Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“Let’s get out of here,” he says, his voice a low rumble, “I’m sick of sharing you with everyone. Need you all to myself, baby.”
I laugh softly, letting him lead me back toward Devil’s Peak Lodge, my heart full and my future brighter than the stars above.
Second Epilogue
King–two months later
The campfire crackles, sending flickers of golden light dancing across the clearing. The lake glimmers under the moonlight, and the towering pines of Copper Mountain stand sentinel around us. It’s quiet except for the distant hoot of an owl and the occasional pop of the fire. Indie is sitting on a log near the flames, bundled in one of my flannels that’s way too big for her, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, her legs crossed under her. She looks so damn perfect, it hurts.
She laughs softly, pulling her knees closer to her chest. “I don’t know how you talked me into camping for our honeymoon.”
“Talked you into it?” I smirk, tossing another log on the fire and brushing my hands on my jeans. “You practically begged me.”
Her mouth drops open in mock outrage. “Begged? That’s rich coming from the guy who said, and I quote, ‘I don’t need a fancy resort when I’ve got you.’”
“Still true.” I lean back against a tree trunk, stretching my legs out and watching her. She has this way of making the simplest moments feel monumental. “And besides, this is better. Just us. No distractions.”
Her eyes soften, and she rests her chin on her knees, the firelight painting her features in warm hues. “You’re not wrong,” she admits. “It’s beautiful out here. Peaceful.”
“Mm.” I study her, my gaze tracing the curve of her cheek, the way her lips twitch like she’s holding back a smile. “But you’re thinking about something. Spill it.”
She quirks a brow at me. “Spill what?”
“Whatever it is you’re not saying.” I tilt my head, my voice low, teasing. “I can see it all over your face, Indie. You’re terrible at hiding things.”
She bites her lip, her eyes darting to the fire. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I push to my feet and saunter toward her, crouching beside the log. Her cheeks flush, and she shifts under my stare. “Liar,” I murmur, my hand sliding to the back of her neck. “You’re keeping something from me.”
“King—” Her breath catches as I tilt her head up to meet my eyes. There it is—the flicker of nervous excitement she can never hide. “It’s nothing. Really.”
I lean in, brushing my lips against her ear, my voice dropping to a gravelly whisper. “You know better than to lie to me, sweetheart.”
She shivers, her hands clutching the edges of my flannel. “Okay, fine,” she blurts, her voice shaky. “But you have to promise not to freak out.”
“Freak out?” I pull back just enough to see her face, my brow furrowing. “Now you’ve got me curious.”
She exhales sharply, her eyes locking with mine. For a second, she looks almost scared, which sends a jolt of protectiveness straight through me. “Indie, what’s going on?”
“I’m pregnant,” she says, the words rushing out in a single breath.
I stare at her, the firelight catching the shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes. Pregnant. The word echoes in my head, and for a second, I wonder if I heard her wrong. But the nervous look on her face tells me I didn’t.
“You’re…” I trail off, my voice hoarse.
“Pregnant,” she repeats, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t think I could have babies, that’s what they told me when I was diagnosed with endometriosis last year. I thought my eyes were seeing things when I took the pregnancy test, I thought I misheard the doctor when he confirmed it yesterday… I know it doesn’t make sense, but it’s real. I’m pregnant, King.”
I sit back on my heels, the weight of her words sinking in. My chest feels tight, like it’s too full, too much to hold. Slowly, a grin spreads across my face, and I reach for her, my hands cupping her cheeks.
“You’re serious?” My voice is rough, disbelieving.
She nods, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I am.”
“Jesus, Indie,” I murmur, pulling her into my arms. My lips press against her temple, her hair, her cheek. “That’s… that’s the best damn news I’ve ever heard.”
She laughs, a little choked, her arms wrapping around my neck. “You’re not mad?”
“Mad?” I pull back just enough to look at her, my hands sliding to her waist. “How the hell could I be mad? You just told me we’re having a baby, Indie. That’s a goddamn miracle.”
Her laugh softens, and she touches my cheek, her fingers gentle against my scruff. “Aunt Betty said love could move mountains. Guess she wasn’t wrong.”
I grin, leaning in to kiss her. It’s slow, deliberate, a kiss that says everything I can’t put into words. When I finally pull back, I slide my hand to her belly, pressing my palm against the soft fabric of the flannel. “A miracle,” I repeat, my voice thick. “Our miracle.”