Epilogue
One year later
Lacey
It is astonishing the difference a year can make.
A year ago, my mother passed away, we had her funeral, and my world got turned upside down. A year ago, I was drowning in grief and didn’t think I would make it to the other side. Plus, my mother gave me orders from beyond the grave that I swore would age me ten plus years.
It aged me in the best way.
“Thank-you, David.” Beckett tells the owner of the lumber yard as he unloads the framing boards for our home.
“You get to work building this woman of yours the house of her dreams.” David pats him on the back before walking off and leaving in his truck, shooting me one last grin.
Beckett and Carson are building our home out on the part of the pasture I always dreamed of it being. Beckett gave up his career of bull riding right after he and Carson made amends. He wanted to help here on the ranch with his family.
I tried to talk him out of it, but he said it was what he wanted, so I supported him.
His agent on the other hand, was a little upset, but she understood why he was doing it. To have him here, with me, though, has been more than a dream.
I continued working with the filly, and now she is my favorite ranch horse we have in the stables.
I ended up naming her Jane, after my mother.
The strongest woman I ever knew, and I saw that same strength inside those four legs.
Honestly, she reminds me of my daddy’s gelding, Nugget.
She loves going on pasture checks, and Beckett has taken her on a camp out once.
He praised her when they got back the next morning.
“What are you grinning for?” Beckett walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, kissing me on the forehead.
“You’re making my dream come true.” I beam up at him.
“No, you’re making mine come true,” he says, reaching down and rubbing my belly. I am currently four months pregnant with our first child, and I cannot wait to raise the next generation of Scars Creek Ranch here, in the same fields where I grew up.
“Are Briggs and Gunner coming over tonight for supper?” Beckett asks, and I laugh. He loves having Gunner over, and I know Briggs is grateful for the village we are to him now.
“Yes, I think so. Lexie is coming too.”
“Oh good! I can’t wait until we can fill up our own kitchen table with guests and babies.” He is so excited for our next adventure, sometimes I think he is more excited than I am, and I am over the moon excited.
“Alright, let’s get this framing going!” Carson shouts from the foundation that was poured last week.
“You two be careful, please,” I order.
“Don’t worry. The boss is here.” Briggs comes up behind me on his horse. “These two are liable to make your house crooked.”
I laugh. “I honestly wouldn’t be shocked. Are you and Gunner man coming for dinner tonight?”
“We would love to,” he smiles. “How are you feeling today?”
“Hormonal.” I laugh but he doesn’t. I think I scare all of them with how quickly I change with my hormones.
“Leave my lady alone,” Beckett teases.
While the men go on with their bickering, I look around the field I am standing in, thinking about my mama and daddy and all the memories on this land.
My daddy was right; Scars Creek was a perfect name for this ranch.
Bad things happen, but we have to keep moving despite them.
If we sit in stagnant water, that is when troubles get thicker, diseases happen, anxiety takes over.
Instead, if we flow with it, we learn to live on, make new memories, and smile again.
Life isn’t fair. I could sit and wallow in pity for not having my mother here when I bring my child into this world, or my daddy not being here to help build my home with my favorite guys.
But what good would that do other than steal me from all the joys I could be experiencing; like my baby kicking, watching the framing go up, and seeing the house come to life, sitting around the dinner table with those I love who are alive and here today.
I will remember my parents and continue the legacy I promised my father I would by carrying on this ranch.
How lucky am I to have loved something so much that I get to miss them every day, but also do something new for them while I am still here.
“Does this look right?” Beckett pulls me out of my thoughts.
I look up to see my man on one knee on the foundation of our home where the front porch will be: a ring box in his hand.
I gasp, running up to him, Briggs and Carson smiling down on both of us.
I would have missed all of this had I let my grief consume me.
My mama told me to go and keep on living; that is exactly what I am going to do.
“I love you, Lacey Taylor. Marry me.”
“I love you, Beckett King. Of course I will.”
“About damn time!” Carson hoots.