Epilogue
FAITH
THREE MONTHS LATER
Thank goodness Travis kept me from selling her in a moment of desperation. I couldn’t help but tear up when he later admitted the car was his gift to me, and he’d never had any intention of auctioning her off.
He was just looking for a way to get to know me better and keep me from making a huge mistake.
He couldn’t have been more right. I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.
She’s so much more than a beloved muscle car.
She was my dad’s pride and joy, and I feel closer to him every time I work on her or drive her.
Today, it feels like Dad’s smiling down on us .
Ryder’s already got a thick head of dark hair like his daddy and the same straight nose and inquisitive dark eyes. He fell asleep on the car ride over, and he looks none too happy to be awakened from his nap, letting out a mournful little cry.
I hear the trunk slam shut, and Travis heads around to the passenger side of the car, holding the baby carrier in one hand and Ryder’s diaper bag in the other. I put Ryder on my shoulder, rocking him gently and delighting in the feel of his soft, warm cheek and silky hair against my shoulder.
I carefully lean back and step away from the car door as Travis slams it shut.
“Alright, who’s wearing him?” he asks matter-of-factly, and I can tell by his voice he’s ready to struggle into the carrier even though it’s not made for a man his size.
He loves carrying his son around proudly on his chest, and I couldn’t ask for a more attentive husband or daddy to our baby.
But I have to dash his hopes today. “Why don’t you take Little Man for a moment while I get the carrier on. After all, you’re going to have your hands full checking out and measuring that sign.”
Travis takes him from me gently, and I can’t help but steal a couple of glances at the huge, burly firefighter rocking his mini-me as I slip into the carrier.
Then, he helps me get the baby situated before taking my hand.
Travis grabs the diaper bag, and we head into the barbecue joint with the flying pig sign to see Grace and Harvey.
“I wonder if they’ll remember us,” I ask as we walk into the darkly lit place. Travis looks over his shoulder at me with a sweet smile, and I know the same waves of memory are washing over both of us.
Grace has her back to us when we enter. Turning around, she takes one look at us and covers her mouth with her hands, letting out a cute little squeal. She’s still got what Travis refers to as “gray cream puff hair” atop her head, and Harvey looks as reticent as ever.
“Oh, my goodness!” she cries, rounding the counter to hug Travis and me before looking adoringly at Ryder. He’s relaxed now and on the edge of falling asleep, but he stares at her gravely with curious eyes and a furrowed brow. “He’s adorable!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Travis says with a beaming face, removing his cowboy hat and holding it over his chest.
“And he looks just like you!” she exclaims, her head bobbing back and forth between Travis and Ryder.
“I know, doesn’t he?” I pipe up with a smile.
Grace continues, “So, you decided to go to the cemetery, after all?” She’s got a twinkle in her eyes.
My cheeks flush, and Travis looks our direction, saying with an easy drawl, “No, ma’am, Ryder’s not a cemetery baby.”
“He’s a hot springs baby, then? You know, we have plenty of those in this town, too.”
Travis shakes his head, looking at me with love-filled eyes as my cheeks burn some more.
Grace laughs, winking. “And what can I do you two for?”
“Ma’am, we definitely want to load up on your delicious fixings.
Best barbecue I’ve had in I-don’t-know-when.
But first things first. I’m here about that sign of yours.
Faith and I would like to get it in working order.
I’d like to take some measurements and match paint shades.
Then, we’ll set up a time to come back and fix it up. If that works for you two?”
Harvey pipes in, “I still don’t have much in the way of money to pay you.”
Travis brushes away his concern with a shake of his head. “No need, sir. Consider it a way for Faith and I to give back to the community. Now, what are your thoughts about adding a little neon to it? I was thinking it might help out with attracting visitors after dark.”
Tears fill Grace’s eyes as she looks at Harvey, and he cracks the first smile I’ve ever seen on his face. “That sounds like a deal, son. Shall we go outside and hash out the details?”
“Yes, sir.”
My eyes linger over Travis’s impressive physique as the two men head outside to take a look at the sign. I don’t know what I did to get such a handsome, generous, loving man, but I’m bound and determined to make sure he knows how much I love him and Ryder every day.
“What a handsome baby! He’s going to be a heartbreaker like his daddy,” Grace says, stroking Ryder’s face gently.
Pride warms my heart as she coos and fusses over Ryder. “Would you like to hold our hot springs baby?” I ask, embracing the small-town tradition.
“Absolutely!” she exclaims, putting out her arms enthusiastically for our baby to fill.