Firestorm - Ellie Masters Page 0,110
documented, chronicled as a feature article for Cage’s outdoor magazine.
We’ve been given assignments and tasks along the way, and honestly, I no longer mind the intrusiveness of it all. Instead, I feel overwhelmingly loved. I belong to a family greater than myself.
I found a new home filled with Asher’s love, the affection of his adorable brothers, the admiration of a woman I hope to one day call ‘Mom,’ and the joy of knowing Prescott and Gracie will always be a part of my life. They tie me to the past I wanted to forget, a past that should never be forgotten. They remind me of what it means to love unconditionally.
The woman I am today comes from that past, and honestly, I’m happy to have them in my life.
Prescott’s mind is at ease. We’ve sorted out survivorship of the trust, which holds the net worth of the Thornton name. If something happens to me, he knows exactly how to distribute my wealth. It’ll go to the charities my mother and father supported while they were alive. In that way, their memory lives on. We also decided to set aside money to form a foundation in memory of Prescott’s son, Justin. It’s a small thing, geared toward encouraging underprivileged youths to consider the law as a career. It’s something Justin would be proud to have in his name.
With Brody’s financial help, we’ve restructured my assets, and I no longer look upon my inheritance as a burden. Instead, I see it as a tool I can use to do incredible things.
For the first time, I’m happy. I’ve embraced my past and discovered a bright future awaits me.
Not that everything is wonderful. Ghosts haunt our future, specifically Felix Franklin. All charges of arson against me were dropped, but Felix remains free. Grant Malone organized a manhunt, but Felix is gone, disappeared until he surfaces again to cause trouble with the La Rouge triplets.
His feud with Asher and his brothers comes from accusations and convictions of attempted rape in high school and beyond. Asher, Brody, and Cage stood with the girls Felix assaulted. Those charges sent Felix to jail for eight years. It should’ve been much longer, but prisons are crowded. They must have commuted his sentence and released him early. Which brought Felix and my lives crashing together on a ridge overlooking Napa Valley.
Grant Malone assures us, once Felix is caught, he’ll be charged with several counts of felony arson and two counts of attempted murder. He’ll go away for the rest of his life.
Until then, we’ll be careful and vigilant. I never recovered my father’s revolver, but I carry a new one in the pack at my waist. This time, I’m legal, with appropriate concealed carry documentation to keep me within the law.
“Goddamn, but you take my breath away.” Asher’s words wash over me, stopping me in my tracks. I turn around, a smile fixed to my face, but then gasp when I see him on one knee.
Instead of following me up the trail, Asher holds a velvet box in his hand.
“Little backpack, I love you, and I always want to be by your side. I want you to be my wife. Once we finish this trail, that’s exactly what we’ll be; husband and wife. It’s all set up. All I need is for you to say yes.” He pops open the top of the box, revealing a slender ring with a diamond propped on top. “What do you say? Wanna get hitched?”
I stare at the ring and gape. The last time I wore a ring, it ended in disaster, but this time everything will be different.
His brows draw together. “Don’t leave me hanging, little backpack, answer the question, and make me the happiest man on earth.”
A smile fills my face and tears pool in my eyes. I stretch out my hand and wiggle my fingers. “Yes! Absolutely, yes!”
“You’re pretty when you blush.” Asher gets off his knee and slides the ring on my finger. Sunlight glitters off the diamond. While I stare at it, he cups my cheeks and presses his lips on mine.
I belong heart and soul to Asher La Rouge and can’t wait to begin our new life. Hand in hand, we take the next step. It’s the first step of two-hundred and twenty miles of backcountry trails and the first step of the rest of my life.
THE END
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