by Kate Tilney
Epilogue
Rhett
One Year Later
“Don’t worry. It’ll be great.”
Emmy has said that phrase—or some version of it—at least five times in as many minutes.
“You’ll be a natural.”
“Everyone will love you.”
And, my personal favorite, “I need you to get it together, please.”
Of course she thinks it’ll be great. She video chats with her readers all the time. How I got roped into doing one of these is beyond me.
Then Emmy runs her hands up and down my shoulders and presses her lips to my chin. Okay, I know why I’m doing this. I’d do anything for this woman, the love of my life. She saved me from a lonely and bleak existence. The least I can do is answer some questions from her fans.
“Okay. I’m ready.”
Though, I don’t sound ready. Emmy seems to have noticed that too. Because she’s fighting a grin as she types in a message telling Byron we’re good to go. Of course she thinks this is hilarious. I’m the guy who regularly tracks bears and builds furniture with his bare hands. Here I am freaking out about being on camera.
I tug at the collar of my shirt, but Emmy’s stills my hand.
“They’re going to love you.” She leans up to press a kiss to my chin, and my heart settles. “In fact, I’m worried they’re going to love you so much, I’ll have to fight them off with a stick.”
And so I’m smiling and slightly more relaxed when Byron begins his introduction on screen from New York.
“Hey there, Lake Ladies. Thanks for tuning in for another virtual Q&A with our very own Emmerson Lake tuning in from her home in the Montana wilderness.” Byron may have missed his calling. He could’ve been a newscaster. “One of the questions we hear most often is ‘Where do you get your inspiration to write such hot heroes?’ I know more than a few of you have fallen hard for Lord Edward Rogan, the dark, handsome, and brooding hotty in her latest release, The Ice of Men. Well, ladies, do I have a treat for you. Tonight we have none other than the man behind the lord. The one. The only. Mr. Lake.”
“That’s for anonymity,” Emmy whispers.
“I know.”
With a squeeze of my hand, Emmy launches into a longer introduction. She tells the readers how we met. How I saved her from a fire and a bear attack that turned out to be a deer. It all sounds way more impressive than it really was, but she’s the writer, not me.
I’d be lying if it didn’t warm my heart watching her face light up as she tells the story of how we fell in love.
“We got married a couple of months later,” she says. “Nothing big or flashy. Just our closest friends and family here in the mountains. Byron was my man of honor. Rhett’s mother was his best woman. After that we added on to the cabin. A couple of bedrooms. A bigger workshop in the back. Rhett actually did most of the work himself, when he wasn’t busy building his custom furniture. They’re in such high demand.”
My neck grows hot under the collar as she sings my praises. Damn, but I love this woman.
“We have our first reader question,” Byron says. “It’s for you, Rhett.”
I nod.
“What do you think about your wife’s work? And how do you feel being her inspiration?”
I shift in my chair. “I think Emmy is incredible at everything she does. Including her books. I’m proud of her.” I clear my throat. “I’m flattered she says I inspire her. But the truth is, she inspires me to be a better man every day.”
Dozens of hearts pop up on the screen as readers respond. New messages flash up on the screen faster than I can read them. But I catch one that says “swoon city.”
“Next question. For you, Emmerson. What are you working on next?”
“Being here in the mountains, and being in love, has definitely lit a fire in me as a writer,” Emmy says. “I’ve been writing up a storm the past year. I’ll have a couple of new releases for you soon. And that’s a good thing, because . . . ” She exchanges a look with me, and I nod. “I’ll be taking a little time off in a few months.”
Sad faces flood the screen.
“Just a short break,” she rushes out. “My husband and I are working on a joint project.”
Before anyone can ask what she means, I help a Emmy rise to her feet. She turns to her side and smoothes down her dress, revealing her baby bump.
The screen explodes again with new messages, but I only have eyes for Emmy. A year ago she gave me her heart. In a couple of months, she’ll give me a son or daughter. And every day for the rest of our lives, she’ll fill my life with joy and wonder.
I’m a lucky man. I don’t think anyone—not even my brilliant wife—could have written a better story for me.
***
Thanks for reading RHETT. Want more mountain men? MAX is coming on February 12.
Ash
When my environmental law firm gets hired to investigate a major corporation’s suspicious activity in the Montana wilderness, I need to see what’s up for myself.
I hire a former colleague in the area to navigate the rough terrain. Time has been good to him. So good, it’s hard to stay focused on work.
Max
I left corporate law behind and swore I’d never look back. But when the one who got away—the woman who still haunts my dreams—asks for help, I can’t deny her.
Now, I’ll do everything I can to protect her. Even if it means risking my own life.
Kings of the Mountain is a series of steamy, sweet, insta love short story romances. Check out MAX if you like strong, curvy heroines and alpha heroes who find second chances—and love—in the face of danger.
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Thank you for reading!
XOXO
Kate
Also by Kate Tilney
Extra Long Weekend
BROCK: Kings of the Mountain #1
FLINT: Kings of the Mountain #2
RHETT: Kings of the Mountain #3
MAX: Kings of the Mountain #4
ZEKE: Kings of the Mountain #5
About the Author
Kate Tilney writes short and sweet steamy romances with alpha heroes and the relatable heroines who love them. When she isn't curled up with a good story, Kate can be found listening to true crime podcasts, re-watching TV shows from her youth, and dreaming up another happily ever after.