EPILOGUE
MATTI
We leapt. Not just for each other. But we’ve taken every opportunity to leap since.
“What do you think?”
Nessa looks back and forth one more time. “I think the barn is so close we’ll wind up with horses on our front porch sooner or later.” She grins. “I love it.”
“We’re seriously doing this?” Isobel asks for the hundredth time, still bouncing on the balls of her feet with the same excitement she’s had ever since we broke the news to them. “We’re going to live on a farm.”
“A ranch,” I correct her. “We’re not doing cows or pigs or chickens or anything in the farm arena. We’re going to have horses.”
“And a garden,” Ness adds, eyes bright and her face glowing. “A big garden. And a compost. And maybe a small orchard.”
“Yeah, all of that,” I agree, with a soft laugh. Hearing her dreams for this place bubble out of her at a steady stream has been the best part of it all.
“I can’t believe you’re trying to turn all of us into cowboys.” Nate’s the only one we haven’t been able to sell with the same level of enthusiasm.
I’m confident he’ll come around, but in the meantime, “There’s space behind the garage for a few ramps, rails, and even a halfpipe. I already talked to a guy who said he could set you up with a real solid skating space.”
Nate’s entire expression changes. For a second, I think he might revert to the happy dance he used to do on Christmas morning right up until he turned ten.
Double digits apparently lend themselves well to being the cutoff for childish enthusiasm.
Personally, I think it’s bullshit. I still like a good happy dance every chance I get.
Meanwhile, Nate’s too cool for those at the moment, so he reins in his flash of excitement to deliver a very low-key but pleased, “Cool. Then I’m in.”
“Awesome.” I pat his shoulder. “You didn’t really have a choice. But I’m pleased to hear you’ll come along willingly.”
He makes the effort to feign annoyance, but it’s short-lived before the thrill of a looming adventure gets the better of him. “Come on, Isobel. Let’s check out the woods behind the house. See if we have any good climbing trees.”
Nessa catches my gaze and both of us smile. I hope they always love climbing trees. Hope they always stay brave enough to chase new heights. That they never forget the depth of their roots. Or the love they were grown from.
THE END.