Epilogue
The nurses had done their best to keep everyone out of the room, but no one could resist the brothers—completely captivated, hearts melting like sweet, gooey honey. Truck and Teller had taken the lead on the tour, showing off their charm and drawing everyone in.
Then Eros burst through the door, carrying a three-foot-tall, overstuffed teddy bear and a bouquet of wildflowers that looked like they’d been through a hurricane. The room erupted in laughter.
When someone asked how on earth he’d managed to get the bear all the way up there, the laughter only grew louder.
Texas’s dad launched into a wild story about how they’d strapped the bear onto the Indians’ backs.
All Texas could do was shake his head and laugh quietly to himself, picturing the bear hanging on for dear life. The whole thing sounded utterly crazy.
Kennedy entered next, fully covered from head to toe in a hospital gown, hat, and mask, determined to be the first to hold August. When she was handed the baby, she couldn’t resist teasing his mom with a playful grin.
“I have a question,” Texas interrupted the jokes and storytelling.
“What’s that, son?” his dad asked.
“It’s for my little friends,” Texas said.
“Oh.”
“What brought all of you up here? And how did you end up at my parents’ house?” he asked the group of bikers.
He spotted Eros and Cree moving toward the door and stopped them just before their hands reached the handle. “Don’t even think about getting out of here,” he said firmly.
Both men raised their hands in surrender. “Kennedy and I were already on our way with Eros to come visit. When we got here, your parents told us what happened,” Cree explained.
“And what about all of you?” Texas asked the other brothers.
“Eros told us we should ride up to the cider mill sometime. We just figured today was a good day for the ride,” Teller piped up, trying to take the heat off the two nomads.
Texas wasn’t buying it. “Try again.”
Teller shrugged, eyes flicking toward Cree and Eros.
“Okay, fine. Cree called to tell us what happened to your woman. We were already on the road, so we came straight here and met them at your parents’ house.
By the time we got there, your folks were home.
Honestly, it’s your dad’s fault. He and your brothers sure know how to entertain. ”
That part Texas could believe. That was exactly their style. “Well, thank you all for coming.”
“Don’t worry,” Teller said. “We already called the other brothers to let them know you had a baby. Pierre thinks we should all come up for a weekend once Sunday’s out of the hospital.”
“Let’s make it a few months from now, when she won’t be stuck in bed. We also need some time to adjust to having the little man,” Texas said.
“You let us know when and where. We’ll be there, brother,” Teller promised.
After about an hour, Texas noticed Sunday growing drowsy. He gently ushered everyone out of the room. They could all come back tomorrow if they wanted, but tonight visiting time was over.
Waving to his mom as she tried to wrangle the brothers, he slipped back inside. He stood quietly for a long minute, watching Sunday lying peacefully with her eyes closed, their son nuzzled against her chest.
Reaching up, he placed a hand over the wedding ring hidden beneath his shirt. Closing his eyes, he thought of Lisa. I’m happy. I’m loved again. Those silent words were sent to her, hoping she knew he was okay—that he was whole again.
“Texas.”
“Hey, sweetheart. I thought you were sleeping.” Texas stepped up to the bed, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “Can I get you anything?”
“No. I’m good.” But inside, Sunday wrestled with things she needed to know—and things she wanted to ask. Had he done something to Dalton? She tried to push aside Roach’s words from the orchard, but they nagged at her. She hated to bring it up.
“Ask me. Let’s just get it over with,” Texas said softly as he traced a finger along the baby’s forehead.
“Did you do something to Dalton? Roach said he was attacked—and he didn’t want to hear anything about me being in St. Tite.”
Texas didn’t reveal everything—he was a firm believer that the fewer people knew, the safer everyone was from being caught. “I talked to him about how he should treat women. I might have told him that if he ever came near you again, he’d pay for it.”
“Is that all?”
Texas smirked, a hint of mischief in his voice, “I might’ve sent that message a little more forcefully.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For taking care of me.”
“I’ll always take care of you. And August. You can count on that, sweetheart.” It was an unspoken vow, he’d die for them. Kill for them.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before scooping up their son, cradling him close. “Get some rest until August’s ready to eat again. We’ll be right here in the recliner.”
Sunday smiled softly, watching Texas with their baby. A wave of pure joy washed over her, filling every corner of her heart. Happier than she’d ever imagined possible. And she loved her boys more fiercely than she could have ever dreamed.
For a moment, a quiet sadness settled over her when she thought about her childhood. It wasn’t that her mother didn’t know how to love—more like she chose not to. The thought of her mother led Sunday’s mind to Monday. They hadn’t spoken since she’d come to the farm.
Sunday knew Texas had sent money back to her sister, even though he didn’t have to. Still, she wondered if Monday ever thought about her. Maybe, once the baby was a few months old, Monday would reach out. Maybe there was still a chance for them to be a family.
If she and Texas could find love with each other, then maybe—just maybe—there was hope for her and Monday too.
THE END