Mr. Mountain

“I love you.” I leaned over and kissed her on the side of her cheek.

“I love you, too.” She looked over to me and I could see contentment in her eyes.

WE SPENT A FEW DAYS together in the new cabin before she finally had to go back to school. It was like a part of me broke off and left with her, leaving me fractured without my blonde goddess there with me. I watched her car until it was gone and prepared once again to weather the storm of loneliness that was to follow. The one thing I knew without question was that she would be back. I could survive our time apart as long as I had her promise to hold onto.

She knew where she belonged.

Epilogue: Heather

Leaving the cabin was the hardest thing I had ever done. I was head over heels in absolute love with Shane Black. I didn’t know how I was going to tell my family that I was planning to move to the mountains and live with him after graduation. It would be difficult to explain the emotional connection I had with him.

He was more than my rescuer and more than the man who took my virginity. He was my destiny, my soul mate, and my forever. I felt tears in my eyes as I drove, a stark sense of despair creeping in my heart, and a crushing feeling in my chest. I felt like school was just motions I had to go through to get back to him.

I VISITED SHANE EVERY time I could, even making random weekend trips when my schoolwork would allow it. As my final semester came calling, my last winter break was threatened by another storm. I wanted to visit Shane, but my parents were insistent I return home before the storm began.

I agreed out of respect, but my heart ached when I drove in the opposite direction of my beloved. I arrived at their house as a few flakes of snow fell, and quickly walked inside. The living room was decorated for the holidays like I remembered from my childhood and that brought a smile to my face.

“Welcome home, honey.” I heard my father’s voice.

“Daddy!” I ran over and gave him a hug.

“I know you’re not a big fan of Christmas with the family, but I’m happy you decided to come home this year.” He leaned back and smiled at me. “Your mother and I didn’t like the idea of you being away during a storm.”

“Yeah…” I still hadn’t told them the truth, but the time was approaching. There was no reason to ruin the holidays though, so I just nodded.

“We did get you an early present though.” He stepped to the side and I flushed red with surprise.

“Shane!?” I stared in disbelief. He was literally standing in my living room.

“Hello, Heather.” His face stretched to a grin beneath his beard.

“Daddy? Shane?” I looked between them. “What is going on here?”

“Do you think we didn’t know where you were spending all of your time?” My father asked. “You have been a ghost for the last couple of years and it took me some time to put it together, but I’m no fool.”

“You told them?” I asked Shane.

“I wasn’t going to lie to your parents.” Shane shrugged. “They deserve to know I love their daughter.”

“Daddy… I…” I stumbled over my words.

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Heather.” My father’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a grown woman. Shane and I had a long talk today. I’d be proud to call him my son-in-law.”

“Son-in-law?” I looked over at Shane. He approached and knelt.

“Heather Westbrook.” His hand reached into his pocket.

Is this happening? Is this for real?

“Oh my God!” I practically jumped out of my shoes as he took my hand.

“Will you marry me?” He pulled out a wooden box and opened it—a gorgeous diamond sparkled on top of a gold band.

“Of course, I will!” I nodded furiously as he removed the ring and slipped it on my finger.

“Yay!” I heard my mother’s voice. She ran into the room and hugged me.

I burst into tears as I hugged my mother and my father, but I cried even harder when Shane took me into his arms. He had made everything r