Page 36 of Exclusive

Epilogue

5 months later

Ever since that day at the cabin, when Sutton and my mom showed up to drive mine and dad’s drunk asses home, things have been different. Wonderfully different. The “talk” stayed between my father and me only — Sutton didn’t ask, my new “lightness” all he needed to know, and I got my truth, so no need dredging it back up for my mom — but I’m sure she too has noticed changes in me.

I love freely, right out in the open, reaching to hold Sutton’s hand, or leaning in to give him a kiss, anytime and anywhere the urge strikes.

And though I can’t get through a single phone call or visit with my mom, or dad, without at least one “grandbaby hint” being dropped, I’m still not ready to even put it on my radar. I refuse to cheat myself out of “our time,” just me and Sutton, doing, going, and enjoying each other.

And do we ever enjoy each other, often, twice a day.

Today, he’s got a surprise for me, and whereas surprises used to scare the hell out of me, I’m nothing but excited to see what’s got him so excited.

“Keep ‘em closed,” he says as the truck comes to a stop. “I’ll come around and help you out.”

If she doesn’t like it, I’ll keep searching, but I really hope she does… because I love it.

“Okay, open your eyes, Sugar.”

For too many seconds, she says nothing, but then, she glances at me over her shoulder, those violet eyes I loved at first sight twinkling as bright as her smile. “It’s beautiful. Whose is it?”

“Well, since you called it beautiful, and your face is telling me you really mean it… it’s ours. Or, it will be, as soon as you approve the inside, and I call the realtor back.”

Her hands fly to her mouth, catching her gasp, then drop so she can squeal, “You bought, are buying, it? A house? When? How?”

I open my arms and up she goes, into my hold; a favorite move for both of us. “I am if you tell me you’d be happy living in it, and just as soon as you say you’d be happy living in it.” I laugh, kissing her irresistible lips. “And, with money. My money, that I worked for and invested well. I know it’s not huge, but it’s a great starter home for a young couple, a good neighborhood, and most importantly, it’s ours. Acquired on our own, no help or handouts. Wanna go look inside?”

“Yes!” She bounces against me, taking a kiss.

“Come on, Hank, let’s go check it out,” I call our dog, who jumps out of the truck and runs for the front door; answering as easily, if not better, to his “second” name.

Regardless if it’s this house, or another we find, it will be a house — soon— she had no objections or hesitation on that front. Which means, Presley and I are moving in together, step four-hundred-eighty-seven in my plan I’d started carefully laying long ago.

I’d done it. I got my girl. All of her. Happy, healed, and whole.

I can’t wait to start christening every square inch of whatever we choose… especially since her dad rides my ass non-stop about his missing grandchildren.

The End… of this chapter of our lives

---