Epilogue
Six months ago, Denton Reed proposed to me at his show in Phoenix, Arizona, in front of twenty thousand people. I of course said yes to him.
When he sang my song and changed the lyrics to “I’m going to give you a ring” my heart leaped out of my fucking chest. He called me onto the stage—I was so nervous but I’d been in front of huge crowds before. I told myself, It’s just like a rodeo.
When I got to center stage with him, I saw my whole family was in the pit right up front.
Mom and Sable, Dad, Sutton, Ryder, and Trotter.
I couldn’t believe it. Seeing all of them there had already made me start to cry, but when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, I lost it. It was the best night of our lives.
When we checked into our VRBO in Cave Creek, Arizona, the next day, Charli and my family surprised us with an engagement party.
The place was beautiful—settled into the mountains and surrounded by the Arizona desert.
It was so different than Montana but no less beautiful as the sky was painted orange and pink that night.
Everyone was there, Denton’s family and mine, along with some of our closest friends.
I was shocked to find out Dad and Sutton left the ranch in charge to Walker.
But I think it was a good excuse for everyone to get away from the frigid Montana winter for a little while.
My heart felt like it was going to overflow with love that night.
It’s summer again here at the ranch. The guesthouse is full—Denton’s mom and sister, my mom, Sable—everyone’s all here.
It’s been so fun working on wedding planning, dress shopping, and they’re throwing me a bridal shower soon.
Even Sutton is helping out. We’re having a winter wedding this year.
It’s fast, but Denton was ready to get married yesterday, and I can confidently say I’m more than ready too.
His tour is almost over. He’s decided to take the next year off and has booked gigs every weekend at the Wagon Wheel. The band is going to be living in the bunkhouses with the ranch hands. Maybe we’ll make real cowboys of them after all.
I’m sitting outside overlooking the ranch on the porch swing.
“What’s going through that pretty head of yours, my sweet fiancée?” Denton asks me.
“Honestly?”
He looks at me like I should know better.
“I was just thinking back to how we got here. I was wondering if we didn’t go through everything we had with Kenzington, would we be where we are today?”
“And?” Denton says.
“I don’t think we would. I think in a way it brought us together. I think maybe that’s what really brings people together. Challenges.”
“I get that. But I’m glad we haven’t had anymore challenges,” he quips.
We rock back and forth in that familiar silence, just like we always have, Dash curled in my lap and my head tucked into Denton’s chest.
I think I’m done with challenges too.
Huck Kenzington's trial is scheduled at the end of this year. I’m still deciding whether I want to attend it. I’ve closed that chapter of my life. I’ve healed from the trauma he caused. And with the help of Denton, I broke down my walls and I feel more alive than ever.
I love the person I’ve become with him. They say there’s something about working on yourself alone, but what about growing together?
That’s exactly what we’ve done. Two people—both flawed—but evolving, navigating challenges together, and continuing to become better versions of ourselves each and every day. Now that’s true love.