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I can’t stop smiling when I see how happy Casey is. Today’s the official opening of her art studio, and everyone we know and love is here to celebrate this iconic moment with us.

After Casey and I got together, I started a gardening business. It’s been so successful that I bought us a cabin in the mountains with enough room in the backyard to build an art studio, just as she had been dreaming about for years.

Now she has her own space not only to paint and draw but also to showcase and sell her artwork. The studio has a fantastic view of the mountains and the forest.

“Congratulations, Casey. I always loved discovering your latest paintings at the diner. It’s awesome that you now have your own art studio,” Rosie says.

She’s a waitress at Hiker’s Haven, married to a movie star. A few months ago, Casey revealed to me that Rosie and her husband are the ones who used to keep her up at night with their loud sex sessions at Falcon’s rental property.

“I agree. Well done, Austin. I love the woodwork,” Grizz says. “And the landscaping outside.”

He runs the local wildlife retreat center and has hired me to keep his backyard under control. He’s too busy with his wife, four kids, and work to do it himself.

“Thanks, man. The things we do for love, right?”

He nods and gives his wife a loving look. “Absolutely.”

Sloane and Benson, the siblings who run the local bar, join in by congratulating us, followed by Bear and Quinn, who also live on this mountain. After moving here, we’ve seen a lot of each other. We all keep each other updated on weather conditions and storm warnings and help out whenever and wherever we can.

Mrs. Jenkins appears in the doorway, and I wave her over.

“Thank you for stopping by,” I say.

“Of course. I didn’t want to miss this. I’m happy you took my advice, young man.”

I frown. “Advice?”

“You know, last year? When I told you not to be afraid to follow your heart?”

I smile at her. “You’re right. Thank you for that, Mrs. Jenkins.”

She laughs. “Please, call me Julie. I always feel so old when you call me Mrs. Jenkins. I’m only eighty, you know.”

“Duly noted, Julie. Do you want something to drink?”

“I’ll show you where the drinks are,” Benson says, leading the old lady to the makeshift bar I set up in the corner.

Casey kisses me, and I blink away a tear. “Thank you, Austin. For everything. You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world. Since meeting you, there hasn’t been a day when I’m not grateful for the joy and love you’ve brought into my life.”

“Oh, Casey, you make me happy too. The happiest I’ve ever been.”

Quinn comes up to us and whisks Casey away as she wants to buy one of her paintings.

Falcon hands me a beer. “I gotta give it to you, buddy, you’ve done well for yourself.”

“Thanks. I’m extremely happy. This is where I’m going to grow old. Together with my wife and hopefully a handful of kids,” I say.

He nods, a mixture of longing and sadness in his eyes. “Yeah, that must be so fulfilling.”

I bump my shoulder against his. “Hey, you’re going to find love too. Trust me. And if you’re having trouble, you should talk to Mrs. Jenkins. The woman may be old, but she has great love advice.”

He chuckles. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Casey waves me over with a big smile on her face.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell Falcon. “My wife needs me.”

“Sure thing, buddy.”

I walk over to Casey and wrap her in my arms.

“Quinn bought one of my paintings and ordered a second one. The first sale in my art studio,” she says excitedly. “Can you believe it?”

“I can because you’re the best.”

She rests her head on my shoulder. “And I’m leading the best life with the best husband I could’ve ever dreamed up. I love you, Austin.”

“I love you too, Casey,” I say right before I kiss her again.

Read Falcon’s next story in Falcon, book one of The Kingsley Brothers of Bearclaw Ridge, a steamy mountain man romance series where each of the Kingsley brothers finds his HEA in the small town of Bearclaw Ridge!