32. Epilogue
GRACIE
Two Weeks Later
S howtime.
On the opening day of Lonesome Creek Ranch, the late afternoon sun bathed the cozy town in a warm golden light, casting long, lazy shadows across the wooden storefronts. The big red barn, decked out in ribbons and adorned with wildflowers, stood proudly at the edge of it all, its fresh paint gleaming. Music spilled from the saloon, a cheerful tune blending with the sound of laughter and spurred boots against the boardwalk. Everywhere I looked, guests wandered the main street, a moving picture of the human-orc Wild West dream my new family had built.
I squeezed Tark’s hand, my heart swelling. The opening was a success. The town looked perfect. Reservations were booked ahead for months. And this wedding? This wedding was going to generate even more excitement. A wealthy human’s extravagant celebration, right here in our little town. One more thing proving Tark and his brothers' vision had been right all along.
Beside me, Tark stood tall, his cowboy hat casting a shadow over his sharp jawline, his dark eyes scanning the scene with something close to awe. Maybe even pride.
Sharga sat on my shoulder, preening as if he was responsible for it all and Podar, secure in his harness that he adored, sat at my side, his purr rumbling through his chest. He kept sniffing my leg, and his whiskers tickled.
“You did it,” I told Tark.
“ We did it.” He lifted my knuckles for a soft kiss. “Together.”
I grinned. “Be honest. Did you ever think marketing to humans meant you’d be hosting elaborate weddings?”
He grunted, shifting his weight. “No. But humans seem to like them. They also seem to like throwing grain at the newly mated couple. Which is wasteful. Chumbles would eat that. Though maybe the mama one will. Tonight. She’ll bring her chicks with her.”
“As long as she stays far away from me.” I laughed, leaning into his side. “That’s rice, love. It's tradition.”
He tilted his head, considering this. “Would you want a wedding like this?”
I blinked up at him, my heart skipping.
We'd done things the orc way already. The quiet, intimate claiming. No fanfare, no grand events. Just him and me and all the promises wrapped up in his steady hands.
“Maybe one day, we could add a few human touches. For fun.”
His grip on my hand tightened. He liked that idea. A lot.
Tark might not always say what was in his heart, but I could feel it in every touch, every glance. And right now? It was there in the curl of his fingers around mine.
Movement at the barn’s side door caught my eye, though it was a challenge to see in the moonlight.
A woman dressed in very familiar white fabric tumbled out of the window on the right side of the barn, landing on her ass on the ground. She rose and stepped out of the shadows, her gown bundled awkwardly in her arms. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she crept along the path weaving beside the barn, only pausing at the end. Looking back again. This time, the moonlight lit up her pretty face—and highlighted the despair in her eyes.
I blinked. “Uh… Is the bride going for a pre-wedding walk?” Even as I said it, I knew that couldn’t be true. She’d bailed out the bathroom window.
“Why would she?”
“Because if she’s not taking a stroll in the moonlight, she’s ditching her own wedding.”
Tark followed my gaze. “That would be foolish. This is a very large wedding. The male is wealthy. Important.”
I squinted. “Tark, that’s totally her. She’s running away. Should we call out or go after her?”
He frowned. “That isn't our concern. The human female should have planned better. If she didn't want to be mated, she should've spoken before now.”
I snorted, shaking my head. “You make it sound simple.”
He lifted a shoulder. “It is.”
Before I could argue, another movement followed in the bride’s wake. A massive orc stepped away from the barn. He stood in place for a moment, watching her slip down the alley before hurrying after her.
I froze.
Tark’s frown deepened.
We exchanged a slow, loaded look.
“Please tell me that’s not one of your brothers,” I whispered, my stomach twisting.
Tark squinted. “It’s Ruugar if I’m not mistaken.”
I groaned when the moonlight hit him. “Is he stealing the bride?”
“He looks more like he's chasing her than stealing her.” We watched as both the bride and the orc disappeared behind the barn. “Orc relationships can be complicated.”
I shook my head. “I don’t even want to know what’s going on. Not today.”
Silence fell between us as we both continued to stare at the empty space where the bride and Ruugar had vanished. Even Podar and Sharga gazed in that direction.
Finally, I tilted my head to look up at Tark. “Should we say something to the groom?”
“No.”
“He might want to know.”
“I believe he'll soon find out on his own.”
We stood there, unmoving. Then we both started laughing.
Tark’s deep, rumbling chuckles filled the air, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. Torn between amusement and disbelief, I pressed a palm to my forehead. Even Sharga released a meow that was echoed by Podar.
“Only in Lonesome Creek could something like this happen,” I said, still laughing, shaking my head in disbelief.
“Only here.” Tark's lips quirked with a grin that made my heart flutter.
He released my hand to wrap his arm around my waist, pulling me fully against him. I leaned into his solid presence, relishing the warmth radiating from his body. The noise of the crowd faded into the background as we turned and started to make our way toward the ranch house we now shared with Podar padding beside us.
“I can't believe I was thinking about how romantic the wedding would be.” I glanced over my shoulder at the barn. “Now it feels like a scene from a romcom. She's Lonesome Creek's first runaway bride.”
Tark snorted. “It’s not a room with a com if it involves running away.”
I laughed, the sound bubbling up, feeling alive despite the strange situation. “You have no drama in your bones.”
“I prefer stability, not unnecessary heartache. If you wish for drama, I would suggest videoing one of my brothers’ courtships. Now that is a story worth watching.”
“Maybe we should ask them to be the entertainment at our wedding?” I teased. “Imagine the spectacle. Dungar strumming that banjo and Sel swaying his hips and yodeling. We could charge admission.”
“Only if I get to wear my hat and be a silent, stoic cowboy nearby. That type of male is the most powerful hero in the streaming images.”
“You're still watching them?”
“All the time.”
“I don't see you doing it.”
He grinned down at me. “I keep them hidden. I’m taking notes, and I have some ideas.”
I loved his ideas. This guy made my toes curl, my heart melt, and my spine tingle all the time.
As we headed out of town, opting to walk the mile or so to our home, the scent of wildflowers and the savory aroma of BBQ wafting from the restaurant’s grill floated through the air. Our laughter skipped along with it.
Despite the runaway bride, this was a good beginning for the town and for us.
“Makzug ka thrakat,” I said, orcish for I love you.
“Makzug ka thrakat,” he said right back at me, his arm tightening around me.
I didn’t think my heart could be any happier.
As we neared our ranch house, the evening sun dipped lower toward the horizon, painting everything in shades of orange and pink. It felt like a promise, welcoming a life that lay wide open before us.
The best things in life weren’t found under bright lights or behind a camera.
They were right here in Podar’s purr. Sharga’s meow. And me walking arm and arm with my orc cowboy, striding into the future we were building together.
I hope you enjoyed Tark & Gracie’s story!
Look for Rough Riding Orc Cowboy next.
Find out if Ruugar truly has stolen a bride.