Page 284 of Billion-Dollar Attitudes

"Wow," she whispered.

I kissed the crook of her neck. "I could go for a round two if you'd like."

She snorted. "I don't think I have round 1.5 in me. Can I get a raincheck and opt for a steaming shower instead?"

We left our lingering passion and headed into the shower. Under the hot spray, we washed away the day's troubles. Once clean and wrapped in robes, we navigated the dimly lit room and settled into bed.

Courtney nestled into my side, her heartbeat syncing with mine. The day's events finally caught up, pulling us towards sleep's gentle lull. In this quiet, Courtney stirred, breaking the silence with a soft whisper. "Brad?"

"Hmm?" I responded my fingers instinctively brushing through her hair.

After a pause, she whispered, "Where should we get married?"

"How about here? Right here in our home!"

“Perfect.”

Epilogue

Courtney

Three Months Later

Brad and I stood united, our hearts echoing as one amidst the grandeur of the Ahwahnee Lodge at Yosemite National Park. His hand, strong and firm in mine, was a testament to the bond we'd recently sealed at our intimate garden apartment wedding. Laughter, vows, and the heartfelt cheers of our cherished Rosedale crew still reverberated within us, their echoes painting our smiles with joy.

Brad turned to me, his eyes glinting with shared delight. "It's incredible, isn't it, Court? Feels like we've come full circle from our first vacation," he remarked with quiet awe. The shared memory of our initial adventure, now amplified by the joyous hues of our honeymoon, added depth to his words.

Our honeymoon had, indeed, been a tranquil oasis amid the desert of challenges we had overcome. Brad, ever the explorer, seemed to always revel in the freedom and wild beauty of Yosemite, his enthusiasm infectious. "This place, Court... it's like us. Beautiful, resilient, full of surprises," he'd said one evening, his words a soft whisper against the symphony of the wilderness.

Our anticipation grew as we prepared to welcome our extended family, an excitement mirrored in our Western-themed outfits. Brad's grin broadened as he heard the click of our cowboy boots on the polished floors. "I reckon we make a pretty good Western pair, huh?" he teased, making me laugh. He had always had a way of making even the simplest moments special.

The excitement of the room was palpable, magnified by the melodious notes spilling from the stringed ensemble playing in the grand lobby. Brad's eyes twinkled with a sense of accomplishment. "We weathered the storm, Court. We're here, and we're happier and stronger for it,” he said, his words brimming with a spirit of triumph.

I poked Brad, busy gazing out the window at the mountains surrounding us. "Here they come."

"Wow, this place is wild, isn't it, Harper?" I asked, delighting in the young girl's awe.

"It's like a zoo, but the animals don't move," Harper replied, her voice filled with surprise as she glanced around the space at the trophy bucks, grizzlies, antelopes and ducks.

Brad, too, joined in the interaction, his love for children evident in his words. He chuckled, ruffling Harper's hair. "Just wait till you see the buffalo outside, kiddo. They're much more exciting and dangerous!”

Pausing for a moment from greeting the Rosedale crew, my gaze drifted back to Brad. His eyes were crinkled at the corners, his smile a testament to our joy and success. The love I saw in my husband warmed me from the inside out. It was in these ordinary yet extraordinary moments I realized how incredibly far we'd come.

Daniel and Sicily hugged each other spontaneously as they began to let their hair down after so many years of stress. Moments like these were also reminders of why we fought so hard to reach this point.

"Jesus, this place is amazing," Ryder glanced around. "Where's the chuckwagon? I'm starved."

We all laughed, and Brad thumbed over his shoulder. "Go check in. Then we’ll meet in the grand dining room for drinks and dinner afterward."

The moment was broken by the sound of more approaching boots. "We made it!" Guy whooped, carrying Jonathan in his arms.

"I'm so glad you decided on this place. Brings back so many memories of vacations with my family," Ariel raved, tugging on Guy's arm as they made their way to the desk.

Our joyous reunion was momentarily interrupted as the familiar sound of another set of boots echoed through the grand lounge. Turning, my heart skipped a beat as I saw my father striding in, a broad grin adorning his face. Following closely behind him was an unexpected guest, who was dear to my heart.

"Dad!" I exclaimed, my voice brimming with happiness. Letting go of Brad's hand, I ran toward my father, welcoming him with a warm embrace. The scent of earth and hay, so distinctive of him, brought memories of our ranch flooding back. I pulled back, my gaze landing on the man who followed in my father's steps. A gasp of surprised delight escaped me.

"Jedediah!" I exclaimed, recognizing the familiar rugged features of the old friend who had always been a steady presence in my life.

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