Page 53 of Honoring Lena

Epilogue

Lena closedher eyes and breathed in the crisp Colorado mountain air, so different from Kentucky’s humidity. The last month since they’d gotten Carter back had been a whirl of bringing on an entirely new security detail, going over Marshall’s company with a fine-toothed comb, and assessing what their next step would be. She relished the chance to relax for the weekend away from everything.

She still couldn’t believe Ed had been key to so much that had gone on over the last two years. Through all of Paxton’s interrogations, Ed kept his lips tightly sealed, but according to Kiki’s mom, who fed Paxton information in return for a lighter sentence and protection, Ed was instrumental to the organization’s actions. Through another assistant within Congress, he had gotten advanced notice of the rescue mission where Ethan had died and had given the organization the go ahead to sabotage the mission. He’d pushed not only Amara, but other people close to lawmakers. He’d even been the one to pressure Colonel Johnson to betray his nation and best friend. Ed’s capture made Paxton hopeful they could finally make some leeway into taking down the organization, something Lena was more than willing to let Paxton’s team handle.

“Who wants to bet our man Jake here passes out when he sees Chloe step out of that cabin?” Rafe’s joke opened Lena’s eyes just in time to see him go all rigid, like he was in shock, and stumble backward.

“You speaking from experience?” Jake rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, but nothing could hide his smile under his trimmed beard.

“Yeah, kind of convenient you eloped with no one to witness your own foolish reaction to Piper.” Sosimo chuckled and pulled June closer to his side, rubbing her very large belly in the process.

“We’ll have to ask Piper to spill the beans when we’re done here.” Samantha turned to Tina, who snuggled up to Milo. “Why hadn’t we thought to make her before?”

Lena missed the girls nights the others would drag her to when she’d lived at the ranch. She wasn’t into romcoms and gushing about men, but being included, even reluctantly, had mended a part of her heart. Just like Zeke and the team had when they pulled her into their fold.

Tina shrugged. “Maybe we were too wrapped up in the romance of a beach wedding.”

“Mama, I thought we were throwing confetti, not beans.” Eva bounced in her seat next to Zeke.

“We are, squirt.” Zeke rubbed her head. “Spill the beans is an expression.”

Lena had missed this, her family of friends. They’d forced themselves in when all she had wanted was to disappear within her grief. Her eyes stung with tears, so she blinked to clear them, gazing at the tall mountains that surrounded the summer meadow Chloe and Jake had crash landed in that winter. She’d get through the wedding without crying, even if she had to wrestle her tears into submission.

“Eena, me hungry.” Carter looked up at her from her lap. “Me want beans.”

Laughter echoed through the trees and up the jagged mountainside. Then suddenly quieted as Jake froze, his gaze on the cabin. Lena turned, and a darn tear broke loose. Chloe walked with Piper and Davis on each side of her toward them. Lena had seen the simple, short dress covered with a long lace overdress that was perfect for their spunky Chloe, but watching Chloe radiate as she practically dragged Piper and Davis down the aisle overflowed Lena with a sense of blessing and love.

Marshall squeezed her hand, rubbing his thumb over the simple engagement ring he’d given her the day after they’d gotten Carter back. He had said he wasn’t waiting long and that she’d better figure out what kind of wedding she wanted fast. She peered up at him as he lifted their joined hands to his lips and softly kissed her ring.

“Soon, this will be us.” His whisper in her ear flitted butterflies in her stomach that soared to her head, making her dizzy.

Lena leaned into Marshall as she pulled Carter closer to her. She couldn’t wait to marry this man and officially be a family. She might just take a cue from Rafe and elope. She smiled as Jake stepped forward, took each of Chloe’s hands in his, and kissed them with precious reverence. Another tear escaped, but Lena didn’t care. Happiness sprung like a deep well inside her, and she wanted the world to see.

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