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EPILOGUE

T he fire crackled, sending tiny tendrils of smoke into the toasty air. Sarah stretched, burrowing deeper into her husband’s arms, against a warmth she knew so well. It was where she belonged, and where she would always remain.

The past month had been a whirlwind. They’d married by special license, in a small ceremony with all the people that mattered: Bradenton and Priscilla by her side, Sophia, Clara, Emma and Hannah nearby. They wed in their Winter Wonderland, promising to never let each other go.

He placed a soft kiss on her neck. “Do you know how much I love you?”

She laughed softly. “You tell me thrice a day.”

“That’s all?” He kissed her forehead. “Clearly I have been remiss.” He kissed her cheek. “I shall endeavor to share far more.” He kissed her lips. “For my love is endless.”

“As is mine.” Under the sensual onslaught, she shivered. He kissed her again, but then drew back.

When she gave a mewl of protest, he kissed her hand. “I have a gift for you, in exchange for making me the happiest man in the entire world.”

She laughed softly. “You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world.”

“Still–” He reached behind him and retrieved a white box with a wide satin ribbon. “I plan to shower you with gifts.”

“Being with you is the most wonderful gift of all.” She took the box and placed it in her lap. She untied the ribbon, lifted the top and gasped.

The white figurine glittered like a diamond. She turned the small sculpture in her hands, bathing it in the light streaming through the window. “It’s a perfect replica of your circus clown.”

“Do you like it?”

“It’s lovely.” She placed it on the table, where it glistened in the sunlight. “It shall always remind me of that beautiful day.”

He took the box from her and placed it on the floor. “It also has a practical use.”

“Does it?” She bit her lip to stop a smile. “Do say.”

“If you’d recall, I was about to win our wager before the kiddies knocked my snowman down.”

“Actually, I recall it differently.” She thumped her chin. “I believe you were to lose the wager to Parson Brown.”

Shining eyes proved he knew the truth. “Perhaps we should make a wager now. Whoever has the best snowman wins.”

“But I don’t have a snowman,” she protested. “I didn’t even know there was a wager.”

“So you forfeit?”

She chuckled. “I am afraid I must. Dare I ask the prize?”

“The original terms were amiable.” He traced a finger down her cheek. “Since I won, I would like a kiss.”

“A kiss?” She gasped as he nuzzled the ultra-sensitive skin of her neck. “That’s all you want?”

“Perhaps not,” he murmured.

She leaned into him. “A wager is a wager.”

Their lips met. Passion swirled in their embrace, in a love that was destined to last forever…

In a true Winter Wonderland.