Epilogue - Summer
ONE YEAR LATER
Indy’s racing toward me, and I catch her like I have for the past year and a half. She sighs and melts into my body. I’ll never get tired of this, of how utterly soft she is against me, how warm and radiating.
Today’s her thirtieth birthday, but no one could talk her out of working the last day of camp. The last of the kiddos have gone home, and after weeks of littles around, I’m glad to have a little down time. Well, as much as I can get with all of Indy’s ideas.
“We’ve got somewhere to be,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head. “But first, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
She leans back, arms still circled around my neck. “A surprise, huh?”
I chuckle, and brush my lips down over hers. “Come on.”
She allows me to put her on her feet and lead her out of the camp to the buggy.
I’ve gotten pretty good at driving the damn thing, even though the first few lessons made Indy nearly piss herself from laughing.
Waving my hand at the passenger side, she eyes me but doesn’t comment as she slides in and tosses me the keys.
Climbing into the driver’s seat, I start the engine and place my hand on the back of her headrest to back out of the spot we parked it in under the new covered barn.
“God, that’s so hot,” she murmurs, leaning over to press her lips against my neck.
“Honey,” I warn, earning another giggle from her.
Driving through the ranch gives me a strong sense of home. Of peace. This is where I belong, this is where I’ve started to build a life with the woman I love.
Parking in front of our cabin, she eyes me with a raised brow. “The surprise is our cabin?”
“You’ll see,” I tease, helping her out of the buggy and holding her hand as we head inside. Her surprise is waiting in the new closet we built on to the cabin after the events of last year.
Unlocking the door, I sweep her up bridal style and carry her into the closet. There’s a beautiful dress hanging from a makeshift rack right in the center of the space.
Indy turns and looks at me, eyes wide. “What’s this?”
“It’s your outfit for the rest of the day,” I laugh, putting her down. “Go on, put it on.”
With a squeal of excitement, she rushes toward the dress. Then she shoos me away and closes the door. When she emerges, her smile is even wider than before and she twirls. “Oh my God, it’s beautiful.”
The dress is ivory, with pink peonies and green vines in a subtle pattern across the whole thing. Cinching at her waist, she poses and shows off the slit that makes her look like a fucking goddess.
“You’re beautiful, the dress is only a bonus,” I say, swooping her into my arms and kissing her. Her hair falls down her back, covering the open part, and as I move my mouth over hers she moans. Breaking the kiss, I rest my forehead against hers. “We’re gonna be late.”
“For what?” Indy asks, looking up at me with a cheeky smile.
“You’ll see.” I promise.
We head out, back to the buggy, and she’s so giddy I can’t wait for her to see what we’ve got planned for her. I want to erase all the bad memories from last summer, to make her see the beauty of her camp again.
Pulling up to her parents house, her Mama’s waiting on the front porch, along with her Papa.
They’re both wearing their best clothes, ones they usually reserve for church.
Indy looks at me with a raised brow, but I only smile and step out.
I’ve also got to change, so Mr. and Mrs. Turner will have to field her questions.
“Oh, BeeBee,” Mr. Turner says, “you look beautiful.”
“You look pretty nifty yourself, Papa.” She turns and looks over at Mrs. Turner. “You too Mama, that’s a beautiful dress.”
Slipping into the house, I hurry to put on the matching slacks Lucy found for me, and a white button up. Rolling the sleeves up, I check my hair just to make sure it’s not flying every which way, and slip on my boots.
When Indy spots me, her mouth drops open and she quickly picks her jaw up off the porch. “Wow.”
“I’m not the star of this show,” I chuckle, “now come on.”
Mr. and Mrs. Turner laugh, following behind us as we jump into the buggy. I’m confident enough to drive, but hopefully I don’t stall it out while her parents are in here. It’s been a while since that’s happened, but never say never.
Indy gasps when she spots the beginnings of decorations on our way to the camp, eyes turning glossy and she places her hand over mine on the gear shift. “Summer.”
“Just wait, Honey,” I tell her, lifting her hand and placing a kiss on her knuckles.
When it’s all in view, and we’ve stepped out of the buggy, everyone shouts “SURPRISE!”
Lucy really outdid herself. Maybe party planning is her calling, because the whole camp is decked out in pinks and greens.
Not an inch left untouched. There’s a photo booth complete with a sparkly backdrop, a full bar set up with anything anyone could want, tables scattered throughout with centerpieces that scream Indy, showcasing her softness.
There’s a whole row of catered-looking silver dishes, waiting to be dug into, and a three tier cake with thirty emblazoned on the front in gold.
Drips of icing that looks like honey cover the top layers, and Indy’s got tears in her eyes.
“Happy Birthday, Honey,” I whisper against her temple. Lucy flies over, almost tackling Indy when her arms circle her best friend’s shoulders.
“Happy Birthday, Goose!” She says, and the two of them fall into easy laughter. Everyone else follows, wishing her a happy birthday and plenty more.
I recognize most everyone here, there are a few more people than I’d anticipated, but Indy greets everybody by name. She floats around, talking to everyone and living her best life. I can’t help but watch her as joy lights up her face.
“You’ve been good for her,” Mr. Turner surprises me.
“She’s been better for me,” I admit.
He chuckles and nods, “She has a habit of that.”
Turning to look at him, we see eye to eye. “I’m sorry again about bringing my baggage here, I never thought anything like that would happen.”
“No one ever does,” he smiles, “but don’t punish yourself for it.”
With a pat on my shoulder, he walks off to join his wife at the table with Mr. and Mrs. Harris.
Sheriff Hartley offers a subtle wave, and I walk her way. She has been patient with me the past year wanting to talk about something, and I think I know what it’s about. I’ve seen the picture in her office, I just wasn’t ready, and she never pushed me.
“Summer,” Hartley says when I get close. “I’m so proud of everything you’ve been able to do here. You seem to be settling into Goldspur Ridge really well, and I don’t want to add anything to your plate, but I made a promise to someone I love very much.”
She pauses, and my heart starts to pound in my chest at what I’ve only guessed at.
“My son’s name is Dallas Holt, and he’d really like to meet you.”
There it is.
“Is he sure–are you sure?” I ask, cautiously. I haven’t exactly had an easy life, and I don’t know what I could possibly offer him…
She nods, and my chest pulls tight. I never thought… I clear my throat before asking, “He knows about me?”
Her eyes start to well with tears and she nods, “Of course.”
“But I always thought…” I don’t know how to say it without being rude. “I just figured, with how he came about–”
“I know, but I’ve always been honest with him about where he came from,” her tears spill over and she wipes at her face.
“I’ve been trying to find a way to bring it up, but it never felt like the right time.
I certainly don’t want you to think you have to meet, but I just wanted you to know he wants to. ”
“I think I’d like that.” I say, and at my smile she lets out a small sob and smiles back, eyes shining.
“There’s no rush, so whenever you're ready give me a call. You have my number.” She says with a wink, and we both laugh.
Indy waves me over to the photo booth and demands we take pictures. Lucy and Reese join in, and soon Spencer and Heath do too. The party really starts when music blasts from speakers set up around the perimeter.
River, Zaye, Santi, and Kiri pull us onto the dance floor, and despite my initial unwillingness, I relent when Indy grabs my hands and starts moving her body.
The whole night is full of love, laughter and celebration.
I’m finally settled in the knowledge that she is as sweet as I am dirty, and with her we can be honeyed and muddied together.