Island Holiday (Brookwell Island #4)

Epilogue

A few days later, Sonya ended a call with her girlfriends and walked back into the rental house they’d found on Brookwell Island. It was a short term deal they’d chosen rather than return to a snowy Chicago winter.

She would’ve braved any season for Connor, but the rental made it easier all around. And they were closer to Jess, who was in the process of adding a couple of researchers to her local office. At her request, and with the blessing of Gamble and Swann, Sonya and Connor agreed to stay close to help with training.

She was still floating on a fluffy high that Connor wanted to marry her. At least once an hour, her heart did a happy pirouette in her chest, often when she caught him smiling at her.

The way he was doing right now.

“You look happy,” he said.

“I am.” He really was her Christmas miracle. Her life hadn’t felt so golden since the agency had rescued her a few years back. And her holiday season wasn’t over. “Girl Christmas is coming,” she said. Her traveling alone might be the first real test of their new status. “Will you miss me?”

Connor closed his laptop, giving her his undivided attention. “What exactly does that entail?”

“You don’t know?” She walked closer. “And here I believed that nonsense about you tracking me.”

He tugged her down to balance on his lap. “Wasn’t nonsense.”

She looked down her nose at him. “Then I’m shocked you don’t know all the details.”

He shook his head. “Knowing your location isn’t the same as knowing everything you’re up to.”

She kissed him softly. “Such a comfort that some mystery remains.”

“Hm.” He stroked her thigh. “So what happens at Girl Christmas?”

“That’s for me to know and—”

“Shopping,” he stated. “Gossip, too,” he added with a wink.

“We might talk about boys.” She trailed a finger along his chin, loving the rough stubble. “All the smart girls do.”

He grinned. “Is that so?”

She snuggled close, resting her head on his shoulder. “Do you want to come along?” She wasn’t sure how Hannah and Harper would react to the idea of her bringing Connor along. Obviously, they knew about her engagement and the new living arrangements. That didn’t mean she could stomp all over their long-standing traditions.

Besides, she was torn. As much as she wanted time just with her girlfriends, she was hesitant to leave him. Not just because he’d hauled her—literally—out of trouble recently. She felt entirely safe now with zero worries about being caught or hurt. Both Mertens and Zimmer were in custody. Those enemies were out of her life for good.

“Sonya, I never want to be away from you,” he said. “But your Girl Christmas is special. You should go and enjoy yourself.”

He really did understand her, another miracle in a life that was suddenly full of them. Or maybe it was just the way she was viewing her life now. She could see more light and hope because of Connor’s patience and support. Because of who he was and what he’d shown her about herself. The way he saw her helped her revise and redefine the way she saw herself. It was a priceless gift he gave her every day.

“This isn’t running.” She wasn’t running. Not from him or anyone else anymore. “I’m not looking for an out.”

“I can tell,” he assured her.

This trip would be more like the early years when they’d all been young and hopeful and she didn’t have a care beyond the current class load or dating situation.

“We might do some wedding planning,” she confessed, running her hands along the muscles of his shoulder. “At the very least some wedding window shopping.” Although that would likely be done online. Once the three of them got together they tended to indulge with messy buns and jammie days.

“As long as you’re enjoying yourself. And don’t leave me out of cake-tasting.”

She squeezed him tightly. “Never. Of course, Harper will surely ask if we want a destination wedding at an Ellington property.”

She studied his face as he considered. “I’m cool with that,” he said. “Last I checked there weren’t any Ellington resorts in Kansas.”

“Like I’d ever ask you to do something like that.” She bumped her nose against his and then claimed his mouth. Kissing the man she loved was her new favorite pastime.

He chuckled. “So, are you thinking of the beach or mountains?”

“Whichever destination has you by my side, vowing to be my partner for life.” Her engagement ring screamed Christmas wedding, but she didn’t want to wait a full year to be his wife. She sat up a little straighter. “If we come up with something, I’ll send you the ideas to consider.”

“It’s a deal.”

She considered her next words carefully, not wanting to make a suggestion she would regret. “I’ll send you the Girl Christmas location because I’m sure you can still get a room.”

“You want me that close?”

He looked positively delighted at the prospect and her heart did another pirouette.

She nodded. “Why should Hannah and Seth have all the fun?”

“I didn’t realize Seth was tagging along,” Connor said.

She could see him calculating. It was exciting to be able to read him so well. To discover that she didn’t need to be an expert at people, in general, as long as she could read him.

“Not officially. But I know Hannah.” She smiled. “Like me, she wants her man close.”

“Do you think it will become Couples Christmas someday?”

“Maybe so.” The idea took root, warming her heart. “We could move Girl Christmas to July and start having real family Christmases together.”

She wanted that so badly. Though it felt a little awkward since Harper wasn’t even dating anyone right now. But as soon as she found her forever person… Sisters of choice might eventually grow into cousins of choice. It would lead to crazy family gatherings. Sonya could already imagine children running amok on Christmas morning, in matching jammies, tearing open presents.

Happy children.

She’d written off the very idea of children when she’d left her family behind, more than a little afraid the poor examples of her childhood would rub off on any offspring. Those fears were gone now. She wasn’t in a rush for motherhood and yet the idea of having babies with Connor’s eyes put a smile in her heart as bright and far-reaching as a rainbow.

Her eyes filled with tears. In the years ahead of her there would be love, first and foremost. And with that love would be support and encouragement through the highs and lows. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d been this excited about the future.

“Look at that,” Connor said, wiping a tear from her cheek. “You’re getting sappy on me already. We haven’t even been engaged a week.”

She sighed against him, feeling so content and wonderful, despite the surge of emotion. “You love it.”

“Yes, I do.” His arms banded around her. “Almost as much as I love you.”

She was the luckiest woman in the world and she reveled in the feeling. Her happiness, though bright and new, shimmered with the sweetest promise of forever.

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Thank you so much for reading Island Holiday!

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