Page 157 of Meet Me in the Valley
“You were going to follow me even if I wanted to live off-grid in Montana?” Logan’s chuckle warms my skin, weaving through me with nothing but love.
“Don’t you know by now I’d follow you anywhere, T?”
I do. I know.
“Can we go see it?”
“Yeah. Come on.”
We link fingers, walking down the hill toward the dock. The lake reflects the morning sun, the water still and endless. We stand in the same spot we met all those years ago, soaking in the quiet that says everything.
It used to be the place we escaped to. And now?
It’s the place we’re runningtoward—where we’ll grow roots, build walls, and fill them with life.
Tia glances back at the clearing behind us.
“I love it,” she says softly. “It’s perfect, Logan.”
I cradle her face in my hands, noses brushing, her hazel gaze burning into mine.
“Will you do this with me, baby? Will you build this life with me?”
“Well,” Tia sighs, “I kinda have to now. You may be a brilliant architect, but your interior design skills are shit—just like your cooking.”
“Goddamn minx,”I mutter, grinning before crashing my lips to hers in a fervent kiss, swallowing her melodic laugh as it spills between us. She’s breathing new life into me all over again.
I’ll take everything she gives me.
Everylaugh.Everymemory.Everybroken, beautiful, wild part of her.
And I’ll run with it, straight into the life we’re building.
Together, right here.
Back in the valley where we belong.
Epilogue
TIA
6 MONTHS LATER
“It’s like Uncle Sam threw up in here,” Nora mutters, scrunching her nose as we step into the foyer at the King Estate.
Cali gasps, clutching a string of imaginary pearls as if her mother has just said the most offensive thing. “Mom! Where’s your holiday spirit?”
She waves a tiny American flag in her mother’s face for dramatic effect, then readjusts the outrageous headband on her head. The metallic tassels bob around like they’ve got minds of their own.
Nora gives her a long, unimpressed look. “You look like a festive porcupine.”
Cali grins proudly. “Thank you, Mommy.”
I bite back a laugh, elbowing Nora gently as Cali twirls through the room, totally in awe. Her camera bounces against her chest as she takes in the over-the-top decorations.
It’s been a gift having my sister and niece here for the summer. They flew in a few days ago and are planning to stay for the month. It’s something we all need, especially now.
Mom’s health has been on a slow, painful decline. And while none of us want to admit it, Dad’s been brutally honest. Memory care may become necessary within the year.
