EPILOGUE I
LYRIC
The wedding ceremony was beautiful. Ridge and Darcy stood before all of us as an example of just how wonderful and perfect love can be. He cried when she came down the aisle. Lou as flower girl was precious.
As I stood next to Darcy up there, I couldn’t help but stare across at the man I love. He stared right back. And when they were saying their vows, he winked at me.
Since our kitchen confession, I haven’t slept in my own room.
All my stuff is still in there, but at this point, it serves as a very large walk-in closet.
Not that I’m complaining. Each night I curl up into Waylon’s side and Tater is always close by—sometimes at our feet and other times he weasels his way between us.
Now, we’re at the reception and I’m watching Waylon twirl Lou around the dance floor. I think Waylon would make a good dad. The way he is with Lou is precious—attentive and warm. What a wild thought to be having right now. Keep it simple, I remind myself.
The song ends and Waylon’s eyes pan over to me. He saunters over, extending his hand to me.
“Come here,” he says. “I have something to show you.”
He leads me to a small room we used earlier for a cocktail hour. But as he opens the door, I find it’s been transformed. Gone are the small tables, and instead my eyes grow wide at all the small play pens full of puppies.
“Lou insisted that we bring in puppies and dogs from this local rescue, Loving Paws, and she’s making all the guests come in here to see if they want to take one home with them,” he says.
“Oh my gosh, this is incredible.” My eyes dart from one pen to the next. There must be thirty dogs of all ages and sizes here.
I’m not surprised in the least that Lou was able to convince her dad and Darcy to do this. She can be very persistent and persuasive. Mostly just persistent.
“So?” he says, turning to me. “What do you think?”
“About what?”
“Becoming fur parents, of course,” he says with a laugh.
“Are you serious?” Tears prick the corners of my eyes.
“I mean, you already are a fantastic mom to Tater,” he says. “But I didn’t know if you felt like he’s more just my dog still. I thought we could bring him home a brother or sister. Together.”
“Yes!” I throw my arms around his neck, kissing him all over his face.
He holds me tight around my waist, trying to keep us both from toppling over.
“So, which one is right for our little family?” His hand pans out over the room, and I’m struck with a sense of guilt that I have to choose.
I look all around, examining each little face and happy to know Lou will make damn sure she gets new homes for as many as she can today.
Then I see it—the cutest little reddish-brown face poking its head up over the edge of the enclosure. It’s not barking its head off like the rest, but it is a curious thing, taking in its surroundings, searching for something.
“That one.” I point and step over to it. A quick look at the underside tells me she’s a girl. I pick her up and bring her close to my face, cradling her bottom with my arm.
“Hey, pretty girl,” I whisper. “Would you like to come with us?” She responds with a bark—the first one she’s made—and licks my cheek.
“I think that’s a yes,” Waylon says. “We just have to think of a name.”
“Hmm… how about Bean?”
“Bean?” he asks.
Just then, the puppy’s ears perk up and she barks again.
“See.”
“Bean it is. Hi, Bean!” he says, rubbing her head.
“Welcome to our little family, Beanie Weenie Boo!” I squeeze her tight to my chest and kiss the top of her head.
Waylon runs his hand in circles over the small of my back and smiles. His eyes roam over my face, appreciation in his expression.
I plant a lingering kiss on his lips and ask, “What?”
“Nothing,” he says, sighing. “I’m just happy, darlin’.”
I lean into him, nuzzling his chest. “Me too, cowboy. Me too.”