Epilogue
JULY
Lamont
Tell your fiancée the article was amazing.
Chris
Yeah, looks like that Aaron dude turned things around.
Tuck
She’s happy with it.
Lamont
She’ll have to sign my copy the next time we meet.
Chris
Same
Tuck smiled at the texts. He’d been skeptical when Aaron sent Piper a finished article with a plea to read it before making a decision. And he did give her the choice whether or not the article would be published.
Seeing the photo of her, Tuck, Gabe, and Dream in the winner’s circle to the left of the printed article was pretty bizarre.
“Unreal, huh?” Piper asked as she snuggled her back into his chest.
“Very.”
“I’m glad I agreed to it. Aaron was sincere in his regret, and the article reads well.”
“Mm-hmm.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s certainly garnered us a lot more attention.”
“Nah.” She tilted her head up, grinning at him. “Think that was the Derby win.”
“Oh, that ol’ thing?” He pointed toward the trophy on his mantel.
Piper laughed. “Want to go for a walk and daydream?”
“Let’s do it.” They put on their boots, and soon they were walking his portion of their land.
They’d filed paperwork with the county to merge the properties, and already they were having the fencing between his land and hers removed. They were also still praying over what to name their new operation.
“So whose house should we move into after the wedding?” Piper sat up to look at him this time.
“Depends on our needs, I guess. You have two guest bedrooms.”
“So do you.”
Oh yeah. “But you have a basement.”
“You have a track.”
He smirked at her. “We could always remodel one and keep the other as a guest house. Maybe then Lamont and Chris would visit more often.”
Piper nodded slowly. “I like the idea of a guest house, but it probably doesn’t need to be the size of either of our houses. So maybe we live in your house while we tear mine down and build our dream home.”
“I like.”
Piper paused and met his gaze. “Are you sure you made the right decision not joining the other trainers?”
“I am. Kelly Shaw was offering an awesome opportunity, but I’m betting on us. That’s our future.”
She kissed his cheek. “I like the sound of that.”
“And I like your idea of turning our operation into a full-fledged training venue. Are you sure you won’t regret not raising your own racehorses?”
Piper wrapped her arms around his waist. “Not at all. You know I didn’t buy those horses at the auction because my thoughts were already beginning to shift. I’ve got a Derby win to remind me of this season, but it’s not one I want to stay in. Training with you is a lot better than deciding which horses to buy and the whole siring process. I don’t want our business to turn into another Bolt Brook.”
It had been hard to see her dad stripped of all rights to run his farm, part of the plea deal agreement. Fortunately, though, Piper’s mama had returned home, and she and Mr. McKinney were in the process of selling their property and downsizing. They were also going to weekly marriage counseling.
“Then we won’t raise them.”
“I also want a dog.”
He tugged her closer. “What kind?”
“Australian shepherd?”
“To chase the goats?”
“But of course.”
“Then let’s get one.” He’d give her everything in his power. “Promise me something.” He pulled back to stare into her eyes.
“What’s that?”
“Promise we’ll continue to dream with each other. To share our ideas and ensure we’re on the same track.”
“I promise, Tucker Hale.”
He cupped her face and grazed his lips against hers. When she wound her arms around his neck, he pressed his mouth firmly to hers, cementing the promise, reminding her how much he loved her and their life together.
Together.
It was what he wanted with Piper for the rest of their days. He prayed they’d always communicate, stay on the same page, and support each other in every endeavor. Because what they had was bigger than friendship. It was a partnership that melded them together in every way, and Tuck hoped he’d always remember to foster their love above all else.