Page 79 of Mr. July

And we did. We had so much living and loving to do.

First Epilogue

December

“I feel so grateful to spend Christmas here with you!” Chase worked overtime, securing building permits, wrestled with the insurance company. My hot-shot lawyer didn’t play games. This time, I witnessed firsthand his sexy ruthlessness at full power. We just received our permit to occupy but the upstairs still needed to be completely finished.

“I love the house even more now with all your suggestions.” We added a wrap-around deck on the third floor with a widow’s peak. We raised the house fourteen feet off the ground, on heavy pilings.

The shelter was still undergoing renovations, but all of the animals Chase and I had saved found homes shortly after the hurricane. Being featured across the state on the news didn’t hurt. A camera crew on a boat had filmed Chase and I on our way back to the old mansion. We gave candid interviews; my voice cracked a few times. Chase became a national hero for risking it all to save me. He was offered roles to host dating shows. A dating app wanted him for their marketing campaign. He turned them all down saying he had more important work to do. I didn’t know what he meant until he resigned from his firm to start his own nonprofit legal foundation. He awed me. Inspired me. He said I inspired him. We bring out the best in each other. I never thought a relationship like this could exist. But Gran said this is what she had with Pops.

Chase was now using his skills to fight for animal rights as well as help ordinary people fight the corrupt insurance and political system. People that had paid into policies for years were now having a hard time collecting their money to rebuild. Once Chase signed on to represent the locals, the companies folded like a bad hand.

A log fell in the fire as it burned, shooting sparks up the chimney. The tree Chase and I had picked out was lit and twinkled. In my hand was his favorite red that he poured for me. Daisy was fast asleep in her doggie bed by the door. I rested my head back against his chest while he lazily played with the ends of my hair.

“Do you want to open gifts tonight or tomorrow?”

“How about around midnight?”

“You’re going to be busy then.”

“Oh really?”

“Definitely.”

I turned my face to his for a Christmas Eve kiss. “I never dreamed a year ago I’d find you.”

He took the wine from my hand, placing it on the sofa table. “Daisy! Come here, girl.” Daisy’s head popped up, eager to please her master. She loved Chase as much as I did. Sometimes at night, we fight over who gets to cuddle closer to him. She trotted over to the couch, jumping right up into his lap. Chase had put a red velvet bow around her neck. “That’s adorable.”

“She wanted to look good for our guests tomorrow. Hunter is driving Bunny. What’s that, girl?” He leaned down, cocking his head to Daisy’s snout.

Before I knew what was happening, he was down on one knee in front of me, taking a diamond solitaire ring from his pocket. Tears streaked down my face.

“Ryan Hill. You drove me crazy, sued me, had me at kismet. Will you spend every day loving me as my wife? Have my children, watch them grow? Live here in this house with me as the years and seasons go by? … And when the golden years come, I will still love you just as much as I did the first night I fell in love with you.”

“When was that?”

“Is that a yes?”

I nodded, as he slipped the ring on my finger. “Remember the night we went paddle boarding on our 3rddate?”

“Second.”

“Third. Anyway, you caught me staring. You had just unhooked the boards from the roof carrier. You were so strong and confident. So sweet but sure. The sun was sinking behind you, the rays stretched, fell in your hair. I fell hard like a rock. Knew in that moment you were it for me. I was so overcome, I couldn’t speak. I wanted to shout it right then and there. I fell in love first.”

“It didn’t take me much longer. I had to be sure.”

“I know, baby.”

“And I am so sure, Chase. I love you so much. I can’t wait for a life with you, Mr. July.”

“Never again. I’m only your pin up guy.” We kissed, falling back on the couch in a whisper of hushed words and seeking hands. We came together as one, both feeling renewed in the promise we just made to one another. Afterwards, we dozed off until the sound of Daisy barking at a delivery truck made us stir.

“Relax, girl. It’s just Fed Ex.”

“Expecting any last-minute gifts?” I asked.

“I don’t think so.” He opened the door, brought in the package, and opened it. He shook his head, as he held the contents up. “Is that Hunter?”

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