Page 52

EPILOGUE

AMBER

I’m back in the closet, but now I have one whole side for my things. Yes, in the last week Ford has cleared out his dresser and one side of the closet for me. And he took me shopping for work clothes. He says I have to get used to him spoiling me and that he won’t apologize for it.

Since I needed work clothes, I didn’t argue.

I now have a plethora of black and white pants and shirts I can mix and match for work. Even though my husband is apparently the silent owner, I’ll still happily follow the dress code.

He did get me a pretty great schedule, though. I’ll work only three days a week, leaving me plenty of time to spend with him and Nella.

I glance in the mirror checking my outfit one last time. A white bodysuit tucked into black pleated trousers with black wedge boots. My hair is down and curled in loose waves, and my makeup is simple—a little concealer under my eyes, and winged eyeliner.

Ford likes my freckles, so I didn’t want to cover them up with foundation. Plus, I like my freckles too, and I want to show Nella it’s okay to embrace them.

I’m about to head downstairs when my phone vibrates from my trouser pocket. I take it out, shocked to see an incoming call from the last person I expect.

My mother.

“Hello? Mom?” I answer, feeling unsure since she hasn’t spoken to me in a year.

“Amber!” Mom says. “I saw the good news!”

My eyebrows draw together, unsure what she’s talking about. She didn’t consider my pregnancy good news, so what would she consider good news?

“You did it. I’m so proud. You married a rich man, just like I always taught you. Now we can live the life we deserve.”

I scoff. “We?”

“I know you’ll take care of your own mother.” She laughs, and it grates on my nerves. Her laugh has the opposite effect of Ford’s joyfully warm chuckle.

“Goodbye, Mom,” I tell her, hanging up the phone and setting her on “Do Not Disturb.” She doesn’t want me and Nella—she wants money. And I won’t have her bringing us down.

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I silence all thoughts of her. I won’t let her bring me down. Not anymore.

Grabbing a lint roller, I carefully head downstairs, not knowing exactly what I’ll find. When I’m at the bottom of the steps, to my surprise, and delight, Nella is in her bouncy chair and Rose—the rescue puppy Ford was photographed with during the Eagles’ calendar shoot—is licking her face.

Farrah gasps and rushes over, gently scolding the adorable puppy. “No, no, Rose! We do not lick the baby.” She arrived two nights ago, ready for her new role as part time nanny .

“Good luck with that.” I laugh, and she turns to glare at me.

Nella is grinning at the puppy and making grabby hands.

Farrah blows out a breath, causing her long dark hair to fly around her face. “I think the puppy is going to be more difficult than the baby.”

I grimace. “Probably. Sorry about that.”

I ducked out first thing this morning to finish up paperwork on Rose’s adoption, right after Ford left for an early morning practice. He’ll be back any minute, and I cannot wait to surprise him, for once.

Did I use the last measly bit of my savings to purchase the fluffy little dog? Yes. But thankfully, I’m married to a professional hockey player, and I don’t really need that savings account anymore.

And it’ll be worth it to see the look on Ford’s face.

The rumble of the garage door makes Farrah and I jump. “He’s here!” I half whisper, half yell.

She widens her eyes. “What should we do?”

“I don’t know!” I shake my hands around. “Act natural.”

Farrah scurries to the kitchen, grabbing the bag of flour and acting like she’s about to start a fresh batch of bread.

I nod approvingly.

The door of the mudroom opens, and my husband walks inside. He sees me decked out for my first day on the job and whistles. “Wow, Ambs. You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I say, my voice breathless. I look around, searching for Rose, and I don’t see her anywhere.

Looking to Farrah, I widen my eyes, silently asking where the puppy went. She widens her eyes right back, as if saying I don’t know .

My eyes drift back to Ford, then I hear the tapping of a puppy’s claws against the tile floors. Ford looks down just in time for Rose to appear in front of him. She looks up and whimpers, like she knows this is her dad and wants him to give her pets.

Ford drops down to his knees and picks up the tiny dog—who won’t be so tiny in a few months. He buries his face in her furry neck and the sight brings back memories of him with Moose.

I swallow, and my eyes prickle with tears.

Ford sniffs, standing up with the puppy still in his arms. A tear streams down his face. “Does this belong to us?” he asks, his voice cracking.

I walk across the kitchen and into the mud room, wrapping my arms around them both. “She’s ours. Her name is Rose.”

Farrah sniffles from the kitchen, and I know she’s crying too.

“She’s so cute. Is this the puppy from the photo shoot?” he asks, wiping his face on his shoulder.

I nod.

“She reminded me so much of Moose when I saw her then. I love that Nella will get to grow up with a dog like I did.”

“Me too. She already loves her.”

Ford leans in and kisses me, then strides right over to Nella’s bouncy seat. He sets Rose down, and she immediately licks Nella’s face, making her giggle. Ford’s laughter erupts, filling the whole house with his deep, thunderous chuckle.

“Don’t encourage the licking!” Farrah yells from the kitchen.

Rose turns and licks my dress pants, jumping up and covering the bottom of my black pants with fur. It’s okay—that’s what the lint roller is for.

Ford picks her up, allowing Rose to lick his nose. “Don’t ruin Mommy’s fancy outfit before her first day of work.”

The puppy licks him again. He sets her down and settles his hands on my waist. “You look amazing. Are you ready for your first day?”

“Honestly? I’m so excited. It’s been too long since I activated my creative brain. And my schedule is full since Andie, Noel, and Mel all made appointments.”

“You’ll probably be employee of the month in no time.” He raises his eyebrows.

I roll my eyes. “I’ll probably get employee of the month every month, seeing as I’m sleeping with the boss.”

He laughs, and Farrah groans from the kitchen. “Gross, I can hear you guys!”

Glancing at her, I see she actually is starting a batch of bread. I shake my head.

Ford glances at Nella and Rose, then back at me. His expression is soft, and maybe a little somber.

I step into him and wrap my arms around his neck. He wastes no time circling his arms around my waist and hugging me tightly. His mouth brushes against my neck, and he hums contentedly.

“You okay?” I ask, leaning back to look at him. Taking advantage of his nearness, I stare into his warm brown eyes—the same eyes that brought me comfort when I was a girl. I’m a woman now, and they still bring me comfort, as well as love and protection.

“Never been better,” he responds, closing the distance between us and kissing me softly, tenderly, endlessly.