Epilogue
“When I first saw this bridge, I was told it made wishes come true, and for the longest time I believed it. But it seems to me the old girl isn’t about wishes at all. She’s about happiness. And she’s made me plenty happy over the years. None happier than I am right now,” Charlie said as his weathered hands clutched his bride’s, who was a vision in a purple dress and a headpiece that looked like it had been stolen from a Vegas dancer. Knowing Miss Dottie, it probably had.
“Pepper Watson, are you crying?” Bec nudged her as the celebrant declared the couple standing in front of the wishing bridge, man and wife. The entire population of Sunshine had turned up for the ceremony and they all began to cheer and holler.
“No.” Pepper sniffed, cursing herself for not bringing a second packet of tissues. For someone who didn’t cry, she’d been doing a lot of it lately. At least most of them were happy tears. She glanced over to where Coop was standing. He’d slipped to the side to help keep their small godson amused until the ceremony was over.
She grinned as she watched Timothy Watson Mathews, Lord Ashford the twelfth blow a raspberry in his face.
“Well, I am.” Emmy leaned in and patted her own baby bump. “Thank goodness they finally came back here. Taking a year-long honeymoon to travel America in a RV seemed like a good idea, but I’ve missed them.”
“Me too,” said Pepper as she thought of the collection of postcards Charlie had sent from his adventures on the road. Then she turned to her sisters. “Do you think Ivy would’ve minded he got married?”
The three sisters were silent before Emmy gravely nodded. “Charlie once told me if Ivy had loved him, she would’ve married him and not let anything stop her. I think he was right about the bridge being happiness. We made her happy and that’s one tradition I want to carry on.”
“Only one?” Bec arched an eyebrow at the huge vintage gazebo Emmy had recently added to the farm’s ever growing wedding business. “You know we don’t always have to buy old things.”
“Hey, that one wasn’t on me. Pepper bought it when she and Coop went to a beer festival last month. Well, I happened to mention it would be nice if we could find one. But she’s the one who did it.”
“Okay, I’m happy to take the blame,” Pepper said as she linked her arms with her two younger sisters. As they walked, the small tattoo of a nightingale flashed on her wrist. She didn’t mean to get it, but when Coop had decided to get one to remember his brother, Pepper had suddenly decided she would too. And since both of her sisters had birds, she’d decided to keep the tradition going. “But only because it’s wedding season coming up and I know how busy we’re going to be. And speaking of which, there are a few things I want to discuss—”
“Coop,” Bec cut her off with a holler. “Come and take your woman away. She’s trying to talk business at a wedding.”
“Weddings are our business,” Pepper protested, before grinning as Coop joined them and handed a giggling Timothy back to Bec.
“Not today.” He wove his fingers through hers. “Now, I believe the rest of the bridal party is heading up to the barn. Care to join them?”
“I had something else in mind,” Pepper said as she drank in his gorgeous face. A year later and she still had to pinch herself at how much her life had changed. At how much I’ve changed.
“Oh hell yes.” He grinned as he glanced toward the farmhouse. Pepper shook her head as she reached down and slipped off the heels she’d been wearing. The ground was cool and moist beneath her bare feet.
“Not even close.” She leaned in and kissed him lightly before walking down to the overgrown track that ran alongside the creek near the wishing bridge.
“What’s going on? There’s nothing down here but an old swimming hole,” Coop said as he effortlessly followed her along the uneven track. She’d yet to see him in a situation he wasn’t comfortable. Well, apart from one time. And that’s a story I want to rewrite.
“I know.” Pepper looked over her shoulder and winked at him before darting down the trail. The hum of insects and beams of sunshine dotted her path until she finally reached the clearing. The hole was only fifty feet wide and surrounded by trees. The slight breeze sent ripples across the dark surface while lazy leaves drifted through the air before landing on the water.
She shivered as Coop caught up with her. His brow knitted together as he looked at the swimming hole and then at her.
“Pepper, you’re not seriously thinking that we should go in there. It’s the middle of a wedding. And we don’t have bathing suits—” he let out a small gasp. “You want to go skinny dipping?”
“I do. And I want you to join me.” She dropped her shoes to the ground and with a flick of her fingers she gave the belt of her wraparound dress a tug. It opened with one fluid motion and she stepped out of it.
He didn’t move as pain filled his face. “But why? Are you still mad about what happened the first time I saw you half-naked?”
“No, though for a long time I was mad that I’d put myself into a position where I needed rescuing.” She stepped toward him and loosened the belt of his trousers. “But this is about something else.”
“It is?” He croaked as her fingers undid the buttons on his shirt, one by one.
“That’s right.” She caught her breath. Some things never got old. Like seeing him naked. “First time I tried to be reckless, I was drunk on tequila and could hardly count my fingers. You have no idea how much that lack of control scared me. But this last year I’ve learned I don’t need to be scared. Look at my cute panties. I dare you to give me the same kind of look you gave me last time.”
Coop tugged the rest of his shirt off before dragging her into his arms. “You are without doubt the sexiest, most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I love you entirely. But those panties aren’t cute, they’re hot.”
“I love you too.” She returned his kiss and then wriggled out of his arms to run into the water. It was colder than she’d imagined but it didn’t stop her from submerging herself. Blood pounded in her ears as she caught her breath. Then she frowned at Coop, who was searching for something near his clothing. “Why aren’t you in here? You do realize that was part of the idea, right?”
“I do,” he said as he stood up, his smile blazing as he walked toward her. The water splashed in all directions as he ploughed toward her, muscles rippling. “But you’re not the only one with plans, Pepper Watson. And you just helped my mine.”
“What?” She stood up in the water, droplets forming on her skin as she studied his face for clues. None were forthcoming and she frowned. This was meant to be her surprise to him. Why wasn’t he acting surprised? Then he lowered himself into the water and held a small velvet box toward her.
Her hand flew to her mouth as her legs wobbled.
Was this really happening?
“I’ve been carrying this around with me for months, trying to find the right time, the right place to give it to you. It’s only fitting that you came up with the answer. Because that’s what I love best about you. That you’re smart and beautiful and you never, ever fail to surprise me. Pepper Watson, will you marry me?”
“You’re proposing to me while we’re naked? In a swimming hole?” She lowered herself down until they were nose to nose and reached out to touch his face.
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“No problem at all. I love you and yes, I’ll definitely marry you.”
“Right answer,” he said as he opened the box and slid a ring onto her finger. Then he leaned in and kissed her. His mouth was warm on hers and the last of her control disappeared. It really was the perfect day.
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