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“So is that a yes?” Fenn asked, his eyes hopeful.
“Yes.” She pulled him to his feet, hugging him hard. “Forever and always, yes!”
They held each other close, the Northern Lights casting a magical glow around them. Kate looked up at Fenn, her eyes shining with love and a hint of mischief. “You know, I never thought I’d find a guy who could handle my stubborn streak and my penchant for attracting trouble,” she teased. “But you’ve stuck by me through it all, even when I made it pretty darn difficult.”
Fenn grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Well, what can I say? I’m a glutton for punishment.” He winked, then grew more serious. “In all honesty, Kate, you’ve made me a better man. You’ve shown me what it means to fight for what you believe in, to never back down, and to always keep a sense ofhumor, even in the toughest times. I can’t wait to see what kind of adventures we’ll have together.”
As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, Kate knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together. A journey filled with love, laughter, and the unshakable bond they’d forged through the trials and triumphs of their past. And with Fenn by her side, she knew they could face anything the future might bring—even if it meant a few more broken struts along the way.
EPILOGUE
Paige satat the dinner table in Jane and Bridger’s house, surrounded by the warmth and love of her found-family on Christmas Eve. The twinkling lights, the delighted laughter of little Kellen as he opened his secret Santa gift, and the mouthwatering aroma of cookies and pie filled the air, creating a cozy, festive atmosphere she adored.
As Kellen sat next to her, his eyes were wide with excitement, his little body vibrating with energy as he chattered about the presents he hoped to see under the tree in the morning. “Uncle Tai promised me a drone that can fly up to a thousand feet!” he exclaimed, bouncing in his seat. “And I think Uncle Mason’s getting me a robot that can do my math homework!”
Paige laughed, ruffling the boy’s hair. “I’m not sure your mom and dad will be too thrilled about that last one, buddy.”
“But it’s so cool!” Kellen insisted, his grin threatening to split his face. “I can’t wait to see Uncle Jason’s face when he sees his Mustang. Dad got the new paint color exactly right. Uncle Jay’s gonna flip. Do you think he’ll take me up for a ride?”
Paige laughed. “Try and stop him.”
Kellen beamed even harder, if such a thing was possible, and forked up a massive bite of mashed potatoes. He stopped,fork hovering near his lips. “Did you hear about Aunt Kate and Uncle Fenn? They called Dad from the Arctic. They’re getting married!”
“I did hear that,” Paige smiled, her heart warming at the thought of her two friends finally finding happiness together. “Are you excited about the wedding?”
Kellen nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! Well, except for the kissing part. Yuk.” He wrinkled his nose, and Paige had to stifle a giggle at his disgusted expression.
From across the table, Tai shook his big head, a grin spreading across his face. “Hackett and Scarborough, coupled up. Finally. Am I the only one that wondered if those two would ever get their act together?”
“Seriously.” Bridger sat at the head of the table, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “It’s only been ten years. I was beginning to have my doubts.”
Despite the swell of holiday cheer that surrounded her, Paige couldn’t shake the melancholy that lingered around the edges of her consciousness. She was thrilled for Fenn and Kate, but for her, the dread would only build…
She turned her gaze to the window, staring out at the familiar stars that blazed above the jagged ridges of the Sierra. Even with the dusting of snow in Redemption Creek, she was glad to see the last of the endless Arctic night. The landscape was too…everything. Too cold. Too barren. Too devoid of life.
She craved the noise and light and the vibrations of millions of living things around her.
Her distaste for the Arctic had nothing to do with wanting to be far away from anything to do with Cody Lassiter. A name she’d long prayed she’d never hear again from a time in her life she’d love to forget.
That was its own special form of torture.
If Lassiter was after Jason, he’d have to go through her first.
Beating Cody would require her absolute best. Her A-game.
And every dirty trick she could throw his way.
“Merry Christmas,” she muttered quietly, her fingers tightening around her mug of hot cocoa.
Whatever else her Savior’s birth brought, the Lord was certainly bringing the challenges.
She’d have to hope they weren’t more than she could handle.