Epilogue

3 years later The temperature in Beijing was chilly, but Ry’s parka contained a built-in heating system to keep Team USA warm during the Opening Ceremony. The alpine team would be competing in Yanqing to the north, but no one wanted to miss tonight. Not if they wanted to experience all the Winter Games offered. He’d done this once before in Sochi, but it never got old.

Ry glanced around the staging area at the men and women dressed in matching red, white, and blue winter apparel. Laughter and hugs from friends old and new in the staging area for Team USA added to the festive atmosphere, as did his gorgeous wife standing next to him and bouncing on the toes of her boots.

He stared at Brynn who wore a USA beanie. “You’re so excited you can’t keep still.”

“Stop acting so chill,” she teased. Her eyes brimmed with anticipation. Competing at the Winter Games was a dream come true for her, as it was for everyone waiting to march in the Parade of Nations, including him. “Being here means as much to you as it does me.”

“It does.” Ry’s nerve endings tingled. Lowering his mouth to Brynn’s, he stole a kiss that heated him from the inside out. He might not need the jacket to heat him. She could do that with a touch of her lips. “I’m just having fun watching your reactions.”

Brynn nudged him with her shoulder. “That’s fine, but please make sure you enjoy your own.”

“I will.” Staring at her, his heart filled with joy. Something that would happen whether here or at home in the States. “But you’re glowing. It’s impossible to take my eyes off you.”

Her face brightened more. “I love you.”

He would never tire of hearing or saying those three words. “I love you.”

She wrapped her arms around him.

“Being here with you, both of us competing in the Games, I feel like I’m dreaming.”

“Best dream ever.”

Ry had believed nothing could match the intense emotions he’d felt marrying Brynn. His parents and hers—Coach and Deanna who were now married—didn’t understand the rush to get married after being together for only a few months, but Ry knew Brynn was the one. He hadn’t wanted to wait another day to start their life together; so, on a sunny day at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood with family and friends in attendance, they’d exchanged vows and she’d become Brynn Guyer. Leaving the Windham surname had been her choice.

But standing next to his wife, walking with her at the Beijing Opening Ceremonies, would be a close second to their wedding day.

Someone shouted U-S-A. Others joined in the cheer, including Brynn.

She looked up at him with an expression full of love. “We did it.”

For nearly three years, they’d worked and trained together to get to this point. He’d thought he needed to do everything on his own to make it, but Chas had been correct. Being with Brynn and working to make both their dreams come true was a million times better. It hadn’t been easy—both had faced setbacks—but neither had let the other give up. They’d pushed each other to do their best, always nearby with love when things didn’t go well and to celebrate when their plans worked out. He wouldn’t have wanted it to be any other way.

Satisfaction flowed through him. Ry kissed the top of her head. Well, her hat. “We did. And now we get to see what happens on the mountain.”

“You mean, we go for the gold.” Confidence overflowed. “Win.”

“Yes.” Only something changed for Ry on his journey to Beijing. The gold medal that had once been the driving force in his life was still part of his dreams, but if it came down to only one of them winning, he’d rather have Brynn wearing the medal than him. Oh, he’d give Chas a run for first place and knew in his heart he could beat his longtime friend and competitor, but Ry wanted to see his wife atop the podium with the National Anthem playing. She’d worked nonstop to make it back on the team. Winning would mean everything to her, and to him.

The signal to go was given.

Brynn let go of him. “This is it.”

She was it. He held her hand. “Enjoy every second.”

He gave her one more kiss, wanting to savor her sweet lips but knowing their team was moving.

Ry had thought nothing would be more important than racing and winning a gold medal, but Brynn was. Competing at these Winter Games would be thrilling—a dream come true. But whatever happened would be icing on the cake. He’d won what was most important in life…her love. And he would cherish that—and her—forever.