Epilogue
Asher laughed at Eden’s nervousness. It was a new look for her. “You know they won’t care if the food doesn’t come out right on time. As long as the beer is cold, they’re good.”
The doorbell rang.
“Oh no, somebody’s on time.”
“Well, sure,” Asher smiled.
“Oh, God.” Eden disappeared into the kitchen.
“Is she always like this?” he asked her friend, Samantha Brooks. Sam was staying with them for the weekend and had agreed to man the tables in the backyard.
“I’ve never seen her like this. It’s a totally new phenomenon. What have you done to her in the last four months, Ash?”
“Nothing, I swear.”
Sam took a sip of her beer. “Now, that’s certainly not true, I’ve gotten some details.” She smirked.
Asher felt his face heat. How come my teammates can give me shit all day long, but the idea of one of Eden’s friends knowing something about our sex life scares the hell out of me?
“I’m going to go see if I can help the hostess, but everything is perfect in the kitchen. I’ll see if there’s a paper bag for her to breathe into.”
That caught Asher up short. “Do you think it’s that bad?”
The doorbell rang again.
“Go answer the door. Eden will be fine.”
When Asher got to the door, he was confronted with a big bowl of potato salad, courtesy of A.J. McNamara. “I figured that Eden could use some reinforcements. I also brought tequila for her and me. Maybe Carys too, if she isn’t on-call.”
Standing behind her, Kane shrugged.
“Actually, I think a shot would be welcome at this point. For some reason, she’s freaking out.” Asher explained.
“Of course, she is. This is the first party she’s hosted with your team, and it’s in your new house. She wants it to be perfect.” She tilted her head. “Is the kitchen that way?”
Asher nodded.
A.J. left to provide aid and comfort in the form of tequila.
“I need a beer,” Asher said to Kane.
Kane laughed as he slapped him on the back. “Nice place you have here. I assume it’s all Eden’s doing?”
“Except for the garage. That’s where the beer is.”
“I didn’t see one when I pulled up into your driveway.”
“That’s because it’s detached and out back. It’s pretty slick.” Asher made sure to go outside using the kitchen’s sliding glass door so he could check on Eden. What he saw made him smile. She and Sam were both laughing at something A.J. was saying. Eden was looking a lot less stressed. Asher relaxed.
“When are you going to ask her to marry you?” Kane asked as they made their way to the garage.
She’s going to Europe next week to meet with the prosecutors on Becker’s case. I’m flying out to Montana to talk to her dad. Trust me, there is no way I can ask her until I’ve asked his permission.”
“For real?” Kane asked as they got to the garage.
“I’m just happy I don’t have to ask all her brothers, too.”
Asher opened a cooler and pulled out two beers. He looked up and saw Raiden, Nic, and Ezio coming their way. He pulled out three more.
Eden leaned into Asher as they sat on the picnic bench together. “You did good,” he whispered into her hair.
She looked around at all of the empty bowls and platters. Since everybody had a plastic container of food to take home if they wanted it, she felt like it was a success. Now people were all settled and spending time talking. Yep, the party was a success. She’d wanted that for Asher.
“When do we get to kick them out?” Asher asked.
She looked up into his blue eyes and laughed. “They’ll probably leave by midnight.”
He groaned. “That long?”
“Sam’s staying here anyway.”
“Her bedroom is upstairs. Everything’s good.” He stroked her lower back. She loved how he could get her hot and bothered by just a touch.
“It’s a shame Lawson couldn’t make it,” Eden said.
“Yeah, he was looking forward to it. But missions come up.”
“Do you think he’ll finally get some help?” After hearing Asher’s last phone call with his brother, she was really hopeful.
“I think so. But I’ll have to see it to believe it.”
Eden put her arms around Asher, trying to give him comfort.
“It’s okay, Honey. I’m not giving up.”
“No, you never do,” she smiled up at him. “You’re it for me, Asher Thorne. I love you.”
He looked around their backyard. Everybody was happy, full, and occupied. Asher stood up, drawing Eden up with him.
As he pulled her inside, she laughed. “We can’t.”
“Oh, we absolutely can.”
He walked her down the hall, tugged her into their bedroom, locked the door, and pulled Eden into his arms.
“Eden, your trust in me is a gift. Thank you for that. I love you; body, heart, mind, and soul.”
He was her gift. He was the man she would always choose to protect her.
“Did you see that?” Samantha Brooks laughed up at Ezio Stark. “I think we’ve been abandoned by our hosts.”
Ezio looked down at the beautiful blonde who he’d been talking to half the night. “I did see that. I think that means we could make our getaway. What do you say?”
THE END
Read Ezio and Samantha’s Story in Her Intense Protector, Night Storm Book 4
Read Lawson and Jill’s Story in Lawson & Jill, Night Storm Legacy Novel 1
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author, Caitlyn O'Leary, adores writing Military Romantic Suspense and Paranormal Romance. She started publishing books in 2014. Storytelling has been a tradition in her family for years, and she still holds on to the letters she has received from family members since her childhood.
Caitlyn lives in California with her husband John of sixteen years who often makes
