Page 30 of Haunting the Mountain Man
I tilt my head, pressing my lips to his temple.
“Guess we survived our first night as newlyweds.”
He lifts his head, eyes warm and fierce.
“First of many.”
And when he kisses me again, slow and deep, I know he’s right.
Epilogue
Sabrina
Halloween
The bell over the shop door jingles for the hundredth time tonight, and I can already tell I’m going to run out of candy before the last wave of ghouls and goblins hit Main Street. Crescent Ridge doesn’t usually get this much foot traffic, but word spread that the witch is handing out full-sized candy bars.
Cole insisted.
Now he’s at the front door, crouched down so he’s eye-level with a trio of tiny vampires and one unicorn princess, his massive hand holding out the basket for them to pick their poison. His voice rumbles low and kind as he asks each oftheir names before doling out treats. Gloria and Shawn Langley already stopped by with their children. The only evidence they witnessed our kiss in the alley was a faint darkening on Gloria’s cheeks. I’m sure mine were no better.
The sight of a lumberjack who can split logs with his bare hands tenderly placing a Snickers into a kid’s plastic pumpkin bucket does something to me I can’t even begin to explain.
From my perch on the counter, cats draped around me like gothic accessories, I sip spiced cider and watch. Onyx sprawls against my thigh like the prince he thinks he is. Obsidian perches above us on the shelf, yellow eyes glowing in the dim light, and Oswald chirrups at all the children like he’s the official greeter ofTomes and Tea.
“Happy Halloween,” Cole says, straight-faced, as the unicorn thanks him and skips out the door.
He shuts it gently against the chill October wind before turning toward me. His dark eyes soften when they land on me, still in my black lace, veil abandoned on the counter, lipstick long since smudged from his kisses. I’m his undead bride and he loves it.
“What?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“You’re staring.”
“Can you blame me?” I echo his own line back at him.
He grins, crossing the shop in a few strides, plucking Onyx from my lap, and setting the cat aside so he can tug me down off the counter. His arms circle my waist, strong and sure.
“I love you,” he murmurs against my hair.
The bell jingles again, more little monsters piling in, and he groans but lets me go. I laugh as he returns to his post, handing out candy like the most intimidating doorman in history.
This is it. My spooky shop, my black-clad heart, my cats, my lumberjack husband doling out sugar to local children.Halloween will come again next year, and the year after, but this is the one that’ll always hold a special place in my memory.
Later, once all the trick or treaters have gone home we make our way to Madison’s cabin. Pumpkins line the fence posts, and the scents of woodsmoke, and cider fill the air. My friends are scattered across the lawn in full costume regalia, witch hats, vampire capes, glittery fairy wings, even a cowboy hat that’s seen better days.
My lumberjack husband is in a flannel shirt, towering over everyone, looking like he belongs here more than I ever did.
“Ready?” I whisper, nerves buzzing in my chest.
He squeezes my fingers, steady as stone.
“Born ready.”
We step into the light of the fire just as Calhoun spots us. His deep voice booms across the yard.
“Cole? You’re Sabrina’s mystery man?”
Cole doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t hesitate. His voice carries steady and proud.
