Alaskan Avalanche Escape
Author
Darlene L. Turner
Reads
15.3K
Chapters
1
EPILOGUE
Jayla followed Avery and Bryson to the Ogilwyn Mountain Pass as the golden sun kissed the horizon, sending gorgeous rays illuminating the sky and reminding her of God’s majesty. Herc brushed against her legs. Jayla shut her eyes and breathed in the late-summer air. She loved the mountains in every season. Each one brought its own uniqueness to the magnificent ambience, and Jayla couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d want to be right now. The man she loved was by her side, with a precious girl leaning against his legs. Plus, Herc rounded out the family she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Her life was complete. She fingered the cross pendant around her neck. She had released her guilt over Michael’s death and replaced his engagement ring with the symbol of her recommitment to Christ. Letting Michael go had been difficult, but God and Bryson had helped her overcome her insecurities.
Ethan Ingersoll had passed away from the flare gun shot. Chris and Philip were facing multiple charges for their crimes. The Warblow brothers had retained an expensive lawyer and were claiming innocence, but Jayla knew better. They had not only supplied Ethan with the dynamite but had also funded his expedition of marking the caves. Local authorities had rounded up Ethan’s hired thugs, including the female assassin. The illegal copper-mining ring in the Ogilwyn Pass had been dismantled, and once again peace reigned in their mountains.
Bryson and his father had long talks as they both worked through their guilt from Ellie’s death. Their relationship came out stronger, and they’d spent many hours together fishing on their favorite lake. Jayla had vowed to herself to become a better sister to all of her siblings and a better daughter to her parents by reaching out more often.
Sergeant Park had promoted her to the leader of Carimoose Bays Cross-Border Mountain Task Force. Their work on rebuilding a station was well underway, but the question remained. Where would Jayla and Bryson’s relationship take them? She was content with either Alaska or the Yukon, as long as they remained in the mountains. It was where they both longed to stay.
“I love every season on top of Ogilwyn.” Jayla gazed at the peaks across from them.
“Me too.” Bryson held her hand tight. “Do you think I should tell Avery now?”
Jayla turned and stared into his blue eyes. “I do.”
“Tell me what, Uncle Bry?” Avery asked, her face brightening.
Bryson squatted in front of her. “I’m adopting you. You’re going to be my daughter, Avery Clarke.”
She squealed, her eyes widening. “Really?”
“Really.”
Avery wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, Daddy. Can I call you that now?”
Bryson let out an audible gasp at the little girl’s use of Daddy. “Of course. Love you, too, Squirt.”
She stepped back. “Is it time?”
What did that mean?
Bryson nodded and pulled a box from his pocket, then bent down on one knee. But instead of opening it, he handed it to Avery and winked.
She held it out to Jayla, lifting the cover. “Will you be my mama?” An ear-to-ear grin exploded on her sweet face.
Jayla’s jaw dropped. “Is this your way of proposing, Bry?”
He plucked out the ring. “It sure is. I love you with all my heart, Jayla Hoyt. Will you marry me?”
She dropped to her knees. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Avery giggled. “That’s a lot of yeses.”
Jayla chuckled and held Bryson’s face in her hands, tugging him closer. “I love you, too, my prince.” She kissed his lips.
“Ew,” Avery said. “Put the ring on, Daddy.”
Hercules barked and nestled between Jayla and Bryson, breaking their hold.
“See, Herc agrees.” Avery jumped up and down. “Come on!”
Jayla held out her hand. “Yeah, Daddy.” She snickered.
Bryson slid the ring snug on her finger and hauled her up to her feet.
“Show her the other present.” Avery danced a circle around them.
“You mean there’s more?” Jayla’s throat clogged at the thought of anything else.
Bryson retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and swiped the screen. “This is my wedding present to you.”
She tilted her head, a smile twitching. “So you were expecting me to say yes?”
He raised a brow as his lips tilted upward, turning his grin into a dance. “Bertie told me you would.”
“Bertie?”
“I’ve gone back to visit him many times. He’s the one who mentioned this.” He turned the phone in her direction. “It’s ours.”
Jayla leaned in for a better look and covered her mouth with both hands to contain her excitement. Could it be true?
The image of a log-style ranch resting at the foot of a mountain and at the edge of a lake stared back at her.
Her dream home. “You bought this? Where is it?”
“On the Alaska–Yukon border. Right in the middle of both our stations. The perfect solution to all our discussions.”
Herc barked.
“Yes, the perfect spot for you, too, bud.” Bryson tousled the dog’s ears. “What do you think, Jay?”
“I absolutely love it, and I love you.” She squealed and launched herself into his arms. She pushed back and studied his handsome face. “You are a treasure from God.”
A golden-crowned sparrow trilled its three-note song as if in agreement before it fluttered off into the distance.
Jayla smiled and leaned against Bryson, staring at the horizon as the sun rose higher, bringing a spectacular yellow-orange display.
And hope for a better tomorrow filled with promises.
God had listened to her prayers, saved her from wickedness and brought her back from the abyss, clearly revealing her worthiness. After all, she was His workmanship, and she’d praise Him forever.
From the mountaintop.
If you liked this story from Darlene L. Turner, check out her previous Love Inspired Suspense books:
Border Breach
Abducted in Alaska
Lethal Cover-Up
Safe House Exposed
Fatal Forensic Investigation
Explosive Christmas Showdown
Available now from Love Inspired Suspense!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Guarding His Child by Karen Kirst.
