Love on Ice (Cannon City Series Book 2) (22 page)

Epilogue

By the next week, Kate was all moved in with Jay. They brought along her Christmas tree and re-decorated it. Ozzie, the kitten, batted at the string of lights and knocked off the few decorations. They joked about Santa Claus passing them by this year since they weren’t married yet and held on to one another. Jay didn’t feel worried anymore that she would run and just wanted to hold her tight because it felt so good.

Kate relaxed for the first time in her life. There were mornings when they sat at the dining room table and she’d tear up. She explained to Jay that they were happy tears and one day she would probably take everything they felt for one another for granted, but she would try to hold on to the feeling as long as she could.

They set the date for their wedding to be in June. Kate called her dad and told him the date and that he would have to be in Canon City to give her away. He made the reservation before the end of the year and told Kate he couldn’t wait to meet her fiancé.

They woke up on Christmas morning and exchanged small presents. She gave him a small gold key to put on his keychain. She told him it belonged to her heart and he could use it as often as he wished. Jay started to laugh and handed her a small box. When she opened it she looked at him and her brows furled together.

“Did you know about the key?” She took a key out of the box and held it up.

“No, I didn’t know, but that’s only part of the gift. Close your eyes, babe.”

She did as he asked and he led her out of the house to the driveway. When they stopped he told her to open them. Sitting next to Jay’s blue Jeep, was a red one, the same make and model.

Kate’s mouth dropped open. “What? Jay, darling man, I don’t know how to drive.” She looked up at him.

“That’s why you’re going to start lessons the first Monday after the New Year. I’ve already made the arrangements and you’ll be all good to go.” He smiled down at her and put his arm around her shoulders.

“Are you tired of driving me to work?”

“No, no...I just thought since you’re farther out of town now, it would be easier for you to do your girly stuff if you had your own wheels.”

She hugged him. “Thank you. Oh my God, I have a car. This is great,” she squealed and ran to the side of the Jeep.

After breakfast, they drove to Jay’s parents’ house to have Christmas dinner. They told his mom and dad that they’d set the date and planned to marry in June. Mrs. Hager hugged Kate, started to cry and welcomed Kate to the family. They were getting ready to open a bottle of champagne, when the phone rang. It was the hospital back east where Jay’s brother was taken after the bombing in Afghanistan. The doctor said Matt did very well with the rehab, but for some reason, he got out of bed yesterday and walked away from the hospital. The military police were doing their best to find him, but at present they weren’t sure where he’d gone.

It brought the mood down a little in the Hager household and they all agreed to save the champagne until they could celebrate with Matt.

Later, when Kate and Jay were in bed holding one another, she sat up and looked down at him. “Babe, I’ve been thinking. We may need to put the wedding off a little. I want your brother to be here and I know your mom and dad would be happier if we did.”

“That’s sweet, but are you sure? We could always do a Justice of the Peace thing and then have a second wedding later.”

“No, I don’t mind waiting. We’re together and your mom and dad seemed so subdued at dinner. I think we can wait until Matt’s here with us.”

“Whatever you want to do, sweetie. I’m with you all the way.”

“Jay, you don’t think there is any reason to be worried about Matt? I mean, he wouldn’t do anything bad?” She looked down at him.

“No. Mattie’s level-headed and he wouldn’t do anything to himself. It would kill my mom and dad and he’d never do that.” He pulled her back into his arms and held her tight.

Kate started to cry. “Jay, I don’t know what to do. I’ve never dealt with something like this.”

“We’re together, babe. We’ll hold each other up and deal with it day to day. There’s nothing to worry about and I’m sure Matt will show up when he’s ready.” He rolled her onto her back and propped himself up on his elbow. “Hey, there’s nothing we can do right now.” He wiped the tears off her cheeks. “You know what?”

“What?”

“The fact that you are so worried about someone you’ve never met, just makes me love you more and more. You have such a big heart.” He leaned over and kissed her chest. “I’m the luckiest man on the planet.”

“We might have to argue about that, because I feel like I’m the luckiest.” She raised her eyebrows and reached for a Kleenex to blow her nose. She threw the tissue aside and put her arms around his neck. “See, there are so many things that make me feel lucky.”

“Like what?”

“Hmm...like when I got off the bus here in Canon City and found that apartment that was only two blocks from the rink. And the rink itself was lucky. I never would have met you if the rink wasn’t there. So, I think I’m the luckiest.”

Jay chuckled. “Okay, I’ll give it to you for now. We may have to discuss it more when I’ve had a little more time to rationally think about it. Right now, I can’t be rational, because of where you are positioned. Your body has made my brain turn to mush.” He kissed her again and licked along her jaw.

“Mush brain, huh? Maybe this is a good time to get you to agree to something.”

“What are you plotting, my woman?”

Her eyebrow arched and she licked her lips. “Oh, just this and that.”

“You are being evil and I can’t wait to find out what’s in the head of yours.”

“I love you, Jay.”

“You’re mine, woman.”

Look for Love’s Embers

The first in the

Canon City Series

Read the exciting first series in the Canon City series by best-selling author, Lauren Marie.

As kids, Lark Metcalfe and Charlie Stone saved each other and Canon City, Colorado from bullies, dark knights and alien invaders. Then one terrible night, Charlie accidentally killed his abusive father and Lark watched the police take her best friend away knowing she couldn’t save him.

Now, thirteen years later, Charlie has come home. He’s driven a big rig around the country for all these years and is tired of being alone. Lark owns an on-line business and is engaged to be married on New Year’s Eve, but she’s haunted by a secret and very angry that Charlie just left her behind.

Lark and Charlie have a lot of hurts to forgive. Will they be able to accept their past and rekindle the friendship and love that bound them so many years ago? Can they forgive each other and themselves for the dark secrets that are in their hearts and turn a childhood spark into a mature flame?

About the Author

Lauren Marie

Lauren Marie lives with her four cats in Western Washington State. She is the author of One Touch at Cob’s Bar and Grill - story 3 of the Montana Ranch Series, Love’s Touch - Then and Now, Going to Another Place.

  Although, she has been focusing her current efforts in the paranormal romance, time-travel and reincarnation genres, she is currently working on continuing the Canon City Series. The first book - Love’s Ember’s waa released fall 2014.

When she isn’t pounding the keys, she is an amateur paranormal investigator. She formed her own group in 2006 to hunt ghosts and some unusual experiences have put in an appearance in some of her stories.

Lauren likes to receive feedback. If you want to send her likes and dislikes, you can go to the contact us page on the web-site laurenmariebooks.com or write to her at [email protected] gmail.com, [email protected] or friend her at facebook.com/laurenmariebooks. She does respond to feedback.

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