Epilogue
Lily
At my first wedding, there hadn’t been that many people. All my siblings had shown. I’d chosen a simple white dress that could double as a summer party dress. My in-laws had been dour-faced and disapproving. Carter had been a smooth talker, and I’d been excited to jump right into a family. Yet I hadn’t been able to escape the feeling that the mood of the day had been a warning sign for the marriage.
My second wedding had a desperate cloud over it. Eliot had been quiet but kind and maybe a little confused. I had been timid and upset at myself and the world for putting me in such a position. Yet I hadn’t felt like a dark cloud hung over us. Just a resigned one.
This was still my second marriage, but my third wedding. Eliot was in crisp black jeans and a white dress shirt. His dark hair was ruffled from the light wind, and he’d left the scruff on his face because I’d asked him to. I wore a flowing, off-the-shoulder wedding dress. I had on a new pair of cowboy boots underneath.
Bug had behaved very well for the vow renewal ceremony on our property. There were a lot of kids who were wrangling him, and now he wandered freely, completely played out but unwilling to nap through the excitement.
The old red barn had been our ceremony backdrop and the whole day was perfect. Laughter rang across the lawn. The sounds of kids’ delighted screams and yells while they played were the perfect music.
Aunt Linda had happily signed off on our marriage as legit, and then she and Uncle Darren took off on a trip to Alaska.
All of Eliot’s family was here. I couldn’t have asked for better in-laws. I had a large group of friends who were now family. Sutton, Aggie, Tova, and Vienne had incorporated me into their dart nights. I couldn’t aim, but they didn’t care.
A few months ago, Violet had been in town, and she’d come along for darts. She and Willis had broken up, and she’d needed to get away. I was flattered she’d chosen to spend her time with me, but then I saw her with Cali and Kellan. She’d needed sister time, yes, but she’d needed to be the fun aunt more than anything.
Still, I was worried about her.
Eliot held my hand. We didn’t have to mingle. Everyone came to us. Catherine was following Kellan around now that he could walk and tried to keep up with his much older cousins.
Sutton took a drink of her fruit punch. “Do you think anyone else is going to meet the terms of the inheritance?”
I shrugged. My oldest brother was chatting with Dad and Cody. Alder worked at King Oil with Dad and loved his job. I doubted he’d give it up for a year just for a house and some land. Jasper was chatting with Eliot and Chambers on the other side of me. He loved what he was doing, but maybe he’d decide to form his own business. At the cost of being married? I wasn’t sure I could envision Jasper settling down. Poppy and Clover were chatting with each other. Neither one had brought a date or mentioned that they were seeing anyone.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I can’t even guess who’ll be first.”
“What about last?” She took a drink from her punch cup. “I would’ve said Austen and Eliot were going to stay single forever.” She smiled. “I’m so glad I was wrong.”
I was too. “When the snow melted, I stopped by the cemetery and thanked Grandma for meddling in my life. I can only hope it turns out just as well for the rest.”
Her gaze caught on Wilder coming out of the house with Drew and her expression turned dreamy. Alex was in my mom’s arms.
Tova and Vienne approached.
“Your sisters are a riot,” Tova said.
“You mean Poppy and Clover?”
She nodded. “Violet too. I was just hanging out with her, Ivy, and Cali.”
“Violet’s a riot?” Shock filled my voice. I loved my sister, but a riot? That was not Violet.
“She’s one of those serious ones with biting sarcasm that’s hilarious if you’re not on the receiving end,” Vienne said.
Violet did have a dry sense of humor. “I hope her ex was on the receiving end for once.”
Aggie joined us and gave me another hug. “I can’t believe I grew up the only sister and now I have four.”
“I more than doubled the number of sisters I have.” And it was amazing. “Brothers too.”
Ansen slipped an arm around Aggie’s waist. “Welcome to the family, Lily.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “Again.”
“We like to have two weddings around here,” Aggie joked.
Tova’s eyes went wide. “Oh my god, you’re right.”
“Wait.” Vienne’s brow furrowed and she toyed with one of her four necklaces. “Aggie and Ansen didn’t go through with the first wedding.”
“But we were minutes away,” Aggie said. “Everything was set up and ready for me to walk down the aisle.”
“I’ve only been through one wedding,” Tova added. “But Cody’s been married twice.”
“Same with me and Austen,” Vienne said. “Austen’s been married once, but I’ve been married twice. Wilder and Sutton. Now, Lily and Eliot.”
“We’ll do anything for a reason to party.” Aggie grinned and leaned her head on Ansen’s shoulder.
Violet approached Poppy and Clover. I gave Eliot’s hand a squeeze and released him. “I think Violet might be taking off. I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” Sutton said. “And like Ansen said—welcome to the family.” She grinned. “Again.”
I was still smiling when I reached my sisters.
Violet’s gaze lifted to mine. Her eyes were tired, but she still had an energy around her that Willis had sucked away. “Will you be upset if I take off early?”
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Of course.” She didn’t sound convincing. “I’ve just been tired lately. My appetite’s off.”
“Oh no.” Horror crossed Poppy’s face. “Willis didn’t implant his arrogant alien seed in you, did he?”
I almost laughed it off, but shock was scrawled over Violet’s expression. “No.” Her voice pitched up. “Not Willis. He probably got a vasectomy at eighteen and never told anyone.”
True. “I’ll walk you to your car.” The driveway looked like the parking lot of a county fair—a line of dusty pickups.
“No.” She squeezed my hand. “This is your day, and I don’t want to take you away from anyone. It’s just been a long few months, but I’m going to be back. Visiting my family is so much nicer when I don’t have to drag a man-child along.” She rolled her eyes. “Or argue with him about going in the first place. Enough about him. I love what you and Eliot have done with the place.”
To keep himself busy until he could get the horses moved, Eliot had started renovating the house. He’d opened up the living room and kitchen, removed the wallpaper, and painted. The work helped distract him from a calving season he was minimally involved in. Jasper and Chambers kept him updated. “Thanks. I love what he’s done.”
“Have fun on your honeymoon. Vegas?”
My parents were staying to help watch the kids and animals, and Eliot’s siblings would take care of the horses. “He hasn’t traveled a lot outside of work, and I suggested it as an adult destination. He might hate it.”
“He’s going to love it because he’s with you.” She sighed wistfully. “I’m happy for you. Really.”
I hugged her, then she started for her car, one of the few in the row of vehicles.
When I turned, Poppy was scrutinizing me. “You almost— almost —make me think that old house is worth hooking up for.”
Clover lightly swatted her arm. “It’s a marriage , not hooking up.”
“Whatever. There’s some guy renting the house that’s supposed to be mine anyway.” She held her hands up. “I’m staying far away.”
“It’s our no-man era,” Clover announced.
I smirked. “No man, no land.”
“What’s this about no man?” Jasper jogged up to us.
“I don’t know what the rhyme would be for you,” I said. “Are there a lot of marriage options in Buffalo Gully?”
He blanched. “Uh, no. But there’s this lady named Carla whose car keeps breaking down on the road between the ranch and town. Only it’s always when I’ve seen her in town and then I’m heading back.”
“She’s stalking you?” Poppy asked.
“Wilder and Sutton warned me about her. She’s looking for her third husband. Or is it the fourth?”
Alder wandered up to us. “You’re becoming the fourth husband. I can see it.”
Jasper scowled at him. “No, we’re taking bets on when you’re getting married to get your land.”
Alder’s jaw hardened. “It’s not right.” His gaze softened. “But I’m glad it’s worked out for you. I’d say Eliot’s a nice addition to the family, but I feel like we’ve all been added to his.”
I glanced at the way Mom danced and laughed with all the kids. “It goes both ways. Mom considers everyone hers. I heard her tell Cody he’s a good kid and should be proud of himself.”
Alder snorted, but his fond gaze was on Mom.
A wall of heat came up behind me. Eliot wrapped his arms around my waist. “The DJ wants to know if he can start the music.”
The DJ was Cody’s oldest son. “Yes, absolutely. There’s a cowboy I need to dance with.”
Country tunes started to play out of the speakers. Eliot twirled me into his arms. “You realize that I’m going to sneak off with you after a few songs?”
“You don’t think anyone will notice?” Did I care?
“My side of the family will expect it since I know for a fact they all snuck off at their weddings.”
“Well, then we have to complete the cycle.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled with his smile. “I love you, Lily pad.”
“I love you too, Romeo.”
“I love our family.”
“Good. Because it’s growing.”
He blinked once. Then again. “Seriously?”
“As serious as the will and trust. It’s early yet, but?—”
He whooped and picked me up. His mouth was on mine as he whirled us around. When he set me down, neither of us looked around to see if we made a spectacle. It was a wedding. We’d announce the new baby later.
“When should we tell the kids?” Eliot asked. “Kellan might say ‘no,’ but that’s the only word he can say. And I’d like for us to talk to them about the official adoption first.”
“Cali’s already calling herself Cali Knight. I don’t think she’s going to protest.”
A proud smile stretched his lips wide. “I can’t wait. We’re going from a family of four to five.”
We started dancing again, and I laid my head on his chest. Horses grazed in the pasture closest to the house. “At least all the new animals aren’t my fault.”
“They’re my job. I’m justified.” He tipped my chin up. “I’m also so damn grateful I’m one of the critters you took in.”
“You cuddled better than Flakes.”
He laughed, and we danced until the song changed to another. Then he found Cali and danced with her. My mom was in line for the next dance.
I chatted with my sisters until Mom walked Eliot over.
“He’s such a good guy,” she gushed and turned to him. “I’m proud to call you my son.” She crushed him in a giant hug. When she let him go, a stunned expression was on his face. He blinked like it was the first time he’d been told someone was proud of him.
I loved my family more today than I ever had.
Mom glanced at my sisters. “I’m not going to be one of those mothers who pressures you. I want all my kids to be choosy about their partners. But…I’d love to meet them before I die.”
Poppy choked on her punch as Mom wandered away.
“No pressure,” Clover said around her laugh. She shot me a fake glare. “She didn’t talk that way when Carter and Willis were getting brought around, but you had to open a can of worms with that guy.” She jerked her head toward Eliot.
“I’m not guilty at all.” I took Eliot’s hand again.
“Ladies, I need to steal the bride.” He slowly towed me away.
“Get ’em, gurrrrl,” Poppy called after us.
Eliot led me to the house, but we ducked into the garage where people would be less likely to look for us. His pickup was inside and would offer us some shelter if someone walked in.
He opened the back door and lifted me onto the seat, then he kissed me. A slow, sweet kiss. When he pulled back, his eyes were full of love. He was my future. “One year ago today, I knew you were everything I wanted. But at the time, I thought I couldn’t have you.”
“I’m yours.”
“You’re all mine. Forever. Together, we’re going to make endless memories.”
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All the Knights have settled down, but Lily has five siblings who need to find love or they’ll lose their inheritance. What happens when Violet lets loose for one night with a guy she meets at a bar in Coal Haven? She has only a first name, and no way to find him to tell him he’s going to be a dad. Until one day when she confronts the renter currently in the property left to her.
Evander Barron returns home after more than a couple of decades in the army to find his one night stand throwing up on his porch. Then she tells him the news. He should be elated, but his past hasn’t made it easy to trust, and he doesn’t trust Violet. So it’s best to keep her close. It’ll be his worst decision, or the best thing he ever did, in Violet Promises .
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Want to keep reading more of Lily and Eliot? Join them at the ten year reunion of the camping trip with all the Knights here .