Epilogue
Penny
Seven Months Later
Through the lens of my phone’s camera, I smiled to myself as I snapped a few pictures. “Look at my three favorite boys.”
Tripp was seated atop Echo, with our four-month-old son, Cash, on his lap. It was our baby boy’s first ride on horseback with his daddy, and watching as he smiled so wide it pulled a dimple on his chubby cheek melted my heart.
This memory deserved to be printed and hung on the walls of our new house once it was completed. It was one of many our little family had created on the ranch we called home, and if it were up to me, I’d frame them all.
A high-pitched squeal brought me back to the present, and I looked up from my phone to find Echo standing only a few feet away.
“Come grab your boy, Mama.” Tripp lifted Cash from the saddle so I could pull him into my arms.
Cash made grabby hands when I got close enough, his gummy smile taking up his whole face. He made the cutest little country baby in his denim overalls paired with a white onesie underneath. All that was missing were a miniature cowboy hat and baby cowboy boots, but I had a feeling if his grandmas had anything to say about it, he’d be outfitted with those before the year was through.
Our extended family had made the transition to parenthood an absolute breeze. Sure, there was the exhaustion that came with sleepless nights, but the first time Daisy spied dark circles under my eyes, she declared she was keeping Cash overnight. She insisted that taking a moment to recharge our batteries would ensure we were the best possible versions of ourselves for our baby. Then, once my mom caught wind of it, she felt left out and wanted a turn having a sleepover with her favorite—might I add, only—grandson.
It made the decision to go back to work that much easier, knowing the best two grandmas around were loving on our boy. Plus, there was the added perk of having him on the property so I could pop in to feed and snuggle him throughout the day.
Living and working on the ranch truly was the best of both worlds. I was doing what I loved, surrounded by the people I loved.
Tripp handed Cash down, and the minute he was in my arms, my sweet boy grabbed two fistfuls of my hair. Tucking him tight to my chest, I nuzzled my cheek against the platinum-blond fuzz at the top of his head and breathed in his scent.
A calm settled over my soul when a strong arm looped around my waist and lips brushed over my temple.
“Doesn’t get any better than this,” Tripp mused, and I craned my neck to find him staring down at where Cash had buried his face in my neck.
“It really doesn’t,” I agreed .
The way the three of us fit together—like slipping into a pair of well-worn boots—made it hard to believe how we’d existed before our duo became a trio. Our love for each other had transformed into something new, something stronger, when our baby burst into this world, screaming his tiny little head off. Our lives had taken on a new purpose, and watching my best friend become a father—something I always knew he’d be incredible at—was a gift I would cherish until my dying day.
Over the sounds of the party set before us, a voice called out, “You two done hoggin’ that baby yet? I’m not getting any younger over here.”
My lips folded inward in my attempt to hide a smile.
When we’d told Tripp’s meemaw we were expecting, she had looked us dead in the eye and dressed us down for making her wait so long. Told us we were a couple of damn fools for not seeing what was right in front of our faces.
She wasn’t wrong.
We’d wasted a lot of years, both of us terrified of ruining our relationship if we ever admitted our feelings, though, in the end, there had been nothing to be afraid of.
Looking back on it now, I wasn’t sure I’d do any of it differently. If I had, we wouldn’t have Cash; we’d have some other baby. And there wasn’t a world in which I’d wish away my baby boy. He and his daddy were my reason for living.
I had to believe everything worked out exactly as it was always meant to.
Tripp gave my hip a squeeze, teasing, “Yeah, Penny, stop hoarding all the baby cuddles.”
With a playful glare shot over my shoulder, I pulled out of my husband’s hold and moved toward where his grandmother was seated in a chair beneath an umbrella to protect her from the summer sun .
Betsy Sullivan’s arms were outstretched, desperate to get her hands on my son.
When I handed him over, I warned, “He’s been fed, so he’ll likely need a nap soon.”
She didn’t spare me a glance, positioning Cash so that his head was tucked into the crook of her elbow as she rocked him gently. “Won’t be the first man to pass out on me after he’s sucked on a tit.”
Eyes wide, I choked back a laugh. You would think I’d have grown immune to her casually outrageous remarks, having been exposed to them my entire life, but they still had the power to shock me.
Betsy made a shooing motion with her free hand. “Go, enjoy your moment of peace. We’ll be just fine here.”
I smoothed a hand over the top of Cash’s head. He had no idea how loved he was.
Leaving the matriarch of the family to spend quality time with her great-grandson, I stepped over to one of the tables set up with food, swiping a slice of fresh watermelon and biting into it as I surveyed the scene.
For a man who didn’t like to flaunt his wealth, Macallan Blaze had gone all out for his daughter’s first birthday celebration. There was a bouncy house, a photo booth, a face-painting station, and you couldn’t forget about the horse rides.
The birthday girl was tucked safely in her father’s arms, a crown set atop her dark curls. A full year later, Mac hadn’t gotten any better at sharing. If he wasn’t holding Reagan, he was pouting.
My eyes shifted to where Aspen was laughing with Bex, my gaze dipping to her slightly rounded belly. She and Mac hadn’t wasted any time trying for another baby, and she was due with their second close to Christmas.
I wondered how Mac—or Reagan, for that matter—would handle splitting his attention when their family expanded from one child to two .
Arms slipped around my waist from behind, and against my ear, Tripp said, “You’re staring, you know.”
I melted into the strong form behind me. “Is it wrong that I’m a little jealous?”
He sucked in a surprised breath, taking a minute to recover from my admission before challenging, “You just got rid of that big ole belly, and you already want me to give you another?”
Turning so that we were face-to-face, I cocked an eyebrow. “I remember someone promising to give me an unlimited amount of babies.”
Tripp huffed out a laugh and shook his head. “Sorry. Just tryin’ to figure out if this is a trap like the last time you told me to put a baby in you and then freaked out when I actually went and did it.”
Instantly, I got defensive. “It wasn’t a trap. I just let my hormones gloss over the reality of it.”
He hummed. “The reality is different this time, Lucky. We’d be talking two under two. Is that something you really want?”
I scrunched my nose up. “Maybe?”
“Maybe’s not good enough when we’re talking about bringing another life into this world.” Chest expanding, he let out a heavy exhale. “You know if you tell me that’s what you want, I won’t deny you, darlin’. But I want you to be sure first, especially since you’re the one who has to carry the heavier burden at the beginning.”
Knowing he’d shove his own feelings aside if it meant making me happy, I turned the question around on him. “Is that something you would want?”
An expression of pure love filled his handsome face. “Cash is the most perfect thing in this world. ‘Course I’d want more just like him.”
I smiled so wide my cheeks began to hurt. “He’s pretty amazing, isn’t he?”
“How could he not be?” Tripp’s gaze lifted over my head to stare at our boy before it dropped back down to lock on mine. “He came from you.”
A blush crept up my neck. “You’re a pretty smooth talker, you know that, Mr. Sullivan?”
Head dipping, he captured my lips in a soft kiss. “You bring it out in me, Mrs. Sullivan.”
“Tell me I’m not dreaming,” I whispered the same words he’d uttered in disbelief on our wedding day.
His nose ran along the side of mine, and he breathed out, “If you are, it’s my favorite one. Do me a favor and try not to wake up.”
“Cake! Come sing to the birthday girl!” Mac’s voice called out, popping the bubble of our tender moment.
Tripp pulled away with a laugh, jerking his head toward where his brother-in-law was set before a giant, pink four-tier cake. “It’s our niece’s big day. Can’t let her down.”
I let him tug me toward where those gathered had already begun to sing.
Everyone we loved was right here, and as I counted my many blessings, I couldn’t help but think that this beautiful life was the best birthday wish I ever had come true.
For an extended epilogue where Tripp and Penny get to go on a proper honeymoon, you can find it here .
The Rust Canyon series will conclude with a book dedicated to chronicling the entire relationship between Tripp and Aspen’s parents, Jett and Daisy Sullivan, in Before You Can Blink .
Missed out on the earlier Rust Canyon couples? You can catch up with Aspen and Mac’s story in Festive Faking and Bex and Tucker’s in Coming Home Country.