Epilogue
When Joe and Chloe arrived at Rick and Mallory’s house for Christmas, their hosts opened the front door before they could even get out of the new truck Joe purchased to replace Ol’ Greenie.
Just two weeks ago, he didn’t even know he had a family. And now he was spending the holidays with his brother and sister-in-law, his nephew, and his soon-to-be fiancée—assuming Chloe said yes when she opened her Christmas gift.
As Joe reached into the back of the truck for their presents, Chloe carried a foil-covered pan up the sidewalk.
“What do you have there?” Mallory asked. “You didn’t need to bring anything.”
“Rick will want these,” Joe said. “I used Tía Rosa’s recipe. It won’t be Christmas without them.”
“You brought tamales?” Rick asked as he ushered them inside. His eyes lit up as he breathed in the spicy scent from the still-warm pan.
“I sure did.”
Neither man mentioned the fact that most Christmases after their parents died hadn’t been merry or bright. They’d often been ruined by their uncle’s drunken escapades or alcoholic rants. But one thing they could always count on having were Tía’s tamales.
From what Joe had heard, their aunt and uncle’s home was a happy one these days. So he planned to visit them sometime next week.
“I’d planned to bring some of my cranberry orange scones,” Chloe told Mallory, “But Joe ate them all.”
“Don’t worry. Megan, Clay’s wife, has been baking up a storm and brought a ton of desserts. Come on, I’ll show you. She’s in the kitchen, setting them out.”
Joe had been looking forward to seeing Clay, his old high school buddy. He was also eager to meet Megan. He’d heard she was not only a fabulous cook, but had just launched her own line of homemade jams and preserves. There was talk of her opening a bakery, too.
“Did you hear what happened to drunk Larry?” Rick asked.
That was the driver of the Silverado that had hit Joe outside the Stagecoach Inn. “I knew his wife talked him into turning himself in right before Sheriff Hollister was going to make an arrest. And that he’s out on bail.”
“Apparently he decided to celebrate his freedom at a bar in Wexler two nights ago and was involved in another accident.”
“No kidding? You’d think he would have learned his lesson.”
“This time he hit a squad car driven by one of Wexler’s finest,” Rick said. “So it looks like he won’t be driving or drinking for a while.”
Joe was glad to hear that.
“Come on.” Rick placed a hand on Joe’s back. “Let’s go find Clay.”
“Good idea.”
The reunion between the men—once three of Brighton Valley’s most notorious outcasts—was soon filled with good-natured teasing and laughter.
They didn’t do much reminiscing, since none of them had the kind of past that had made Christmas special.
But in true holiday spirit, they focused on the new blessings life had brought their way.
As Joe glanced around the crowded house, he saw that the kids were having a good time, too.
His nephew Lucas, who actually did look a whole lot like him, had hit it off with Tyler, Clay and Megan’s son.
The boys sat near the tree, checking out their new video games and trying to decide which one to play first. And Lisa, Tyler’s sister, was begging to go outside and try out her new soccer ball.
As Mallory passed out the eggnog, Rick stopped her long enough to pat her baby bump.
A warm and tender moment passed between the obviously happy couple, which was enough to make Joe both grateful and envious at the same time.
Maybe, if things went the way he hoped they would, he and Chloe would be adding to the Martinez clan one of these days.
“With the way the family is growing,” Rick said, “we may have to move this party to the ranch next Christmas.”
“I’d love that,” Chloe said as she joined Rick near the hearth.
“Speaking of the ranch,” Mallory said, “is the probate going okay?”
“Mr. McDougall seems to think it should move along without any snags. And once that’s done, we should be able to start making changes to the ranch house and open the Brighton Valley Retired Cowboys’ Home. We hope to welcome our first residents by spring.”
“Actually,” Joe said, “Sam Darnell, our first cowboy, will be moving in next week. He’s a great guy. You’ll have to come meet him. He’ll be helping me learn the ins and outs of ranching.”
“I never expected you to grow up to be a cowboy, Joey.” Rick chuckled and gave him a brotherly nudge. “Of course, I never expected you to be a soldier, either.”
“Why’s that?” Joe asked.
“Because I wouldn’t have thought you’d make it through boot camp.”
“Well, I did. And if you think that was unbelievable, you’re about to see a real miracle.” He grabbed the wrapped box from beneath the tree and headed toward Chloe, who was seated on the sofa, talking to both Megan and Mallory.
Joe handed her the large gift with a bright red bow. “Merry Christmas, Chloe.”
She looked at it in confusion, probably wondering when he’d had a chance to buy her anything. Then her gaze lifted to his. “But, Joe, I thought we weren’t exchanging gifts until tomorrow morning.”
Well, some of the things he’d bought her, like the black lace nightie he’d picked up at The Cowboy Connection in Houston, would have to wait until they were alone. But this was one he wanted to give her in front of his family and friends.
“I know,” he said, “but indulge me and open this tonight.” He stood before her and waited as she slowly removed the ribbon and unwrapped the box.
When she lifted the lid and spotted the red cowboy boots she’d admired, her breath caught and a smile burst across her pretty face. “Joe, you remembered!”
He grinned, his heart swelling until he felt like the hero the military claimed he was.
“Try them on,” he said.
“I’m sure they’ll fit. Besides, I’d rather try them on at home.”
“Please. Do it for me. I’d like to see how they look on you.”
She balked one more time, but at his gentle urging, she removed her shoes. Then she slipped her foot partway into the right boot and frowned. “There must be cardboard or something shoved in there to keep the shape.”
After removing her foot, she reached into the boot to retrieve whatever was stuffed inside, only to find a small, black velvet box. She gasped, then studied it in awe before realizing Joe had placed it there and had intended for her to find it.
By the time she flipped open the lid and spotted the sparkling diamond ring, Joe was down on one knee. “I love you, Chloe Dawson. Will you marry me?”
Her eyes sparkled, and she broke into a happy smile. “Yes!”
Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, making a Christmas memory neither of them would ever forget.