Epilogue

 

 

"You nervous?"

At Logan's question, my gaze shifted from the hall down which Kenzie had disappeared, back to him. My smile was genuine when I said, "Not even a little. Is that normal?"

My friend pulled up his shoulders, "I dunno, man. You're kinda beating me to the punch here."

"Yeah, I know," a laugh rumbled through my chest. I pulled my shoulders to my ears and held my palms up. "Sorry?" Yeah, I wasn't sorry one bit. When Kenzie agreed to be my wife a little over two weeks ago, I'd known making her Mrs. Carter would happen sooner rather than later.

Flynn sprinted through the living room with Dozer and Blue in tow. Once Kenzie had laid eyes on her at Chase's clinic, she'd agreed that the name I'd chosen was fitting. Luckily Blue didn't have any major damage to her leg, and, we were able to take her home a couple of days later.

I still had to pinch myself daily; it was hard to believe how drastically my life had changed in less than a month. But wasn't that how love worked? It knew no boundaries, had no regard for time. It just was.

Little Flynn's squeal of delight reached my ears, immediately I wondered how long it would be until Kenzie and I started expanding our family. I wanted little girls as gorgeous and feisty as their momma.

"You still with me, man?" Logan's snapping fingers broke through my thoughts. "Or are you already planning the wedding night?"

I laughed again—I'd done a lot of that lately—and waggled my brows, "Maybe."

He shook his head, but the smile on his lips told me my friend was pretty damn happy for me. "How goes the property search?"

Kenzie itched to do something work wise, and one day when Harper complained about needing to drive to another town just to look at wedding dresses, Kenzie got the idea to open up a bridal boutique in Willow Creek. My girl certainly had amazing business skills and seeing her use those skills was a massive turn-on.

"Yeah," I answered Logan's question and pulled my mind away from all the things about Kenzie that got my motor running. "She actually signed the lease last night."

My friend glanced at the hallway. "Well, hopefully, she opens her shop fast so my woman can get a damn dress."

As if she heard her name, Harper appeared along with Lizzy. Both of them looking mighty pleased with themselves. My pulse started ticking faster, "She ready?"

The women looked at each other, and their smiles just stretched wider. They moved as one, stepping in opposite directions to reveal what could only be described as an angel. My heart thumped faster and louder, and a ball of emotion lodged itself in my throat.

I raked my eyes greedily over the lacy white dress that ended just above Kenzie's knee and the brown leather boots on her feet. I swallowed hard as my gaze traveled back up and settled on her smiling face.

She slowly circled on the spot, and I caught a glint of something in her hair. Needing to be closer, I pushed off the couch and stalked over to her. Only when I was in front of my girl did I notice the tiny butterfly-shaped stones strategically placed in the curls tumbling over her shoulder.

I pressed my palm against my heart and let out a slow breath, "You look absolutely breathtaking."

Kenzie's smile widened and lit up my entire world, her eyes sparkled with pure happiness. She smoothed her palms over my white-button down. "So do you."

A big traditional wedding wasn't what either of us had wanted. Mrs. Jackson almost suffered a heart attack when I'd told her that Kenzie and I were planning on going down to the courthouse to let Judge McPherson marry us.

She'd given me the third degree for almost two hours straight while everyone else just sat back and enjoyed the show. Eventually, Kenzie had saved me by telling Mrs. Jackson we'd have the reception on the ranch and she had free rein to do what she wanted. At that suggestion, my girl had received a huge hug while I got the stink eye.

It warmed my heart when Kenzie had taken so easily to the people I considered family and vice versa.

"Right," Logan smacked his palms together. "Let's get you two married."

 

Kenzie

 

I stole a glance at the man sitting beside me; his fingers loosely curled around the steering wheel and this adorable goofy smile playing on his lips. In less than an hour, he was going to be my husband.

Husband.

I liked how that sounded. This day was going to be the best day of my life, I just knew it. My heart made a little dip, and I pushed the sadness away. I would have loved to have my parents there, for them to see how happy I was. I'd tried calling them a few times, but they never returned any of my calls.

I was hopeful that in time they would at the very least understand and respect my decision. I've only been in Willow Creek for two weeks, but already I felt like a new person. Not only did I have this wonderful future with Brett and Blue to look forward to, but I also had an exciting new business that I was building. I'd even managed to convince Brett to start a sculpture range that would be exclusive to Forever After.

Brett eased into a parking spot in front of the courthouse and took my hands in his, "You're sure this is fine? We could always do the whole big, fancy church thing."

I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "This is perfect."

He searched my face, and I saw all the love I felt for this man reflected in his eyes. "Better not keep the judge waiting, then." We climbed out of the truck; hand in hand we walked toward the people waiting for us.

The individuals Brett thought of as family were amazing people. They'd opened their hearts to me and welcomed me in without a second thought. Mrs. Jackson had a way about her that made me feel as if I'd been part of their circle for years, rather than a couple of weeks.

I frowned at Brett who seemed to be scanning the small group of people as though he was searching for someone. I tugged his hand. "Who are you looking for?" I asked when his eyes found mine.

For a second, my heart stood still as I saw sadness wash over his face. Then he smiled that smile of his that always melted all my worries away. "No one, Sweetheart."

We were met with cheers and happiness when we finally reached the steps of the courthouse. Like the mother hen she was, Mrs. Jackson ran her hands over Brett's shoulders and picked at invisible threads. She glanced at his pants and arched a brow.

"Really? You couldn't part with your jeans for one day?"

Over his shoulder, Brett winked at me. He'd known what her reaction was going to be when I'd asked him to wear his Levi's instead of dress pants. I didn't need him to change who he was though. And my man and dress pants were not friends. Plus, he looked all kinds of delicious in those hip-hugging jeans.

I scanned over the group that came together to celebrate our happiness and even though it filled me with so much joy, my heart still pinched. Knowing it had been short notice, I didn't expect Zoe to make it. Still, it would have been great to have someone there from my side.

About to mention that maybe we should go inside, I almost jumped out of my skin when someone hugged me from behind. I turned to find my best friend wearing the exact same expression as everyone else.

Feeling all kinds of emotional, I grabbed her and pulled her in for a fierce hug. "You came."

Zoe returned my embrace, "What? Did you really think I would miss my bestie's wedding?" She stood on her toes and whisper-shouted, "But if you'd told me that the men in this town were so damn fine, I'd have been here long ago."

"I've missed you." I declared on a laugh.

Appearing to be more eager than Brett or I, Mrs. Jackson started shuffling us toward the entrance.

"Kenzie."

My heart along with my feet stilled before the slamming against my ribs verged on being painful. My gaze immediately shot to Brett. He bent down and kissed me softly. "Turn around, Sweetheart."

Nerves and who knew what else held my feet hostage. Through the whooshing in my ears, I heard Brett tell everyone to go inside and that we'd join them shortly. Zoe patted my shoulder before she joined the others. I blinked, and my parents were standing in front of me.

Brett squeezed my hand, and when I looked at him, he said, "I'll be right there," he pointed toward the entrance.

I held onto his hand for dear life. "No, don't leave me."

"I'll never leave you," he whispered against my ear.

"You look beautiful." The pride in my mother's voice felt like a shock to the system. My brain was firing off a million questions though. Why are you here? Did you know I was getting married today? If so, who told you?

I took in the sight before me. My parents were dressed to impress. Dad decked out in an Armani suit that probably cost more than most people made in a month. Mom was wearing a sparkly dress and heels that were sure to cause blisters. But, it was the sadness in both of their eyes that hit the hardest.

In a very uncharacteristic move, my mom elbowed my dad in the ribs. He side-eyed the woman beside him, and she glared right back. My jaw almost dropped.

"I'm sorry," my father blurted out.

It might've been only two words, but they meant so much, considering it was the first time I'd ever heard them coming from the man who'd raised me.

My mom stepped forward and awkwardly reached for my free hand, once I felt the warmth of her palm against my skin, unshed tears stung my eyes. "Kenzie," she began. "We might've gone about it the wrong way, but we only ever wanted the best for you. We never intended for you not to feel loved or for you to think your happiness wasn't important." She glanced at my dad, "Isn't that right, Walter?"

He cleared his throat and stepped forward too. "Is it too late to start making amends?"

I didn't care about make-up or looking perfect as I allowed the tears to fall freely. "It's never too late," I croaked out as I wrapped my arms around both of them.

"No tears, it's a joyous occasion," my mother sniffled as she rummaged through her purse and produced a handkerchief.

While I wiped at my tears, I caught sight of my dad holding out his hand to Brett, "Thank you for calling us—" there was a slight pause before he added, "—son." He then placed his hand on my mother's back, and to me, he said, "You do look beautiful." I gaped after them as they walked into the courthouse.

Brett pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth, "You okay, Sweetheart?"

"How did you get them to talk to you let alone come down here?"

"Doesn't matter." He wrapped me up in his warm embrace. "You only need to know that there is nothing I wouldn't do for you."

I smiled into his chest. "I'm about ready for you to make an honest woman out of me."

"Then what the hell are we waiting for."