Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Epilogue
Juniper–one month later
The sound of the Phantom River rushing in the distance mingles with the crunch of our boots on the rocky path. Flint is walking ahead of me, his broad shoulders blocking the view of whatever he’s leading me to. His stride is purposeful, and his hand is a steady weight on mine as he guides me up the trail.
“This is very cryptic,” I say, my tone laced with teasing suspicion. “You’re not planning to lead me into the woods and leave me there, are you?”
He glances over his shoulder, his lips quirking into the faintest smirk. “If I wanted to get rid of you, sweetheart, I wouldn’t drag you uphill first. Too much effort.”
I narrow my eyes at him, though I can’t stop the grin tugging at my mouth. “Charming as ever, Flint. Really pulling out all the stops.”
“Just you wait,” he says, his tone low and teasing, and damn it if that gravelly edge doesn’t send a shiver through me.
When we reach a clearing, I stop in my tracks. The fire tower looms above us, its wooden frame catching the late afternoon sunlight. Memories of that harrowing night flood back—the wildfire raging below us, the heat of his body so close to mine, the moment everything between us changed.
I blink up at the structure, my heart thudding. “What are we doing here?”
He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pulls me forward, leading me to the base of the tower. “You’ll see.”
The climb up the stairs is nerve-wracking, but when we reach the top, the view takes my breath away. The forest stretches out in every direction, a patchwork of green and gold, with the Phantom River snaking through it like a silver ribbon. It’s beautiful, peaceful—like we’re standing at the edge of the world.
“Flint,” I breathe, turning to face him. “Why are we here?”
He leans against the railing, crossing his arms over his chest. His face is calm, but there’s a flicker of something in his eyes—something soft and serious that makes my pulse race.
“I bought it,” he says simply.
My jaw drops. “You… bought the fire tower?”
He nods, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “Figured it could use a little TLC. Thought we could turn it into something—maybe fix it up as a rental or a place to escape to when the cabin gets too crowded.”
My chest tightens as I process his words. “You’re serious.”
“Dead serious.” His gaze locks on mine, and the intensity there makes my knees weak. “This place means something, Juniper. It’s where everything changed for us. I wanted it to be ours.”
I swallow hard, emotion welling up in my throat. “Flint…”
He pushes off the railing and takes a step toward me, pulling something from his pocket as he goes. Before I can fully comprehend what’s happening, he drops to one knee, his big hand holding out a small velvet box.
Time stops.
My breath catches as he flips the lid open, revealing a simple but beautiful ring—a delicate band with a small emerald set in the center, the color of the forest. It’s perfect.
“Juniper Hayes,” he begins, his voice steady and sure. “You crashed into my life like a wildfire—loud, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. You’ve made me laugh, made me crazy, and made me realize that I don’t want to face another day without you. You’re it for me, Juniper. You’re my home.”
I press my hand to my mouth, tears streaming down my face as he takes a breath, his gaze never wavering.
“Will you marry me?”
I can barely speak past the lump in my throat, but I manage to choke out, “Yes. Yes, of course, I will.”
He grins—a rare, genuine grin that lights up his entire face—and stands, slipping the ring onto my finger with surprising gentleness for a man so rough around the edges. As soon as it’s in place, I throw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a kiss that’s equal parts passion and promise.
His hands grip my waist, anchoring me as the wind swirls around us, and for a moment, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.
When we finally break apart, I rest my forehead against his, my heart full to bursting. “You’re full of surprises, Flint Warner.”
“Stick around, Juniper. I’ve got plenty more where that came from.” His tone is teasing, but his eyes are soft, filled with a love that takes my breath away.
I glance down at the ring, turning my hand to watch the emerald catch the light. “It’s perfect.”
“So are you,” he says, his voice low and gravelly, and the way he looks at me makes me believe it.
Second Epilogue
Flint–five years later
The porch creaks under the weight of my boots as I stretch my legs out in front of me, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the yard. The forest beyond our cabin is alive, vibrant, its rebirth after the wildfire a daily reminder of how life can grow stronger after it’s been tested by fire.