Page 36 of Mistletoed with the Mountain Man
"I'm an excellent sister who wants to make sure my brother's happy." She hands us both steaming mugs. "And from the dopey looks on your faces, I'd say mission accomplished."
"Sadie—"
"Oh, hush. I'm allowed to be excited." She raises her mug. "To Christmas magic and beautiful decorations and—" She looks pointedly at Nia and me. "—unexpected connections."
We all clink mugs, and I meet Nia's eyes over the rim of mine. She’s smiling.
This is family. This feeling right here—Sadie's meddling, Ledger's simple advice, Bear sprawled contentedly by the fire, and Nia fitting into it all like she was always meant to be here.
Standing in this cabin we decorated together, surrounded by twinkling lights and the people I love, I know that everything will work out.
Because when I look at Nia, her face flushed from the cold, eyes bright with happiness, completely at home in my sister's company, I know one thing for certain.
She’s mine, and I’m never letting her go.
Whatever it takes, wherever we need to be, we'll find a way.
EPILOGUE - NIA
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
"You okay?" Kade asks, his hand warm on the small of my back.
I'm standing in the driveway of the mountain cabin, trying to stay calm.
"Yeah, I just—" I gesture at the two-story structure before us. "This is actually happening."
"Only if you want it to." His thumb traces circles against my spine, grounding me. "We can keep looking."
But I don't want to keep looking. I wantthiscabin, with its soaring windows and wraparound decks and the mountain views.
The real estate agent—a cheerful woman named Debra who's wearing entirely too much perfume—emerges from her car with a tablet and a bright smile. "Ready to see your potential new home?"
Kade squeezes my hand and waits, eyes patient, until I nod.
"Let's do this."
The interior is even better than the photos they posted. High ceilings with natural wood accents, a rustic fireplace that dominates the great room, and windows—so many windows—that flood the space with summer sunlight.
"As you can see, the great room is perfect for entertaining," Debra says, her heels echoing on the hardwood. "And the kitchen was recently renovated with top-of-the-line appliances..."
She keeps talking, but I've stopped listening.
Because I'm already seeing it.
The enormous Douglas fir that would go right there, by those floor-to-ceiling windows. Garland wrapped around every railing of the loft above. Lights strung along the beams. Stockings hung on that reclaimed wood mantle. The scent of pine and cinnamon filling every corner.
"Angel?" Kade's voice pulls me back. He's watching me with that knowing smile.
I can't help grinning. "Just planning."
"Planning what?" Debra asks, oblivious to the heat in Kade's gaze.
"Oh, you know. Decorating."
"Nia owns a very successful holiday event planning and decoration business," Kade says, with pride. "She's transformed Deepwood Mountain and cities beyond for the holidays."
It's true. Seven months ago, I was avoiding my future and living in my aunt's spare room. Now I'm a full partner with Zoe and Troy at theChristmas Nook, we've expanded to handle holiday weddings and corporate events, and just last week we booked our biggest job yet—the mayor's daughter's wedding.
