Epilogue

Epilogue

Chloe

“Relax,” I tell Sam, trying not to laugh.

“I thought they said riding a horse was like riding a bike. Once you learn how to do it, it just comes back to you.”

Now I do laugh. I circle Spartan around, clicking my tongue at Drake, an eighteen-year-old horse we recently adopted so Sam can go trail riding with me. Drake is the perfect “husband horse” and has much more whoa than go, and right now is doing everything he can to pull the reins from Sam’s hands so he can graze.

“Pull him up,” I tell Sam. “And ask him forward. He’s testing you.”

“Come on, buddy,” Sam urges and asks the horse to walk forward. Spartan, who’s ready to race along the dirty trail, speed-walks up ahead, acting as good motivation for Drake to follow us. It’s a rare sixty-five-degree day in early March, and we’re taking advantage of the nice weather while we can.

I leave for a month-long tour in Europe in just a few days, and instead of just doing book signings, Charles and are attending panels to talk about the show. And we have three days set aside for Disneyland Paris, of course. Sam will be able to join me that week before having to come back to Chicago for work.

“Good boy,” I tell my thoroughbred, petting his neck and sinking deeper back into the saddle to keep him from bolting. He’s been off the track for a while, but that racehorse mentality comes out every now and then. Plus, I love running along the trails, but I’d rather not have my boyfriend fall off his horse today.

Sam’s only ridden a handful of times in the recent months, but I have no doubt he’ll get the hang of it by the end of the summer. I’ve made a few new friends here at the barn in Chicago, and Spartan just loves the lush grass and shady pastures.

We’re at a park nearly an hour from the city, having plans to spend the whole day trail riding. I know it’s not Sam’s idea of a super-fun day, but he suggested it just because he knows how much I enjoy it.

Birds chirp and sunlight filters through the bare branches, illuminating the path before us. We pass by several other trail riders, also out enjoying the rare warm day before the weather turns again. There’s snow in the forecast next week, though I’m still enjoying the change in seasons enough not to complain about it—yet. It helps that my barn and indoor arena are heated, making the only outside activity I do in the winter bearable.

“Do you still want to spend the weekend at your dad’s?” Sam asks as we make our way deeper into the woods.

“Yeah.” I turn around, looking at his handsome face. My heart skips a beat, and I still can’t believe things have finally worked out. “Your mom has been texting me about coming over too.”

“Of course she has,” Sam says with a laugh. After making sure Sam is good, I let Spartan trot ahead for a while and then finally let him move into a canter. It doesn’t take long before we’re way up ahead, and it takes Drake a while to catch up. We keep riding, soaking up the peace and silence of the forest. I’ve yet to explore this particular park, and I bring Spartan to a halt when a stream comes into view. It’s overflowing thanks to the melting snow, and despite the rest of the landscape being nothing but brown and gray, it’s pretty.

Deciding this is a good place to get off and offer the horses a drink, we move to a little clearing and tie up the horses. I’m getting snacks out of my saddle bag when Sam comes up behind me, enveloping me in his arms.

I spin, hooking my hands over his shoulders, and stand on my toes to kiss him.

“I love you,” he tells me, hands slipping down to my waist. He pulls me close and kisses me again. “I was going to wait until we were in Paris, but the more I think about it, the more cliché that sounds. And you’re anything but cliché, Chloe Fisher.”

“What are you talking about?”

His blue eyes lock with mine, and he rests his forehead against mine for a beat and then steps back, getting down on one knee.

“From the moment we met, I knew there was something special about you, Chloe. It took me far too long to admit it to myself, but I don’t want to waste any more time. There’s only one person for me, and it’s you. Will you marry me?”

He holds up a little box with a beautiful ring inside. Tears fill my eyes, and my head bobs up and down. I’m unable to form words, but my lips part and a little squeaking sound comes out.

“Yes,” I finally manage as Sam stands, taking my left hand in his. “Yes, Sam!”

He puts the ring on my finger—it’s a perfect fit—and then pulls me in, kissing me with fervor. Spartan nudges me as if he’s saying congratulations, and I lean back, looking at Sam as I blink away happy tears. It wasn’t an easy road—and things certainly didn’t go as planned—but I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Because we’re here, together, and that’s how it was always meant to be.