan to spend the rest of my days doing just that.

Picking up a bouquet of beautiful flowers, Stephania offers it to me.

“Let’s get you married.”

* * *

The ceremony is everything I thought it would be.

At the first sight of Jameson standing under the arbor, I burst into tears.

I gather myself together and make it through the nuptials before placing the chrome wedding band on my husband’s ring finger.

My husband.

Oh, my God.

Now, in the back of the limo, my head rests on Jameson’s shoulder as we journey to the airport.

His fingers caress my hand lovingly, lulling me to sleep unknowingly.

“Grace, wake up. I have something to show you, sweetheart.”

I feel the limo coming to a stop and look out of the window to see a large plantation-style home set on several acres of land.

Definitely not the airport.

“Where are we?” I ask, pressing my nose against the tinted glass of the limousine.

“Come see,” Jameson says offering his hand to assist me out of the car.

My feet are planted on a horseshoe driveway, I turn in a complete circle surveying the property.

It’s breathtaking.

And peaceful. I feel an immediate sense of calm when I inhale the rural air.

Jameson looks nervous before speaking.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s gorgeous,” I say without hesitation. “But whose house is this?”

“Ours.”

My jaw hits the pavement beneath us and I turn to Jameson so quickly, I almost lose my footing.

Catching me, Jameson’s eyes bore into me, mirroring the love I know is visible in my own eyes.

“You’re kidding.”

“I want a fresh start with you. Here we will build our lives together. Raise our children and love each other until our last breaths. What do you say?”

“I say yes! Oh my fucking God!”

Enveloped in his strong embrace, unconditional love sweeps over me as I’m comforted by the thought that I will always be his and he will always be mine.