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Snowed in With My Small Town Billionaire Epilogue Gwen 100%
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Epilogue Gwen

I t wasn’t hard for Gwen to figure out where Sawyer lived. Everything was on the internet, and it wasn’t like Meadow Springs was a sprawling metropolis. Her heart raced as she pulled into the driveway of his cozy well-kept house. She glanced at the bouquet of red roses, box of chocolates, and red wine was the best plan in the world, but it was the best she could come up with. It’s not like she had the time to run out and buy an engagement ring for him, even if that was a thing.

She got out of her car, feeling a little silly with the flowers, candy, and wine, but she’d seen a post on social media not too long ago that said men, even the tough, burly men like Sawyer, appreciated it when a woman brought them flowers and treats because it meant that the woman was thinking about them. Besides, it would be interesting to see the look on Sawyer’s face when she gave the gifts to him.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she walked up to his front door. Regardless of what Abby and her mother said, she was terrified that once she turned Sawyer down, he would shut the door on her and any possibility of a relationship with her.

She knocked and heard a deep bark coming from inside the house. A few minutes later, the door opened. Sawyer’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped when he saw her standing on his porch.

“Gwen. What are you doing here?” he asked in disbelief.

She smiled, trying to calm the thousands of butterflies dancing in her stomach. “I came to talk to you. Can I come in?”

He stepped aside and opened the door for her. She stepped inside and looked around. It was very neat, just as she had imagined it would be. Three of the walls were covered with pictures of his family. The overstuffed furniture looked inviting. A huge flat-screen television was on the fourth wall.

She looked at him. He was tall and his T-shirt did nothing to hide his muscular arms and chest. Sawyer was definitely an incredibly sexy man and Gwen had to stop herself from throwing herself into his arms.

“Nice place,” she said, suddenly feeling shy.

“Thanks. So, what’s with the flowers?”

She grinned. “I decided that it would be good to turn the tables, so to speak, and bring you flowers. I also brought chocolate and wine.”

He grinned and took them from her. “I don’t have a vase. I guess my pitcher will do.”

Gwen followed him into the kitchen and watched him fill a clear glass pitcher with water and mix in the sugary food solution. He cut the stems at a forty-five-degree angle and put the flowers in the pitcher, then set it on the table.

“They’re beautiful. Thank you.” He smiled at her and said, “I’m sure that you didn’t come all this way to give me gifts.”

She shook her head and stepped closer to him. “No. I don’t care what my father thinks. I love you. I’m in love with you. These last few days have been miserable and I can’t stand the thought of spending the rest of my life with this empty feeling inside of me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you if your offer still stands.”

Sawyer’s eyes searched her face as though he was trying to make sure that he heard her right. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m positive. I told my father earlier today that I was choosing you.”

He grinned and wrapped his arms around her. “Of course, I still want to marry you,” he whispered, his voice full of emotion. I want that more than anything.”

Sawyer lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers. It was a long, passionate, hot, wet kiss that ignited fires inside of Gwen that she never knew existed. She wanted this man more than she had wanted anything in the world and the aching need to touch him and love him was overwhelming.

Gwen suddenly stumbled back when a large white and brown bear-like dog jumped on her.

“Bubba, down. You know better than to jump on people.”

She wrapped her arms around the dog and smiled. “Don’t listen to him. You’re a good dog. You’re not going to eat my cat, Mochi, are you?”

“Don’t worry about that. He’s extremely gentle, even with cats.”

Sawyer looked at Gwen. “I don’t believe in long engagements.”

“Me either,” she said.

“How does a month sound?”

“A month? Can we get something organized that quickly?” she asked incredulously.

He smiled widely. “You don’t know my mother.”

****

A month later, Gwen was in Willow’s bedroom. Although Willow was several years younger than Gwen, she remembered her, and the two women hit it off quickly. Taylor, Talia, and Sadie were also incredibly warm and welcoming. The room was full, as Abby, Samantha, Maddie, and Emilia were sitting on the bed.

“How much longer until you’re done?” Gwen asked. “I’ve been sitting in this chair for hours.”

“Quit fussing. It hasn’t been that long. Besides, you want your hair to be perfect for your wedding day. You don’t want a bunch of messed hair to ruin your wedding pictures, do you?”

“Don’t worry. She did it to each of us, too. It’s a right of passage. Willow gets to do your hair and your makeup,” Taylor said. “I don’t even wear makeup and she had me looking like a high fashion runway model.”

Everyone laughed. Gwen had quickly learned that Taylor was more at home on a horse and was just as able a ranch hand as Robert and Sam. Talia was the head nurse of the ICU at Meadow Springs Hospital, while Sadie was an intern. Her specialty was trauma medicine.

Audrey sat on the bed watching her. She smiled warmly at the five young women.

“You know that we’re all going to call you Mom, too, right,” Willow said. “That’s what we call Taylor’s mom, too.”

“It’ll be an honor to have a whole bunch of daughters. She looked at Gwen and added, “And maybe some granddaughters, too.”

Gwen blushed. “Until then, there are a whole bunch of little ones you can spoil as much as you want.”

Finally, Willow finished with her hair. Gwen had to admit that she loved the way her dark brown hair hung in curls down her back.

“Now for the dress,” Audrey said. She looked at the other women and said, “I wore it when I married her father. We didn’t have to get it altered too much. Gwen is just a little shapelier than I was.”

Gwen blushed.

Willow put the veil on and clapped her hands. “You look absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Gwen said.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“It must be Brent. I guess it’s time,” Audrey said.

Brent had been over the moon excited at the prospect of walking Gwen down the aisle.

Audrey opened the door and gasped. “Jerome. What are you doing here?”

His face flushed bright red. “I was wondering if I could talk to Gwen, alone.”

Audrey looked at Gwen, who nodded.

“We’ll be right outside,” Audrey said, her tone warning Jerome that he’d better not step out of line.

“Dad. Why are you here?”

“I came to tell you that I’m sorry and ask you to forgive me.”

“What?” Gwen asked, disbelievingly. “Why the sudden turnaround?”

“Your mother had a long talk with me. She told me the exact same thing that you did. She also said that I was the one tearing the family apart. Your mom told me that she and Brent were going to be a part of your life and I was going to be spending a lot of time alone if I didn’t pull my head out of the sand. I was suddenly losing control of my life.” He took a huge breath of air. “I realized that I was going to lose everything, just like I lost Kyle. I don’t want that.”

Gwen studied his face, trying to figure out whether she could trust him.

“I promise that I’ve realized that I was wrong. I will apologize to Sawyer and I’ll make things right.”

After a minute, Gwen smiled. “Of course, I forgive you. I love you.”

“I love you, too. I was wondering if you would let me do the honor of walking you down the aisle.”

She hesitated for a minute.

“If you don’t want me to, I understand. I promise I’ll behave.”

“I already told Brent that he could.”

“One of us on each side?” he grinned.

“I would love that. Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

Audrey raised her eyebrows questioningly when Gwen opened the door.

“Dad asked if he could walk me down the aisle with Brent.”

Audrey looked at him sharply.

He held up his hands in surrender. “I promise. I’ll be good.”

Just then, Brent ran up the stairs, followed by Lucas, who would escort Abby down. The rest of the women headed downstairs to take their places among the guests.

They walked outside and Gwen waited, with Brent and Jerome, at the end of the aisle. The trees were decorated with fairy lights. There were pink and white flowers everywhere. Caroline had wanted streamers and balloons, but Gwen protested that would be too much.

Gwen’s heart thudded in her chest and she struggled to breathe as she looked at the chairs filled with people. There had to be at least fifty people attending and this was just the ceremony. She couldn’t imagine how many people would be at the reception. However, everyone faded when she spotted Sawyer standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for her at the altar.

The music started and everyone stood. The three of them slowly walked down the aisle until they reached the altar.

“Who gives the bride away?” Brother Ayhart asked.

“I do,” Jerome said.

He looked Sawyer square in the face and nodded. Sawyer smiled and nodded back. Jerome placed her hands in Sawyer’s, and then he and Brent took their seats.

She looked into Sawyer’s brown eyes and saw love and passion. She bit her bottom lip and smiled as she knew this man owned her heart.

Brother Ayhart opened his Bible and started to speak.

“Dear friends and family, we gather here today in the presence of God and of one another to witness and celebrate the union of Gwen and Sawyer. Today, they make a sacred commitment to walk this life together, hand in hand, in love, and in faith.

Marriage is a covenant, a promise of love, honor, and devotion. It is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, thoughtfully, and with deep joy. Gwen and Sawyer have chosen to build their lives together, and they now stand before us to declare their love and their intentions.

As we stand together in this beautiful setting, surrounded by nature’s majesty, let us remember that love, too, is a creation of beauty. It is a gift that requires nurture, patience, and grace. Today, Gwen and Sawyer give themselves to one another, not only for this day but for every day that follows.”

Gwen is certain that she heard her mother sniffle as though she was crying.

“They have elected to say their own vows. Sawyer.”

“Gwen, you have changed my life. You challenge me, you make me better, and you’ve shown me what it means to truly love. I promise to stand by your side through the good times and the hard times, to be your rock when life feels uncertain, and to never stop fighting for us. You are my heart and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you more than words can say, and I vow to spend every day showing you just how much.”

Tears welled up in Gwen’s eyes as she heard the truth in Sawyer’s deep voice.

“Gwen.” Brother Ayhart said.

“Sawyer, you’ve been my anchor when I felt lost, my laughter when I felt down, and my light when things seemed dark. You helped me breathe when I was so terrified and helped me find my strength. I promise to love you with all that I am, to stand by you in every storm, and to always choose you—because you are my person. With you, I know I can face anything. You are my greatest adventure, and I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”

A hush fell over the crowd, their eyes locked, as their love for one another swirled around them in the cool afternoon air.

“With these vows exchanged, and with the love you both share, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Sawyer, you may kiss your bride.”

Sawyer gently cupped Gwen’s face, leaning in as their lips met in a kiss filled with promise and joy. The guests erupted in applause, but for Gwen and Sawyer, it felt like the world had paused for just a second, letting them savor the beginning of their forever.

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