Page 18 of Redemption in Misty Mountain

We walk the outline of our six-acre property, one step at a time. We are hand in hand and it feels right. The land is quiet and untouched. There aren’t any towering pines like back in Misty Mountain. But there are plenty of sturdy oaks with their sprawling branches stretching toward the sky. Low brush and wild grasses blanket the ground and somewhere in the distance, a deer lifts its head at the sound of our footsteps, ears twitching before it vanishes into the tree line.

Rosalie’s fingers tighten around mine as we move, her gaze sweeping over the land, taking in every detail. I watch her carefully, searching for any sign of what she’s thinking, but she’s unreadable—just quiet, observant.

I clear my throat, steadying myself. “I knew you needed to be close to your sister, so I drew a boundary around that damned ranch and searched for a place to build. Somewhere that could be ours.”

She looks up at me, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

“But the reason I picked this spot,” I say, giving her hand a light squeeze, “is because of that. We have our own mountain.”

I nod toward the rise in the center of the property. It’s not much—just a hill by any reasonable standard—but here, in the middle of all this open land, it stands tall.

Rosalie lets out a glassy-eyed giggle, tilting her head as she studies it. “You’re calling that a mountain?”

I grin. “Sure. In Colorado, we’d call it a hill,” I admit. “But from what I can tell, it might be the highest point in Texas.”

She shakes her head, but she’s smiling now, laughter still in her eyes. It makes something inside me loosen, just a little.

I take a breath and keep going. “I’ve got a team back in Misty Mountain working on every piece of our dream home. We’ve been at it around the clock. We’re building it there and assembling it here. Now that we’ve got a new family member on the way, we’ll have to make a few adjustments, but that’s fine. We’ll figure it out. All those years in the military weren't for nothing. We are secure. I’ve invested and saved for a life I didn’t know I’d get another chance at. But I promise you, I can take care of us from here on out… Forever.”

Rosalie’s lips part slightly, her breath catching. Tears cascade down her cheeks. “Dawson,” is all she says. But she leans into me and I wrap my arms around her.

I kiss the top of her head. “I stayed at the inn for three months so they could start this project. Of course, I didn’t expect to have them put it together in Texas, but I also didn’t expect you to walk back into my life either.” I give her a small, lopsided smile. “So I’m counting that as a win.”

Her eyes well with tears, her chest rising on an unsteady inhale.

“Dawson,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m sorry I doubted you for a single minute. You are incredible. I can’t believe you—this—any of it.” She presses a trembling hand to her mouth, shaking her head slightly before looking at me with nothing but love. “It’s always been you.”

And just like that, I know. She sees it. She feels it. She’s home in my arms.

EPILOGUE: ROSALIE

A few weeks later

Early March brings rare Texas snowflakes with it. They are delicate and fleeting as they drift lazily from the sky. They melt the second they touch the golden grasses. They’re another reminder that we aren’t in Colorado anymore.

This is not Misty Mountain with the heavy, endless snowfalls that once blanketed my world. This is different, but still thrilling even though I could have never planned on it. Snowfall brought Dawson back into my life. Snowfall outside of the Hollow Tree Inn gave us a backdrop for our wedding. Now it’s snowing again, but this time, I’m already in his arms, exactly where I belong.

I adjust the thick knit blanket wrapped around my shoulders and lean against the wide windowsill, cradling a warm mug of cinnamon tea in my hands. The home Dawson built for us is stunning. It’s all open windows and exposed beams mixed with cozy fabrics.

It stands strong, nestled against the rise of our very own Texas mountain. The hill is Dawson’s pride and joy. Truthfully, it’s become mine too. I love it because it’s ours. Every time I think of all the layers of effort that Dawson put into building thisplace it brings tears to my eyes. This place was made with love and stubborn determination, and I still can’t believe it’s real.

We’re settled… truly settled now. And after a lifetime of searching, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to say that.

Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, pulling me against the solid heat of my husband. I let myself sink into him, into the comfort of being his again.

His lips graze the side of my neck, the lazy rasp of his voice sending a shiver down my spine. “Still trying to convince yourself that it's real snow?”

“If it’s frozen and falling from the sky, it counts,” I argue, taking another sip of tea.

Dawson huffs out a low chuckle, his hand smoothing over the curve of my belly. As if on cue, our baby kicks, a firm little reminder that life is moving forward in the best possible way.

I grin. “I think he agrees with me.”

“He inherited my impeccable sense of logic,” Dawson muses. “Won’t catch this guy climbing a tree in an ice storm to save a cat.”

I roll my eyes and Cat lets out an offended meow from the corner of the couch.

“So not cowboy logic then? Because I was thinking… if we’re really settling in Texas, we should embrace it.” I turn my face up to him with a wicked smile. “What do you think about naming him something strong? Rugged. Like Maverick. Or Colt. Or, I don’t know… Tex. A real rancher name.”

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