Epilogue
“Gwendolyn Carter, what have I said about bringing him into the house?” I demanded, desperately trying to suppress a laugh as our four-year-old daughter—named after Goodie and clearly inheriting her stubborn streak—carried her favorite duckling into the kitchen, clad in her pajamas and rain boots.
“He likes it.” She looked up at me with big blue eyes framed by dark lashes.
“Gwennie.” I sighed. “Remember, they poop all over the house,” I reminded her gently as she clutched the duckling under one arm with expert care.
If it were possible, my daughter rivaled me in her love of animals.
I lifted Henry, our two-year-old, into his high chair. Ranger and our two shepherds took their places beneath him, ready to clean up anything he dropped. The way he ate, they typically got a full meal out of it.
I ran a loving hand over his blond head and smiled as he began to eat with his typical enthusiasm. While our daughter took after her father with dark hair and blue eyes, Henry was all me, with his blond hair and butterscotch eyes.
With him occupied, I knelt to Gwen’s level and met her voluminous gaze. “Honey, he wants to be with his mama. Once your daddy gets home, I’m sure he’ll take you out to feed them.”
“When is he coming home? He’s been gone foreber,” she demanded with the same impatience I shared.
Hudson was rarely away and had stopped officially touring after Henry was born. He still did the occasional show, as he’d agreed to do this time—a tribute performance in Nashville.
I’d toured with him for the first year after we got married and had fully embraced the adventure of the road.
But once I became pregnant—with morning sickness that seemed to last all day—it became increasingly difficult to join him.
After the children were born, we were more comfortable at home, which meant that was where Hudson wanted to be as well.
“He should be home tonight,” I assured her, just as the dogs scrambled to their feet, alerted by the sound of the garage door opening. I turned toward the sound in surprise as Gwen shrieked in delight. “Daddy!”
“Dada?” Henry asked, his face covered in yogurt.
Moments later, Hudson walked in, catching Gwennie and her duckling and sweeping her into his arms. My heart skipped a beat.
If possible, he’d only grown more handsome in the five years we’d been married.
Dressed in jeans and a blue tee that brought out the color of his eyes, he remained the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen.
“Hi, baby,” he murmured to our daughter. “Who’s this? I thought we talked about ducks in the house.” A tender grin softened his words before his gaze shifted to me. “You kiddos been takin’ care of your mama?”
He set Gwen down and, after cupping Henry’s head in greeting, stepped into me and pulled me into his arms.
“Okay?” he rumbled, planting a soft kiss to my lips.
“Fine.” I smiled up at him. “We didn’t expect you until tonight.”
“I was able to wrap things up earlier.” He shrugged.
“You didn’t have to rush, honey.” Though I couldn’t deny how thrilled I was to have him home.
“Yeah, we’re fine. Mama’s only barfed once!” Gwen announced.
I snorted at my sweet little tattletale, burrowing into my man.
He pulled back to study my face, concern darkening his eyes. “You’ve been sick? You didn’t tell me.”
“Nothing I haven’t experienced before.” I pressed my hand to my belly where our third child grew. We were well on our way to the horde Hudson had always wanted, and despite the morning sickness that accompanied each pregnancy, I was a more-than-willing participant.
“You’re supposed to tell me when you’re sick.” His eyes creased with worry.
“You couldn’t have done anything about it.” I shrugged. “I’m fine. But I could use some help getting this one back to the pond.” I nodded toward Gwen’s little yellow charge.
“You got it.” He smiled. “Why don’t you go back to bed? I’ve got these two. And my parents are still coming by later.”
Between Hudson’s family and mine—including my parents—we had more than enough help with our growing brood.
My parents and I had found our way back to each other, our relationship fragile at first but growing stronger over time.
They had secured their place in our lives and had become doting grandparents.
“I don’t need to get back in bed,” I assured my overprotective man. “But I would love an uninterrupted shower,” I added longingly.
“You got it, baby.” He leaned down to kiss me again, giving my backside a playful squeeze. “Hopefully you’re up to a welcome home later,” he rumbled in my ear.
I bit my lip as the familiar zing of arousal swept down my spine. His gaze darkened in approval as he leaned in to nuzzle my neck. “Can’t come soon enough.”
On that, I couldn’t agree more.
As I headed to our room, I heard him tell Henry, “Alright, champ, let’s get you hosed off.” I grinned at my son’s delighted giggle.
After a blissfully long shower, I looked out our bedroom window toward the meadow and smiled as my gaze found Hudson walking across the grass.
Henry rested in his arms while he held Gwen’s hand, a troop of ducklings following behind them.
They were no doubt headed to the barn, which was now full of animals.
Maybe later, if the weather warmed, they’d go to the pond for a dip.
We had our own oasis here—a burgeoning heaven we continued to expand.
I could never have imagined the beautiful life I would build by moving to Green River all those years ago.
This was the spotlight Hudson promised me he now craved—the loving gaze of me and our children.
And with them, I had more than I could have dreamed. I had everything.
~The End~
The Green River series will continue
with more of the Carter fam!