Rescuing Baylee (Nightshade #3)

Epilogue

The bride wore a soft blush colored dress. It was a little unconventional, but now that Baylee had seen the venue, she understood why she’d chosen the color.

They were outside of San Antonio, and it was a dry, late summer looking into fall. The vegetation of the area had turned golden. It wasn’t peak color, yet, but that short span of time in between, a transition time.

They were on Lauren’s property, on the back property line. It was a beautiful little forested area with a rock stream cutting through, and Baylee could tell they’d done a lot of work back here, clearing brush to get ready for the wedding. She’d been here before for Rex’s birthday celebration a few months ago. When she’d heard they were doing an outdoor wedding, she’d been a little leery, but it was truly beautiful.

They were sitting on old church pews, and there were little bundles of pampas grass in a range of colors decorating the ends of the pews, as well as a rustic arch where Rex and Lauren would take their vows. Lauren had chosen a range of fall colors, and they fit into the environment perfectly. Baylee could see the shine of glass twinkle lights in the trees that would come on when the sun went down for the reception.

“This little spot is just magical,” Baylee whispered, leaning into Landon’s shoulder.

He nodded, reclining back against the pew. The seating was filling up, and the ceremony would start within the next ten minutes. There was an interesting mix of people walking in. When she saw several members from the Delta team, along with their wives, she teared up a little. Truck she had seen before, because he hung out with Rex regularly.

“Are you okay?” Landon whispered.

She nodded, but she couldn’t say anything right then. Once she got a hold of her emotions, she leaned into him. “Most of the group that walked in are the Delta team that rescued us from Nightshade.”

Brows raised, he glanced over the men, and she knew he understood what dangerous characters they were. She had told Landon about that night from beginning to end. It was strange talking to someone about it other than her counselor, but once she was done, and had answered all his questions, a strange sense of calm had settled over her. Landon had simply taken her in his arms and held her for a very long time. Then he’d told her what an amazing human being she was, to have survived that and come out with her psyche intact.

Landon finally understood that being responsible for Olivia’s leg amputation was more traumatizing than the rape and killing the men who had done it.

“I don’t know Olivia,” he’d said, “but I have a feeling she’s told you that you did the right thing. I would lose both legs if it meant I would live to come home.”

She had sobbed then and let him cradle her as she released years of grief and heartache.

That night had changed something in her. She felt lighter in her skin, and more open with people.

Landon had changed, too. He was still leery about following in his dad’s abusive footsteps, but she thought the fear had receded a little.

“You’d never hit a woman like that,” Baylee had argued. “let alone a child. It’s not in you, Landon.”

He didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he was committed to trying to be his best for her. It made her love him all the harder.

Landon still had his stuff at his apartment, but he ate, slept and made love to her at her apartment. He’d all but moved in. Mrs. Traeger had cackled when she’d caught them exiting the apartment together, but she’d winked at them, too.

They pulled into the driveway right after Olivia and Connor, who had just unloaded the kids. Olivia was in a flowing dress, laughing and smiling as she swung the baby carrier out of the car like a pro. Connor got Jessamy out on the other side, and they waited as a family as Baylee walked toward them. As she looked at a beaming Olivia, Baylee finally felt at peace with her own actions that day so many years ago. She hugged Olivia for a long time, and her friend seemed to sense that something had happened. “We’ll talk later,” she whispered, and Baylee nodded.

Landon had hugged Olivia like a long-lost friend, and Baylee could tell that he and Connor had hit it off as well. When big, muscle-y Rex had come out onto the porch, Landon had sized him up. Then he’d bumped Connor’s shoulder. “I think we can take him,” he’d said, and they’d all laughed.

There was a sense of rightness as Baylee watched Landon interact with her very best friends. A sense of everything being settled in the world. In that perfect little wooded glade, she watched Lauren walk down the aisle, and didn’t even try to stop the tears. Big, gruff Rex wiped away his own tears as he vowed to love and protect Lauren and her son, and the kiss was so poignant.

One of these days, she would be the one walking down the aisle, and she was sure she would cry even more then.

They had all been through hell. And they’d all carried the physical and emotional scars from that time. It was so gratifying to see them moving on, though, and letting that painful past go.

There were great things ahead for them.