Epilogue
BEAU
One Month Later
“Slider, are you sure you don’t want to try?”
“Nah, it makes me too nervous, Aunt Beau. I like working in the garage like Dad and getting my hands dirty,” he says, sitting in my mechanic’s chair watching as I teach Ty to paint smooth, even strokes, and not get runs.
” We’ve been practicing for a month now and he’s actually got a lot of promise.
I’m impressed. I make a point to have these sessions, not only so I can bond more with Ty, but so that he and Slider can spend time together because Robin is making that harder and harder.
I’m about to knock Gordo around until he finds his brain.
“That’s it, Ty. You’re getting really good. Do you see why I made you sand the fender longer now?”
“Yeah, it makes a difference in how the paint goes on,” he murmurs, his eyes trained on his spray gun as he does his best to concentrate.
“It does. Did you know this fender is going to go on one of the Devil’s Blaze trucks they’re selling?” I ask, tired of sitting on my secret.
I watch as he finishes the run of paint that he’s working on. He’s doing on the fender and stops before looking at me. Shit, the kid is a natural. I take my mask off, and the boys do the same.
“No shit?” he asks. I wince a little. I’m trying to get this Mom thing down, but my mouth gets me in trouble. I’m going to have to get better at that. My hand goes down to my stomach on reflex.
“Yep. Once you get it painted, we’re going to work on the next one. When we have it all back together, it will be our first project that we’ve done together.”
“Beau …” he says, and I can see the shock and joy that washes over him.
“You have real skill, Ty. Slider shows promise, too. That is, if he changes his mind, but he definitely could be a top mechanic, if not. I think you boys have a huge future here at the body shop if you want it.”
“You mean it?” Slider and Ty both ask.
“Definitely. You keep training for a bit and then, if your dads say it’s okay, you can work here after school, and I’ll pay you.”
“Woah,” Slider says. Meanwhile, Ty just keeps staring at me.
“Are you okay?” I ask him.
“Beau,” he says, taking a deep breath. “Are you serious?”
“Of course, I am. I’ve been doing this a long time, and you and Slider both have major talent.
Slider is already rebuilding carbs faster than his old man—who is one of my top mechanics.
Painting comes natural to you. You’ve got a great future if you decide you want to paint, Ty.
You’d both make this garage better if you step in your parents shoes one day. ”
“Parents …” Ty repeats.
“You already said I could be your Mom, Ty. You going to take that away from me?”
“Never. I love you, Beau.”
“I love you, too, and Slider?”
“Yo,” he says, making me grin at him.
“I may not be your mom, but I love you just the same.”
“I know. That’s why it’s cool that you’re going to adopt Ty. Now, we’ll be almost like brothers. I just hope my mom gets off whatever kick she’s on. I miss spending time at your house.”
“We miss you, too. I’ll talk to your dad and see if we can set something up. I’ll bribe them if needed.”
“Thanks, Beau.” I wink at him in response.
“What are my three favorite people doing?” Hunter says strutting into the paint bay.
“Beau’s been teaching me to paint. She said I could be really good someday. She mentioned me helping in the garage after school. If I work really hard, maybe one day I could be almost as good as she is.”
“Nah, Ty. You keep working like you have been and one day you’ll be better than me.”
“I don’t think that’s possible Beau. You’re the best.”
“I have to agree with my son. You are the best Beau Harper.”
“This is where they get all touchy-feely,” Slider mutters.
I look at the love shining in Slider’s, Ty’s, and Hunter’s eyes. I immediately feel tears sliding down my face.
I’ve been over emotional for the last few weeks and my guys have been handling me gently.
Ty has also been stuck to me. like glue.
Heck, my men at the garage have, too. Especially since everything happened with Donald Ray.
We found out through Ty that he was the man that Robin had been dating—he just used a different name.
There whole plan was pretty easily figured out.
We haven’t been able to find Robin. The club had tracked her down to Vegas, but she disappeared.
No one has seen her since she showed up at the airport.
There are warrants out for her arrest if she ever shows up.
I don’t really know how the club took care of Donald Ray’s body.
I just know I was never questioned by the police and Skull, Torch, and King all assured me nothing would ever turn up when it came to him.
So, I just stopped worrying about it. I don’t know what that says about me, but I don’t really care either.
Donald Ray Hyde earned his death by the pain and misery he inflicted on others.
I just got to be the one that delivered it.
“Okay, you guys need to stop. You’re turning me into a blubbering mess,” I grumble.
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m here to take us all away. We have a family night planned.”
“We do?” I ask.
“Yep,” Ty answers. I’m ready. I have everything set up just like you asked, Dad.”
“I guess I better get my dad to take me back home. You guys have fun,” Slider says. He tries to smile, but I can tell it’s a struggle for him.
“Hold up, Slider. You’re family the last time I checked.”
“But Mom—”
“I got the clearance from your Dad. You’ll be staying the weekend with Ty.”
“How did you manage that?” I ask.
“I paid Gordo to make a run to Georgia to pick up a truck the club purchased. I paid extra so he could get a nice hotel room and a nice dinner if he took Robin with him and then offered my babysitting capabilities,” he says, making me laugh.
“Awesome!” Slider says. “Thanks Mr. B.”
“Anytime, buddy. You’re family. Now, since the kids have everything set up, I think we better get going.”
“What exactly was set up? What’s going on here?” I ask. Do I need to change for whatever we’re doing at this family night?”
“You’re perfect just the way you are. Let’s head over to the house,” Hunter says, kissing my forehead and then directing me back to the house with his hand on my lower back.
“You have to close your eyes, Beau,” Slider says when we get to my front door.
“I do?”
“Definitely,” Ty answers. He and Slider are grinning from ear to ear. For that matter, so is Hunter. Something fishy is definitely going on.
Slider takes one of my hands and Ty takes the other. “No peeking!” they warn in unison.
I can tell they are leading me into my house. Did they bring dinner home? Buy me flowers? I’m not much for surprises, but I’m kind of excited about this. “Okay, Okay,” I laugh.
After a few more steps, Hunter leans in and whispers into my ear. “Open your eyes, beautiful.”
Slowly, I do—my living room is full of the men from the Devil’s Blaze, their women and a few kids. All of the guys from the garage are here too—except Gordo. It’s basically everyone that is special to me and Hunter.
“Surprise!” they yell and those tears I thought I had a handle on, begin to fall again.
Hunter walks around me and stands beside Ty. I have a death grip on Slider’s hand.
“Beau, we’re all here to celebrate.”
I laugh. “I kind of figured that. I’m just wondering what we’re celebrating.”
Hunter reaches into his pocket, before slowly dropping down on one knee. I look at him my eyes going round, while a surprised gasp escapes my lips.
“Beau Harper, will you marry me?” I might have thought I was crying before, but now they’re flowing out so hard that Hunter’s beautiful face is blurry.
I feel like I can’t breathe. “I love you, Beau. I can’t imagine going one day in this life without you by my side.
I wouldn’t want a life that didn’t include you.
I’m asking you in front of all of the people that important to the both of us, to spend forever with me. ”
I squeeze Slider’s hand, and he grins at me.
“I love you,” I mouth. He nods his head, letting go of my hand and going to stand by Torch and Callum.
I turn to look at my boys. The two males who own my heart completely.
I focus my attention on Ty. “Is this okay with you, Ty?” I ask, my voice a hoarse whisper from all the emotion flowing through me.
“Are you kidding? I’ll have the coolest Mom ever.” That’s when I lose it. I sob as the tears take over. I didn’t even know it was possible for a woman to be this happy. “Don’t cry! You don’t have to be my mom. You can just be Beau,” Ty rattles, clearly panicked and misunderstanding my tears.
I drop down on my knees and pull him to me in a bear hug. “I love you, Ty.”
He instantly hugs me back. “I love you, too. Does this mean you’re going to tell my dad yes?”
I grin at him, swiping at my eyes. “Well,” I sigh, “if the only way I can be your mom is to marry him, I guess I don’t have a choice.” Everyone around us starts laughing. Hunter’s laugh might be the loudest. He pulls the both of us into his arms while everyone is clapping and cheering.
“Let’s get this party started!” Skull yells out.
“I love you, Beau.” Hunter says.
“I love you, Cowboy. I have for a very long time.” His lips slowly fall to mine, and he takes me in a kiss that is loaded with desire and emotion.
When we pull back, Ty is shaking his head at us. “I’m going to go find food with Slider. A kid shouldn’t see his parents making out. It’s gross.”
Hunter just keeps looking at me. “You better get used to it, son. It’s going to happen a lot.”
I shake my head at him as Ty calls back. “Yeah, I figured. When I grow up, I’m going to find me an old lady just like Beau. I won’t settle for less.”
“Shit,” I mutter, my tears starting all over again.
“Maybe someone a little less emotional and doesn’t say shit all the time, though,” Tyler jokes, before running off.
“You better run,” I huff, through my tears, smiling like crazy.
Hunter keeps holding me, my back to his front as we watch our family finding foot and talking with one another. He bends down, kissing my temple and then whisper next to my ear.
“Are you happy?”
“Ecstatic. Are you?”
“I don’t think I could get any happier, Harper.”
“Really? I bet I can make you happier,” I murmur.
“Doubtful, unless you’re going to take me into our bedroom.”
“Nope, I’ll be staying right here, but I still think I can make you even happier than you are right now.”
“Go ahead and try, baby.”
I lean my head back so I can look up at his beautiful face. “I’m pregnant.”
He goes completely still. At first, I’m worried. We’ve never really talked about having kids. We haven’t used a bit of protection either, though. Before I can talk to him about it, I see the joy bloom across his face. He shocks me by letting out a large whooping cry of victory.
The entire room goes silent, wondering what is going on.
Hunter looks up and his excitement is like a living, breathing thing in the room. “Attention everyone! Beau and I are having a baby!”
Ty comes running over. “I’m going to be a big brother?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I confirm.
“Beau?” he asks, and I pause for a second worried that this might bother him.
“What’s up buddy?”
“Can you please have a boy? Girls are too difficult, and they cry all the time.”
Everyone starts laughing once again and Hunter kisses me making the entire room disappear for me. “My life only began when you let me into your heart, Beau. Thank you for saving me.”
I shake my head, disagreeing with him. “We were both pretty damaged from our pasts, Hunter. I think we saved each other.”
“I’ll agree to that,” he purrs, kissing me again.
I lose myself in the kiss, knowing that this is my life now.
It’s all I’ve ever wanted and more. Hunter Bartholomew Davis may have started off a complete asshole, but I wouldn’t change anything about our past. I wouldn’t do anything differently because the road I’ve been on led me here, in the arms of the only man I will ever love.