Epilogue
Olivia
One Year Later
Snow now falls, almost in slow motion, outside the windo.
It’s just the way it came down the day I almost lost everything.
Fortunately, I found something better. The ranch glows with Christmas lights now, each one reflecting off the freshly painted porch rails James finished last spring.
Inside, the scent of a big turkey roasting and pine from the fresh tree fills every corner.
We’ve invited company. Millie is humming and helping in the kitchen, Sheriff Collins and his wife sip cider by the fire. Even my sister, Caroline, has decided to venture into the wilds of Colorado for a different kind of Christmas.
It feels like home — our home.
I move to the window and glance out at the pasture. The fences are sturdy again, the barn roof gleams in the winter light, and two foals chase each other through the snow. A year ago, I couldn’t even imagine this. Now, I can’t imagine life without it.
Footsteps sound behind me. “You thinking about running away again?”
I turn to find James leaning against the doorframe, that teasing smile still the same. “Only if you come with me.”
“Good answer.” He wraps his arms around me, chin resting on my shoulder. “You know, you’re a natural at this ranch thing.”
“I’ve had a decent teacher,” I murmur.
“Decent?” he repeats, mock offended.
I laugh, turning in his arms to kiss him. “Fine. Exceptional.”
He grins. “Better.”
We stand like that for a while, the kind of silence that feels full instead of empty. It’s been a year, but every day still feels new.
“Come on,” he says softly. “Let’s see if that turkey is ready to be carved.”
For the first time in years, Christmas doesn’t feel heavy. It feels right. Like this is how it was always supposed to be.
Caroline’s pouring cider into mugs, her cheeks flushed pink from the fire. Someone’s teasing James about his carving skills while he pretends not to hear. The long table is lined with food — roast, rolls, pies, enough to feed the whole town if they wandered by.
I clear my throat, catching everyone’s attention. “Before we eat and open gifts, there’s one more thing we should celebrate.”
James looks up from the carving knife, brow furrowed, a faint grin tugging at his mouth. “Something I don’t know about?”
“Not for long.” I cross the room and stop in front of him. “We’ve got another reason to give thanks this Christmas,” I say softly.
He stops carving and studies me. “Liv…”
I take his hand and press it flat to my stomach. My voice shakes when I whisper, “July.”
For a moment, the world holds its breath. Then I watch realization hit him full-force. His jaw slackens, eyes going wide, then bright with something I’ll never forget.
“You’re …?”
I nod, tears burning, smiling so hard my cheeks ache. “We’re having a baby, James.”
He laughs — a rough, joyous sound — and wraps me in his arms so tightly I almost lose my breath. The room erupts with cheers, Caroline squealing, my father clapping him on the back, my mother wiping her eyes.
James pulls back just enough to look at me, still grinning like the happiest man alive. “Guess I’d better build a crib.”
“Or maybe a whole nursery,” I tease, blinking back my tears.
He kisses my forehead, voice low against my hair. “You just gave me the best Christmas gift there is.”
The fire pops. Snow falls against the window in slow, sparkling silence. I lean into him, my heart so full it almost hurts.
“Merry Christmas, cowboy,” I whisper.
His arms tighten around me. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Callahan.”
And right then, I know this is only the beginning. Love started as a contract, became a choice, and ended as a forever.
Thank you so much for reading