Page 81 of Mr. July

I crossed the floor to my man, kissed his shoulder. “It’ll work itself out.”

His jaw was set. “He ruins everything. Ruined tonight.”

“No. He didn’t. But you might if you don’t let this go.”

“Make me forget.”

“Always. I’m your shelter in the storm just like you are mine.”

“I love you.” He shuddered kissing my fingers.

“I know. Together we can face anything, even Char and Hunter’s shotgun wedding.”

He finally smiled. “I can’t believe they did that.”

“I feel so boring and predictable compared to them.”

“Let’s get drunk then get naked in the hot tub,” he waggled his brows.

I laughed. “Merry Christmas, Chase.”

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Carmichael.”

“I’m keeping my last name.”

He sighed, “Can we negotiate that? I want you to have my name.”

“But it’s so sexist.”

“Fine. I’ll take yours.”

“You would, wouldn’t you?”

“In a nanosecond. Nothing matters except that you’re mine.”

I dropped the blanket on the floor, raced to the backdoor off the kitchen and squealed as my foot hit the icy deck. I lifted the hot tub cover off. The water burned against my cold skin, but I sank right down. Chase stripped, taking his time entering the water. “It’s snowing?!”

Flurries fell softly from the sky. “Come here,” Chase reached for me. I faced him, moved my body onto his lap as he scooted to the edge of the built-in hot tub seat. A position that he found worked well to allow my legs to kneel on either side of his hips. He lifted me up, only to sink me back down.

“Well, ho, ho, ho,” I giggled.

He nipped the side of my neck. I gripped his shoulders, head tipped up to the sky. Wade dumping me a year ago truly was the catalyst spinning me on a different course. One where he was waiting for me. Sometimes the thing that hurts you the most can lead to the greatest thing to ever happen to you.

Gran was always right. Some of it is luck, destiny, or kismet. But you’ll never get there without helping yourself along the way.

Second Epilogue

“Sailor!” She ran on her chubby legs, giggling as Daisy barked giving chase. Daisy caught up to her easily, using her mouth to grab the top of Sailor’s diaper. Both of them went tumbling down in the sand. My heart was so full it did somersaults to keep from bursting. Chase smiled. His white teeth gleaming against his deep tan as he carried his board out of the waves. I sighed at the sight of my calendar guy, now my husband. He lifted Sailor high in the air, making her fly like a kite. Her blonde hair caught the breeze. She looked so much like him. All golden skin and blonde hair. I lifted my coffee to my lips, feeling my tummy clench as Chase and I locked eyes.

“Look at what we did!” His said.

“Want to make more?” Mine replied.

“Sailor! I think it’s time to call Gran and ask her for a sleep over.”

“Have her take Daisy too.”

“Good idea. We have a lot of work to do.”

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