Epilogue
Warm water cascadedover Hope's shoulders, washing away the lingering scent of smoke from the evening's barbecue. She closed her eyes, savoring the quiet moment after hours of celebration. Colin had outdone himself with the surprise party, having transformed the ranch's courtyard into a festive gathering space for her forty-first birthday.
Hope smiled as she recalled the unexpected guests who had arrived this afternoon. Charlotte Carmichaels Takahashi and her younger husband Sano had flown in from San Antonio specifically for the celebration. With them were "San Antonio's Finest Eligibles"—four devastatingly handsome billionaires who'd apparently been friends with Charlotte's late FBI agent husband. The men had immediately bonded with Colin, falling into conversation as if they'd known each other for years rather than hours. Their inside jokes and easy camaraderie had transformed Colin from reserved host to relaxed participant, a side of him few people ever witnessed.
But the real revelation had come when the wives had pulled Hope aside during dessert, their expressions conspiratorial as they shared champagne on the veranda.
"Charlotte's quite proud of her success rate," Isla had commented with a knowing smile.
"Success rate?" Hope had questioned, glancing toward where Charlotte stood chatting with the gathered husbands.
"All of us," Hilary had clarified with a sweet smile, gesturing around their intimate circle. "We're just like you..."
It took her a moment to understand what this meant.
Oh!
"You mean..."
The four Heart's Match wives nodded.
"But you all seem so..."
"Perfect for each other?"
"Yes!'
"If you only saw how Nicholas and I were at first," Tabitha said with a wrinkle of her nose, "when he thought I was more suitable for his son."
"Or Logan and me," Tilly said with a grin. "I started out as his nephew's nanny, you know."
Hope turned her face into the shower spray, letting water sluice away the day's makeup. Their stories had reassured her in ways she hadn't realized she needed. The unusual beginning of her relationship with Colin wasn't a flaw to be overcome or a secret to be hidden, but simply the first chapter in a continuing story.
All of this, God. It's because of You. Only You.
The shower door opened behind her, cool air briefly interrupting the steam before Colin's warm presence filled the space. His hands settled at her waist, lips finding the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder.
"Happy birthday," he murmured against her skin, the warm water creating rivulets between their bodies.
Hope leaned back against him, accepting his solid strength. "Thank you," she whispered, steam swirling around them in delicate patterns.
Colin gently guided her toward the built-in marble ledge at the far end of the spacious shower, sitting down and drawing her onto his lap. Water cascaded over them both, catching the light in diamond-like droplets against his bronzed skin. His hands settled at her waist, thumbs tracing small circles that felt both comforting and intimate.
Her husband looked down at her, his dark eyes softening as they met hers through the misty air, his gaze questioning. It was obvious he had sensed instinctively that it wasn't just the party she was being grateful for, and just this inexplicable connection alone...
Even this was a gift from God,Hope thought, and speaking of gifts...
"Thank you," she whispered again, droplets clinging to her eyelashes as she blinked up at him.
"For what,kyria?" His voice was low, barely audible above the steady rhythm of water against tile.
"For being in this journey with me." She was already crying even before she finished speaking, her tears mingling with the shower spray streaming down her cheeks, her heart feeling so full as the loveliest memories played in her mind. Colin saying yes to praying with her. And later on, Colin reading the Bible on his own. And her husband even being the first to wake up to have quiet time with God.
Colin brushed wet strands of hair from her face, the tenderness in his touch making her heart clench.
"I love you, Hope."
