Page 79 of Tangled Vows

EPILOGUE

SHAYLA

Seven months later…

“Wake up, sleepy head.” A soft hand brushed the hair from my face, and I turned into the warm body next to me. Easton’s deep chuckle met my ears, and he dropped a kiss to my forehead. “We’re about to land,” he announced, and I bolted upright, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Turning, I gazed out the window, taking in the verdant green and lush rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands.

“Wow,” I gasped, soaking in the view. “It’s so beautiful.”

Easton and I never got to take a honeymoon, so once the dust settled from the media shit storm Maxwell caused, he promised to take me anywhere I wanted to go. We just had to wait for hockey season to end. Since I’d always wanted to stay in an old castle and explore the Highlands, I chose Scotland. And Easton took care of the rest.

When we pulled up to the castle hotel, I stared up in wonder. It was beautiful, the aged stone set against the backdrop of the clear blue summer sky. I turned to find Easton watching me, a contented smile spreading over his lips.

Once we were checked in, and our luggage had been brought to our room, we decided to take a tour. The inside of the castle was immaculate, but the grounds were stunning. The gardens were full of lush greenery and bursting with colorful blooms.

I couldn’t believe we got to spend a whole week here. My husband had chosen the perfect spot for us to take our long overdue honeymoon. I turned to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my chin on his chest.

“I love you,” I said, gazing up at the man I adored.

He cupped my face and whispered, “I love you too.” Lowering his mouth to mine, he pressed a soft kiss to my lips. It started out slow and sweet, but when I slipped my tongue into his mouth, it heated quickly.

“Why don’t we go back to our room and you can show me just how much you love me,” I offered suggestively. He didn’t make me ask twice.

The next morning,I awoke to someone knocking on the door. I rolled over to burrow into Easton’s side, but the spot next to me was empty. Where was my husband? Checking my phone, I saw it was already ten o’clock. Jet lag must’ve hit me harder than I thought.

The knocking grew more insistent, so I threw off the covers and grabbed my robe. I’d fallen asleep naked after Easton thoroughly explored my body. Slipping it on, I went to the door and opened it. A pretty blonde woman with the brightest blue eyes I’d ever seen smiled at me warmly.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“I’m here to do your hair and makeup,” she offered, and I noticed she had a rolling makeup case. My brow knitted in confusion.

“I think you have the wrong room.”

“Are you Mrs. Walker?” she asked.

“Yes,” I answered hesitantly.

“Then I’m in the right room. My name is Lorna,” she offered, reaching out to shake my hand. I accepted in a daze, unsure if I was still dreaming or if this was really happening. Lorna breezed past me, her makeup case in tow, and opened the blinds. “The lighting in here is perfect,” she announced in her lilting Scottish accent.

“Are you sure you’re in the right room? I didn’t book these services.”

“Your husband did,” she informed me, and my brows shot to my hairline. “He said he has something special planned for you today and wanted to make sure you got the five star treatment,” she offered, a dreamy look overtaking her features.

“Okay,” I replied, too stunned to say much more. While she set up her workspace, I grabbed some comfortable clothes and went to the bathroom to get dressed.

“Do you have any idea what my husband is planning for today?” I asked as I sank onto the chair.

“I might have some idea,” she replied conspiratorially, “but it’s a surprise.”

I typed out a quick text to Easton, asking where he was. That could give me some clues as to what he was up to. His vague reply came through a minute later.

Easton: Out and about.

Me: You’re not going to tell me what we’re doing today, are you?

Easton: Nope.

I let out a huff of frustration, and Lorna pinched her lips together to suppress a grin. Then she set to work, curling and pinning my hair and wielding her makeup brushes like a magic wand.

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