Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
She smiled wide despite the pain the pulling caused. “Why would I when I’m already there?”
Epilogue
One Year Later
Winter stood with Nikki in the back room of Zach and Remy’s new establishment in East Hampton, ready to become Mrs. Harrison Dare. And Nikki was ready to become Mrs. Asher Dare. After all they’d been through, they decided a double wedding was exactly what the family needed. And the beachfront restaurant and bar was the perfect place for an intimate family affair. Or as intimate as it could be with all the Dares and Kingstons in attendance.
Although Winter had no desire to look back at the past, she couldn’t help but think about the highlights… and lowlights of the last year. Collette pled guilty by reason of insanity and landed herself in a cushy mental institution until the court decided she was competent to stand trial. Because heaven forbid her highness find herself in a state-run hospital like common people who’d committed a crime. The only consolation Winter had was that research, and Zach had assured her that most people who opted for Collette’s solution, ended up spending more time incarcerated than those who actually served judge or jury-imposed jail time.
So there was that.
On the happy side, Aurora and Jade had their babies one week apart. Jade and Knox named their little girl Sage. Aurora and Nick also had a daughter. Ellie had been named after Melissa Kingston, who’d taken Aurora into her home after her son, Linc, had found her pregnant at eighteen years old in Florida. Not many women would take in their deceased husband’s illegitimate child and Aurora considered Melly the only mother she had. Aside from Serenity, who’d brought her into the Dare fold, of course. Ellie was a mini replica of a now seven-year-old Leah who adored her baby sister.
Winter had her baby five months later. Also a girl, they’d named her Juliana, after Winter’s mom. Harrison immediately called her Jules, and it had stuck. His parents couldn’t wait to see their sons deal with teenage daughters when the time came and they, along with a still single Zach, were taking bets on the sex of future children that weren’t even in existence yet. Girls were the odds-on favorite for all the Dare sons.
“What are you smiling about?” Nikki asked.
Winter turned to her sister, who looked stunning in a beaded sheath dress with a halter neckline, an open back and sparkling tulle liner. Her olive skin was still tan from the summer sun and her long, raven-colored hair hung straight down her back. She was gorgeous and glowed with happiness.
“I was thinking about all the baby girls in the family and their overly protective dads.” She lifted her shoulder. “It’s just funny.”
“It is,” Nikki said but she didn’t sound like she’d paid attention to the answer and her eyes had taken on a faraway look.
Winter narrowed her gaze. “I was also saying that I’d announce my next pregnancy right before the first dance.” She studied her sister who barely registered she’d spoken.
Nikki hadn’t replied.
“Aha! I knew you weren’t listening.” Winter had gone for shock value to see if Nikki was paying attention. She was not pregnant again. In fact, she was still waking up at all hours of the night to care for the infant she did have. If her sister had heard and believed her, she would be freaking out and jumping up and down with excitement.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Nikki asked.
Careful not to touch her face and ruin her meticulously applied makeup, Winter pursed her lips and studied her sister. “You’re hiding something.”
A little smile lifted Nikki’s lips. “Did I tell you how gorgeous you look? I love your hair a little longer and the way it just grazes your shoulders now?” She chef-kissed with her fingers. “Perfecto!”
Winter had searched everywhere for a forgiving style that would hide the post-partum body that still hadn’t gone back to normal. And she found the perfect dress. An A-line gown with a v-neckline, patterned leaf appliqués over the sheer lace, a nude liner, and illusion long sleeves.
“Thank you and I love it, but you’re deflecting.”
A beaming smile lifted Nikki’s lips. “Fine. How about I announce my pregnancy before the first dance? Since you’re not really pregnant anyway.”
Winter screamed and danced around, beyond thrilled for her sister and Asher.
Thirty minutes later, the bridal procession began. The triplets played the role of ushers, escorting single women of all ages, and couples to their seats. At nineteen, they were extremely mature in appearance, looking more like well-built men than teenagers and girls swarmed all over them. They were definitely a handful for their parents to handle.
The first person to walk down the aisle was Winter’s matron of honor, her mentor, Erin Sawyer. Harrison had opted not to have a best man, so as not to piss off any of his brothers, who were his closest friends.