Page 27 of Christmas With the Navy SEAL Mountain Man
She turns in my arms, looking up at me with eyes that promise forever. "Never."
"Four! Three! Two!"
"I love you, Leah Jones," I say, loud enough for her to hear over the counting, soft enough to remain private.
"One! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
As fireworks explode overhead in bursts of color and light, I lower my lips to hers, sealing our new beginning with a kiss that feels like coming home after years of wandering.
Around us, the town celebrates, music playing, people embracing, joy filling the cold night air. But in our own private world, wrapped in each other's arms beneath the exploding sky, we're forging something stronger than either of us could create alone.
A partnership. A future. A love born in winter but built to last through all seasons.
The mountain will still be there tomorrow, its solitude a respite when needed. But it's no longer my only sanctuary. No longer my hiding place.
Because I've found a new home in Leah's arms. In her heart. In the life we're beginning to build together.
And for the first time since I returned from Afghanistan, I'm not just surviving.
I'm living.
EPILOGUE
LEAH
TWO YEARS LATER
"Mrs. Wilson, your husband is staring at you again."
I look up from arranging centerpieces to find Wren grinning at me, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She nods toward the other side of the community center where Aaron leans against the wall, arms crossed over his broad chest, those blue eyes indeed fixed on me with an intensity that still makes my heart race after two years of marriage.
"Let him stare," I reply with a smile, adjusting a sprig of holly in the evergreen arrangement. "I rather enjoy the view from my end too."
Wren laughs. "Two years together and you two still look at each other like it's the first week. It's disgustingly romantic."
"Says the woman who just celebrated her first anniversary with Nash Carter, the second most reclusive man in GrizzlyRidge." I arch an eyebrow at her. "Don't think I didn't see you two sneaking off during the Thanksgiving potluck last month."
A blush colors her cheeks. "Touché. The mountain men of this town are irresistible, aren't they?"
"Absolutely." I place the final centerpiece on the table, stepping back to admire our work. The community center has been transformed for the Winter Wonderland fundraiser, now in its third year and more successful than ever. Evergreen garlands drape from the rafters, white lights twinkle throughout the space, and each table features a centerpiece of pine, holly, and red candles.
"Looks beautiful," Aaron says, materializing beside me and slipping an arm around my waist. "As does the decorator."
I lean into him, breathing in the familiar scent of pine and wood smoke that always clings to his clothes. "Smooth talker. When did that happen?"
"About the time you said 'I do.'" He presses a kiss to my temple. "The sleigh rides are all set up outside. Horses are ready to go. First families should be arriving in about twenty minutes."
"Perfect." I turn in his arms to face him. "Thank you for handling that. And for volunteering to lead the rides."
His lips quirk in that half smile that still makes my knees weak. "Well, I am on the recreation committee now. Can't exactly shirk my duties."
I laugh at the irony. Two years ago, the idea of Aaron Wilson serving on a town committee would have been unthinkable. Now my mountain man not only sits on the recreation committee, but actively helps plan community events.
Life is full of surprises.
The biggest surprise stands on the stage across the room—a full-sized carousel, its wooden horses gleaming under the lights. Not a rental this time, but a permanent fixture, lovingly restoredby Aaron himself over the past year. His gift to the town, though he'd rather die than admit the sentiment behind it.
"Stop looking at me like that," he murmurs, his voice dropping to a register that sends heat through my body. "We're in public."
