Holiday Hire (The Cartwright Family #2)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Alexander

Early June

" B y the power vested in me by the great state of Texas, I now declare you Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Cartwright. Sir, you may kiss your bride," Santiago, the wedding officiant, declares.

I'm overflowing with happiness. I stare at my beaming wife, who's made a more beautiful bride than I could have ever imagined.

Her hair is in a French twist, curling around her face. Her fitted, white lace dress has a low back and a small train, perfect for the June weather. The sun shines over the lake, and our family surrounds us.

I reach for her and kiss her until her knees weaken, holding her close to me, and the others cheer loudly.

I pull back and realize I've never seen her look so happy. She lights up my life like she has since the first moment I saw her, even when I didn't realize it.

We walk down the pink carpet until we reach the end. The guests all take their turns giving us their congratulations and then we go into the tent.

The interior is dotted with regular tables and several tall cocktail tables. Music plays softly in the background, and my bride continues to beam as she talks to her mom.

A caregiver is with her, making sure she's okay. But since she got to Texas, the home we chose for her has provided better medical care. She's been allowed to leave more often with a caregiver, and it was a big deal to Phoebe that she was here.

The boys run up to us, each grabbing Phoebe's hands.

Ace exclaims, "We have a surprise for you!"

"Yeah, you're going to love it," Wilder adds.

Phoebe's eyes widen. "Oh, what is it?"

"You have to come with us," Wilder insists.

She looks at me. I hold my hands in the air, fibbing, "I don't know anything about this."

Her eyes narrow. "Why do I feel like you're lying?"

I wiggle my eyebrows.

She laughs. "Okay, where are we going?"

"Actually, you have to close your eyes," I say.

I take out a white scarf and tie it around her head, covering her eyes.

"Wow. I don't know if I should be nervous or excited."

"Be excited! Be really, really excited!" Ace answers.

"Yeah. You're not going to find this anywhere in the world. Well, very few places," Wilder adds.

She laughs again. It's both anxious and animated, and I love everything about it.

The photographer steps in front of us. "Can I take a picture?"

"You sure can," I say, and stand behind Phoebe. The boys step closer to her.

She asks, "Am I getting my picture taken right now?"

"Yep. Smile, baby girl."

The photographer snaps several shots. He says, "Oh, those turned out great. You're going to love them, Mrs. Cartwright."

Her grin grows. "Thank you."

I pat her ass, and she jumps slightly.

I say, "I think it's time we get this surprise revealed."

"Come on, Phoebe. Don't worry. We'll make sure you don't fall or anything," Ace assures.

"Why, thank you."

"Yeah, we don't want a bloody bride," Wilder declares.

I groan. "Way to go to the worst scenario possible."

He grins, giving me his cocky Jagger look again.

The boys lead her to the golf cart.

Ace orders, "Time to get in."

She reaches in front of her.

I inform her, "You're at the golf cart. Just sit down carefully." I help her into the seat.

The boys and I get in the cart as well. They hop on the back, and I take the driver's spot. I maneuver the cart through the trees and toward the barn. I pull out of the woods and park, telling her, "Wait for me to get out. I don't want you hurting yourself."

"Okay," she agrees.

I get out, quickly move to her side, and carefully help her to her feet.

Ace and Wilder have excited expressions on their faces, and I can't help but grin. They've been dying to reveal their surprise. I've called them Mason and Jagger more than once, telling them they'll be just like their uncles if they can't keep their mouths shut. But they have.

The boys step back next to Phoebe, and each takes one of her hands again. I lead the way, opening the barn door.

She steps closer and wrinkles her nose. She asks, "Why do I smell hay and manure?"

"We're not telling," Wilder answers.

"Be careful with your heels," I advise, then say, "Hold on a minute." I realize her fancy white shoes aren't meant for a barn. So I scoop her up in my arms.

She yelps, laughing.

"I got you, baby girl."

"Whoa, thanks," she says with a giggle.

"Those stilettos are going to sink if you attempt to walk."

"Okay. Why are we in the barn?"

"You'll see. Be patient like you always tell us," Ace scolds.

She puts her hands in the air. "Okay, okay."

I kiss her on the lips, and I can't wait to pick her up and take her to the cabin where we decided to spend the first night. All I want to do is make love to my wife, but I know I'll have to wait all day for that.

We finally step inside the barn, and I ask the boys, "Are you ready?"

One of the horses lets out a loud neigh, and Phoebe jumps in my arms.

I laugh. "Don't worry. You're not going to get bitten by any horses."

She tilts her head, smirking.

She's actually become quite the rider. We go on rides almost daily. Sometimes I can't go, but she'll go with the boys after school. But more often than not, she's on a horse.

Wilder instructs, "Okay, take the blindfold off."

I release it.

Phoebe blinks a few times.

Ace orders, "Look! He's yours!"

She gapes at the white horse.

Wilder announces, "It's not just any stallion. It's a rare one! Look at how white he is."

She gazes at the huge animal.

My stomach flips. "Do you like him?" I've scoured everywhere, looking for the stallion, and I'll be just as crushed as the boys if she doesn't like him.

She continues to gape.

"Aren't you excited? You have a stallion," Ace asks.

She stares a little longer, then looks back at me. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I thought you needed a stallion," I cockily state and then wink.

She laughs and looks back at the horse.

Wilder suggests, "You should get on him...feel him out."

I grunt. "Phoebe's not getting on the horse in her wedding dress."

She looks at the stallion again.

He steps forward.

She reaches out and pats him, then says, "Wow. You guys really got him for me?"

Ace answers, "Yes! But Dad wouldn't let us name him. He said you have to name him."

"I get to name him?"

"Yeah, it's your horse," Wilder says.

She stares at her gift, petting it.

He tries to nuzzle her, but I move her backward.

"Don't want you smelling like a horse on your wedding day."

"What are you going to name him?" Wilder questions.

"I don't know. Can I think about it? It's a big decision," Phoebe says.

"Okay. Do you love him?" Ace asks.

She nods. "Absolutely. I can't believe you guys did this for me."

"Yes! We knew you'd love him," Wilder says, and Ace gives him a high five.

She leans back to whisper in my ear, "I'm so excited. Now I have two stallions." She bats her eyelashes, smirking.

I grin. "Yeah, and the most important one is waiting for you. He's been waiting for you for a long time."

She beams at me, and my heart swells.

Everything in my life is perfect. I have my kids, my family, and now, I have my wife. She's a woman I never knew existed until my family forced me to hire her, but I discovered I need her more than I could ever have imagined.

Thank you so much for reading Holiday Hire!