Page 44 of Penalties and Proposals

CHAPTER 18

EPILOGUE - WILLA

10 MONTHS LATER

The gentle rustlingof leaves in the trees brings a sense of peace so profound that I worry I might fall asleep right here. The air is warm with the lingering heat of August, but there’s a hint of coolness, a whisper of the coming autumn.

From the moment we arrived in Maple Falls, life has been a whirlwind of activity, yet somehow, time feels like it’s standing still. The golden light of the late summer evening casts a soft glow over everything, and the scent of pine mingles with the sweetness of wildflowers. It’s been exactly what I needed.

What we both needed.

Life since I met, or rather re-met, Noah Beaumont is certainly interesting. A super silly grin makes its way across my face as he pops into my thoughts, again. I sit up from my hiding spot in the trees, brushing off the twigs and leaves clinging to my jeans as I emerge from beneath the sprawling bush where I’ve been crouched. That elusive Blue Rock Thrush is still on my bucket list of photos to capture. With our return to Maple Falls for the skills and training camp, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to try again.

Closing my eyes, I smell the air. Is it weird to think that Maple Falls has a scent? This place is magical, and it’s burroweda special place in my heart. When I’m here, it feels as if the days are languid and relaxed, lacking stress that daily routines can bring. Being in the Pacific Northwest, there’s a coolness to the air I like––I’m managing to find excuses to wear my long sleeve shirts. Outside of Christmas, this time is, to me, the most wonderful time of the year.

“Hey,” a familiar voice calls out from nearby. “You done for the day?”

“Are you stalking me?” I say in my sassiest and teasing tone when I look over and find Noah on his stomach doing an army crawl toward me.

“I put that GPS locator thing on your phone, so I could find you if you got lost in the mountains looking for that bird,” he teases, his hands grasping my ankles as he gently tugs on my legs like a spoiled child. “I’m done with teaching today, can we hang out now?”

“I’ve got a better idea,” I say, sitting on the ground beside him. “Let’s go look at those houses we saw online last night. That one that’s on the edge of the park, and not too far from the arena, has been on my mind since we saw it.”

I am one girl who loves looking at real estate.

Noah chuckles. “Virtual tour wasn’t enough?”

I shake my head. “Of course not. We need to go see it.”

Noah rolls onto his side and sits up, crossing his legs and places himself in front of me. “So you like the idea of living here, in Maple Falls, part of the year?”

Shrugging, I busy myself putting away my camera. “Why not? We’re both enjoying being here. To the point we’ve extended the trip, plus you’re coming back in a month or so for the second annual Ice Breakers charity game now. And did you see those prices? I can actually afford something here, versus buying a house in New York or even renting there or near where you or my mom live.”

“So, let me get this straight,” Noah’s easy grin slides intoplace as he takes my hands and pulls me onto his lap. “You’d be happy hanging out in Maple Falls with or without me?”

Throwing my head back, I laugh. “That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Are you saying you’re investing in our future by looking at said house in Maple Falls?” Noah’s eyebrow quirks as he stares at me intently, his eyes hooded. Have I mentioned that I am so in love with this man?

“You added a dark room to your barn for me so I have my own space when I need it,” I manage, smacking his arm playfully while I go back to packing my things. “I guess, yes, if I got a house here it would be an investment. For me. And for us.”

Noah’s silent, cocking his head to the side as he watches me. I busy myself with packing and repacking my things, he makes me giddy and nervous when he stares at me like this. It’s like we’re in high school, and I’m being hit on by the cool jock that everyone loves. He makes me get all fluttery and warm on my insides. I can feel his eyes boring a hole into my body, to the point I’m getting a weird tickle down the back of my neck.

“What?” I almost screech, much to his wicked delight. “You’re staring at me and it’s making me crazy.”

Noah takes my hand. “You know, this is good.”

“The fact you’re making me crazy?”

“Us. I didn’t think last year, when we were here, that this is where we’d end up. You’ve got a great job, you’re happy. I’m an assistant coach for the Renegades, but I get to have a life now.”

“Well,” I say, interrupting him. “You had a life before.”

“I did, but now,” his thumb grazes the top of my hand, “there’s balance. There’s a routine. I can take time off for long chunks and, secretly, I kinda like that I’m not having to train as hard as I was.”

I nudged him in the ribs. “Oh it’s no secret.”

“Ha,” he rolls his eyes. “Look at how you’ve changed. You’re spending more time with your mom. You only have to be inNew York, what, once maybe twice a month? I’ve gotten you to ride horses …”

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