Page 23 of Brewing with the Mountain Man
"I love you," I tell her again, because I can and because it's true.
She smiles up at me, and in her eyes, I see my future.
"I love you too, mountain man."
Bear barks his approval, tail wagging, and we go back to bottling beer and building our new life together.
EPILOGUE - SADIE
ONE MONTH LATER
The Deepwood Mountain Fall Festival is in full swing, and I'm beyond restless with nervous energy.
I stand next to Ledger at the beer garden's main tent as his hand engulfs mine.
I know he’s just as anxious as I am to hear the results of the contest because I feel his racing heart through my fingers.
"Stop bouncing," he murmurs, with a smile. "You're making Bear dizzy."
I glance down at the black lab sitting perfectly still at our feet, tongue lolling in what looks suspiciously like a doggy grin. "Bear's fine. You're the one who keeps checking the time on your phone."
"I'm not—" He stops, catches himself mid-phone-check, and scowls. "Shut up."
I laugh, rising on my toes to kiss his scruffy jaw.
A month of being together, and I still can’t get enough of him.
The past four weeks have been a whirlwind of adjustments. I've kept my apartment in town, but I spend more nights at the cabin than not. One of my uniforms hangs in his closet next to his flannels and my favorite coffee mug…
Park Ranger: Like a regular law enforcement officer, but much cooler
…sits in his cabinet.
Bear has decided my side of the bed is actually his side of the bed, which leads to interesting nightly negotiations.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" The festival coordinator's voice booms through the microphone, making everyone in the tent turn toward the small stage. "It's time to announce the winner of our annual Home Brewed Beer Contest!"
Ledger's hand tightens on mine and I squeeze back, my heart back at full-throttle.
He entered this contest to prove something to himself, to take that first step back into the world. But somewhere along the way, it became about more than that. It became about him believing he deserves good things again.
"Third place goes to..." The coordinator pauses dramatically. "Harriet Blake for her Lavender Wheat Ale!"
Polite applause fills the tent. Harriet, who runs the local tack and feed store, accepts her ribbon with a bright smile.
"Second place...Griff Pierce's Apple Cider IPA!"
More applause. Griff whoops and pumps his fist, nearly knocking over his own beer display. Then his wife, Stevie, jumps into his arms for a kiss.
My stomach clenches. First or nothing now.
"And our grand prize winner, taking home five hundred dollars and the honor of having their beer featured at next year's festival..."
The pause feels eternal. Ledger's gone completely still beside me, like he's forgotten how to breathe.
"Ledger Ford for his Truffle Huckleberry Stout!"
The tent erupts. People are clapping, cheering, and Ledger just stands there, stunned. I throw my arms around his neck, and he catches me automatically, still looking dazed.
