Page 75 of Love on the Mountain

EPILOGUE

BLAKELY

“Sasha! Grace! Alice!” I call from the back porch.

Our three girls are helping their father out in the garden. They turn to me, and I can’t help but laugh when I see them covered in dirt.

A few seconds later, Cassian pops up from behind one of the above-ground planters, a bright smile on his face. He loves spending the afternoon with his daughters, especially when he can teach them about gardening and growing food.

Bless his heart, Cassian tried to show me how to be a gardener. Unfortunately, I have whatever the opposite of a green thumb is. I felt stupid at first, but my man was right there, reminding me that I don’t have to be good at everything to be worthy of love. It’s one of many lessons he’s taught me over the last decade together.

I’m happy our girls take after their father when it comes to gardening and farming. I’m more than happy to be the designated chef as long as I don’t have to get my hands in the dirt and mud. It’s worked out perfectly so far.

“Come on inside and get cleaned up for dinner,” I tell them.

Sasha, our oldest, gets up right away, eager to obey. Grace, our middle child, follows suit, while our three-year-old, Alice, sighs dramatically.

Cassian chuckles as he comes around to the other side of the garden bed and scoops Alice up in his arms. “But, Daddy,” she whines. “I was making a mud castle!”

"And I'm sure it'll still be there after we eat," he responds easily.

Cassian is so good with our girls. He's sweet and gentle while being firm when it comes to their safety. He sets Alice down once he gets to the porch, telling her to follow her sisters and get cleaned up before he turns his attention to me.

God, even after all these years, my husband still takes my breath away sometimes with how handsome he is. Even more so now that he has some salt and pepper hair at his temples and in his beard.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks, wrapping his arms around me.

I curl into his chest, letting him hold me. “That I love my family. I love the life we’ve built.”

“Me too, love. Our family, our home, our friends. All of it is perfect. I’m so proud of all the work you’ve done and the person you’re growing into.”

I sigh contentedly, nuzzling into the side of his neck. “I’m proud of the workwe’vedone,” I say, correcting him slightly. “We did this together. Thank you for saving me all those years ago so I could experience this moment with you.”

“Sweetheart,” Cassian breathes. “Don’t you know? You’re the one who saved me.”

I let his words sink in, falling even more in love with him. I smile, settling on, “We saved each other.”

My husband nods, then takes my lips in a slow, drugging kiss.

“I’m hungry!” Alice says from inside the cabin.

Cassian and I break apart, laughing at our bossy child. Sasha and Grace have always been on the quiet side, but when Alice came into our family, she brought all the sass with her. I love each of my girls, and I can’t wait to see who they grow up to be.

“I suppose that’s our cue to go in and feed the goblins,” Cassian says.

I grin at him, taking his hand and tugging him inside. I never thought I’d have the kind of love and acceptance I’ve found with Cassian, and I know we have a lifetime of memories to make as a family.

THE END