Epilogue
Mia
One Week Later
The warm glow of the setting sun bathed the Dixie Reapers’ compound in golden light as everyone busied themselves preparing for the welcome party. Colorful streamers danced in the gentle breeze, while balloons bobbed at every corner. The scent of mouthwatering barbecue wafted through the air, mixing with the sweet aroma of fresh-baked pies and spicy chili. Lively country music blared from the speakers, setting a festive tone that seemed to sweep everyone up in its contagious energy.
On the sidelines, I stood watching the whirlwind of activity, feeling like an outsider intruding on a private family gathering. My heart thudded against my chest, and I rubbed my clammy palms on the worn fabric of my jeans. A part of me longed to join in the camaraderie, but the fear of rejection held me back.
“Are you all right, honey?” a voice asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
I glanced over to see a woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. “Yeah, I’m just… nervous.”
“Understandable,” she said, nodding sympathetically. “New places can be overwhelming, especially when it feels like everyone already knows each other.”
“Exactly,” I agreed, relieved that someone understood. Though the Dixie Reapers had been nothing but welcoming, I couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy that gnawed at my insides. What did I have to offer these people? And would they still accept me if they knew the whole truth about my past?
The woman patted my arm reassuringly. “Give it some time, sweetheart. You’ll find your place here soon enough.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, hoping she was right.
As the party got underway, I hovered near the edges, observing the interactions between the Dixie Reapers and their families. Laughter rang out, punctuating the air with a sense of joy that I hadn’t experienced in far too long. My heart ached to be a part of it, but fear kept me rooted to my spot. I scanned the area and saw Jackson with his dad. Their relationship had been good the last few days, and I didn’t want to intrude on whatever they were discussing right now.
“Hey there,” a voice called out, drawing my attention. “You look like you could use some company.”
“Maybe,” I replied hesitantly, studying the man who had approached me. He seemed friendly enough, but I couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted from me. Wasn’t that always the way?
“Listen, I know it’s tough being the new girl, but I promise we don’t bite. Well, most of us don’t anyway,” he joked, attempting to put me at ease.
“Thanks,” I said, managing a small smile. “I appreciate it.”
And I did, more than he could possibly know. Everyone seemed friendly, which only made me feel worse. All the doubts I had were my own issue not theirs. No one here had made me feel unwelcome at any point. Not even when Jackson’s father had been upset with him.
“Anytime. My name is Slayer. I’m happy to help whenever I can,” he assured me, before sauntering off to join the others.
As the sun disappeared behind the horizon and the party carried on into the night, I allowed myself to take small steps toward joining in. I chatted with a few people, shared a few laughs, and even dared to hope that maybe, just maybe, these people could become my family.
But deep down, a shadow of doubt still lingered, whispering that I didn’t belong here. That they would never truly accept someone like me. And as much as I wanted to silence it, part of me feared that it might be right.
“Hey there,” a voice called out, breaking through my reverie. My gaze landed on a tall man with fiery red hair, his green eyes warm and inviting. He strode toward me, his confident gait somehow reassuring. “I’m Wire.”
“Hi,” I said hesitantly, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. “I’m Mia.”
“Nice to meet you, Mia,” he replied, offering me a genuine smile that immediately put me at ease. “You look like you could use a friendly face.”
“Is it that obvious?” I asked, half-joking, half-serious.
“Only if you’ve been around as long as I have.” Wire chuckled. “Don’t worry, though. We’re not as scary as we might seem.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, grateful for his kind words. “I appreciate that. And I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for us. Jackson said you were the reason he was able to find me and Poppy.”
“Of course,” he said warmly. “Helping is what I do around here. Unless someone makes me mad, then I mess with them a bit. So, how are you finding life with the Reapers so far?”
“Overwhelming,” I admitted, surprised by my own honesty. “But I think I’m starting to get used to it. And I really enjoy being on the ranch. We just moved into Jackson’s house this morning, and it already feels like home.”
“Good.” Wire nodded. “You know, when I first joined the club, I felt the same way. But these people, they’ll become your family if you let them.”
“Really?” I asked, daring to hope that such a thing could be possible.
“Absolutely,” he assured me. “You just have to be willing to trust them.”
“Trust is… hard for me,” I confessed, my voice barely a whisper.
“Understandable,” Wire said gently. “But let me tell you something, Mia. I’ve seen what you’ve been through, what you’ve survived. And I think you’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.”
“Me?” I asked incredulously, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
“Definitely,” he said with conviction. “You’ve got a fire in you that not even the worst of your past could extinguish. That’s something special.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, touched by his words. “I’m just… so afraid of messing this up.”
“Hey,” Wire said softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We all make mistakes. But the love and support you’ll find here, it won’t just disappear because you stumble. And if you’re worried you’re unworthy of Jackson, or some other nonsense like that, you should know most of the women here all had their share of issues when we found them. Those are their stories to tell, but just know you aren’t alone.”
As we spoke, surrounded by the laughter and warmth of the Dixie Reapers, something inside me shifted. While the fear still lingered in the shadows of my heart, I began to see the glimmer of hope that had been missing for so long.
“Thank you, Wire,” I said, my voice strong and clear. “For everything.”
“Anytime, Mia,” he replied, his green eyes crinkling as he smiled. “Welcome to the family.”
As Wire’s encouraging words washed over me, I felt an unfamiliar warmth growing in my chest. He was right. I had survived so much. Maybe, I could find a place within this family. With that thought fresh in my mind, I noticed three girls approaching us with friendly smiles, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Hey there, you must be Mia,” one of them said, her hair swishing behind her with every step. “I’m Harlow, and these are my sisters, Kasen and Westlyn.”
Kasen nodded at me with a warm smile. Meanwhile, Westlyn looked at me with eager fascination.
“Nice to meet y’all,” I replied hesitantly, my nerves beginning to bubble back up.
“Wire has told us so much about you,” Harlow continued, her tone inviting and gentle. “We’re really happy to finally meet you. And in case you couldn’t tell, we’re triplets. Our dad is Tank.”
I remembered meeting him. He had to have been one of the most imposing men I’d ever met. But he had three daughters? Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.
“Y-yeah? You wanted to meet me?” I stammered, feeling a mixture of surprise and relief.
“Absolutely,” Kasen chimed in, her eyes sincere. “We’ve been looking forward to getting to know you better.”
“Tell us about yourself, Mia,” Westlyn urged, her voice full of youthful excitement. “What’s your favorite thing to do? What kind of music do you like?”
I couldn’t help but smile at their genuine interest in my life. Maybe it was time to let go of some of my fears and open up to these people who were offering me acceptance and friendship.
“Well, I love country music,” I began, feeling my confidence grow as I spoke. “And I always wanted to learn how to ride horses. I’ve been fascinated by the rodeo for as long as I can remember. Never thought I’d end up marrying a rodeo cowboy.”
“We already have something in common!” Westlyn exclaimed, her eyes wide with awe. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to ride a horse too. I’ve just been too scared to ask Cowboy or Jacey.”
“Maybe we can all go riding sometime?” Harlow asked. “Since your family has a lot of them. Might be fun.”
“Really?” I couldn’t help the hopeful note in my voice.
“Definitely,” Kasen confirmed, her smile warm and genuine. “We’re family now, Mia. And that means doing things together. Besides, you look close to our age.”
As I stood there, surrounded by these kind-hearted young women who seemed so eager to include me in their lives, I felt a long-forgotten sensation of belonging swell within me. The fear and uncertainty that had weighed me down for years began to lift, replaced by a newfound sense of hope and acceptance. And in that moment, I knew -- whatever challenges lay ahead, I wouldn’t have to face them alone. Because with my daughter Poppy and the Dixie Reapers by my side, I had finally found a place where I belonged.
Surrounded by the warm embrace of laughter and conversation, I couldn’t help but marvel at the transformation taking place within me. What had begun as a hesitant interaction with Tank’s daughters had blossomed into a lively exchange of stories and experiences, each word spoken serving to strengthen the bonds that were forming between us. As Harlow, Kasen, and Westlyn continued to draw me out of my shell, I found myself opening up in ways I hadn’t thought possible. It was as though a long dormant flower had finally found the sunlight it so desperately craved.
“Hey, Mia, have you ever tried bull riding?” Cowboy’s wide grin was infectious.
“Uh, no,” I admitted, feeling my cheeks flush as several sets of eyes turned toward me. “I was too young to go into the bars with the mechanical ones, and the live ones scare me.”
“Aw, come on!” he teased, laughter dancing in his eyes. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Maybe someday,” I replied with a smile, appreciating the light-hearted banter for what it was -- an invitation to be part of something greater than myself. It also made me feel as if he’d truly accepted me as his daughter-in-law.
“Fair enough,” he conceded, raising his beer in a mock toast before turning back to his own conversation.
As I listened to the hum of voices around me, I felt a tidal wave of gratitude wash over me. Here, amidst the Dixie Reapers, I was finding something I’d spent a lifetime searching for -- a sense of belonging, a place where I could let down my guard and simply be myself without fear of judgment or rejection.
“Can I ask you something, Mia?” Westlyn asked hesitantly, her gaze meeting mine with genuine curiosity. “How did you end up with Jackson? Don’t get me wrong. He’s a sweetheart, but… He’s never shown much interest in women.”
The question hung in the air like a delicate thread, one that could either draw me closer or unravel the fragile connections I’d been weaving. And yet, as I looked into Westlyn’s eyes and saw the warmth and understanding that lay within them, I knew in my heart that it was time to trust -- to share a piece of myself with these remarkable young women who were so willing to accept me for who I was.
“Life hasn’t always been kind to me,” I began softly, my voice barely audible above the din of the party. “But when I met Jackson, he was so nice to me. He always looked out for me and tried to include me in things. And when the guy I’d been seeing got rough, he stepped in and saved me. I owe him… everything.”
As I spoke, I could feel Harlow, Kasen, and Westlyn listening intently, their faces open and empathetic. And in that moment, I understood that I’d found something truly precious -- not just a place to call home, but a group of people who would stand by me, no matter what life might throw my way.
The laughter and chatter of the party swirled around me, creating a lively atmosphere that was both comforting and overwhelming. I took a deep breath, feeling my nerves slowly starting to settle as I continued to mingle with the Dixie Reapers who had welcomed me into their fold. My gaze fell upon Cowboy and his wife standing near a table laden with food and drinks.
“Hey there, Mia,” Cowboy called out with a warm smile, his blue eyes twinkling beneath the brim of his well-worn hat. “Come on over and join us.”
“Thank you,” I replied softly, making my way toward them, noting Cowboy’s strong yet gentle presence. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his blond hair streaked with silver -- an image of a seasoned rodeo cowboy.
“Sweetheart, are your arms getting tired? Why don’t you let me hold Poppy for a bit?” Jacey asked, holding out her hands.
“Thank you,” I stammered, handing her over to her grandmother. “Until we came here, only Jackson held Poppy, other than me. He’s been so wonderful through everything.”
“Jackson’s always had a big heart, just like his daddy.” Jacey smiled, giving Cowboy a playful nudge.
Cowboy chuckled, his arm wrapping around Jacey’s shoulder. “He’s a good boy, our Jackson. We’re glad he found you, Mia. And we’re happy to have you and your little one here with us.”
My eyes filled with tears at their genuine interest in me and my daughter Poppy. It warmed my heart to know that they were more than willing to embrace us, even with our troubled past.
“Speaking of little ones,” Jacey said, her gaze shifting down to Poppy. “Your daughter is just precious, Mia.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, my heart swelling with pride.
As the evening wore on, I couldn’t help but steal glances at Poppy, watching with awe and gratitude as she interacted with her newfound family. We had both been through so much, and for the first time in a long time, I knew that we were exactly where we were meant to be.
With the Dixie Reapers by our side, we could face anything life threw our way -- together.
“Can’t believe we’re really here, huh?” I whispered to Poppy, who was nestled comfortably in my arms once more.
I glanced around at the smiling faces of the Dixie Reapers, each one of them offering me a warm nod or a welcoming embrace. It was surreal to think that a year ago, I had been lost, alone, and terrified. But now, here I was, standing amongst people who truly cared about me and my daughter. And I had the most amazing husband.
“Hey, Mia,” Wire called out from across the room, holding up a plate piled high with mouthwatering barbecue. “You hungry?”
“Starving,” I admitted with a grin, making my way over to him.
As Wire handed me the plate, his green eyes sparkled with genuine warmth. “You know, with your strength and determination, you’re going to fit in here just fine. Our women range from outspoken like Ridley to reserved like Mara. So, don’t feel like you have to tiptoe around everyone. Just be yourself.”
“Thanks, Wire,” I murmured, touched by his words. “Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without you and the rest of the Dixie Reapers.”
“Right where you belong, darlin’,” he replied, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze before rejoining the party.
As I nibbled on a juicy rib, my gaze drifted across the sea of happy faces, taking in Cowboy’s playful teasing, Jackson’s laughter as he spoke with some friends, and Tank’s daughters animatedly chatting with some of the other girls. In this moment, surrounded by love and laughter, I knew that I had finally found a place where Poppy and I could call home. The Dixie Reapers weren’t just a motorcycle club -- they were our family, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the connections and friendships we had forged.
“Here’s to new beginnings,” I whispered, raising my sweet tea in a silent toast before taking a sip of the ice-cold drink. “And to the family I’ve always dreamed of.”