Epilogue
Two months later . . .
“No, Daddy, don’t want to eat soup. I want ice cream!” Casey demanded as Jeb placed the tray of food on the nightstand next to the bed.
“Too much sugar is what got you into this trouble in the first place,” he said sternly as he sat on the bed facing her. “Remember what Max said.”
“Max knows nothing! He’s a lying liar. I think he might be a sadist.”
“He’s a dentist, not a sadist. He really gave you some good drugs, didn’t he?”
She huffed. “Not that good, I still heard him going on about how too much sugar isn’t good for you. Blah. Blah. You know, you think he would like sugar! It probably keeps him in business.”
“Ahh, so you’re saying that sugar does lead to tooth decay.”
“What? No! I never said that! Now, you’re a lying liar.”
“Be careful, little girl. Just because you had some dental work, doesn’t mean that I can’t smack your bottom.”
“Daddy, nooo,” she cried. “That’s just mean.”
He gave her a stern look and picked up a bib. Where did that come from? Ooh, it was an alligator bib with a bit at the bottom that caught all the food.
“Where did that come from, Daddy? I’m not a baby. I don’t need a bib.”
“I thought you might need it when you’re eating. It’s cute, right?”
“Really cute. But you don’t have to keep buying me stuff, Daddy. You just got me that awesome alligator dressing gown.” And she loved it.
These past two months had been the best months of her life. She’d settled into the ranch without too many hiccups. Well, a few hot bottoms, but that just seemed to be her life now.
Their first big argument had been about her car. Jeb had told her that he would be buying her a new one because hers was unsafe.
She’d told him no.
Guess who’d won?
Well. If you guessed her, then you’d be wrong. She now drove around in a brand-new SUV with a high safety rating.
Jeb had actually hired a ranch manager so that he could spend more time with her and Wyatt. Which was amazing. He and Wyatt were getting along a lot better as well.
And whenever Wyatt went on a playdate and sometimes while he was at school, she got to spend time with Daddy.
She’d talked to Jeb about getting a job, but he wanted her to think about what she truly wanted to do. And not feel pressured into having to work since he could easily provide for her.
Casey wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life, but she’d figure it out. Jordan had been a bit upset that she wasn’t moving to Santa Barbara, but she’d understood once Casey explained it all.
Casey was even starting to feel calmer around the horses. Jeb and Wyatt had helped her a lot with that. One day, she even hoped she might be able to ride Frost.
Jeb picked up the bowl of soup and held up a spoonful. It actually smelled kind of good. She’d been taking some cooking lessons in town and she was getting better. Slowly.
She swallowed the soup.
All right. That was really good. It kind of warmed her from the inside out.
She’d hidden her tooth issue from Jeb for as long as she could, but when she’d curled up in agony last night, he’d forced her to the dentist this morning.
Unfortunately, Max had said the tooth had to be taken care of immediately.
“See? That’s good, isn’t it?” Jeb asked.
“I guess so. I still think ice cream would be better, though, Daddy.”
“I know you do. I’ve got to grab Wyatt from the bus soon, so I want you to have a few more mouthfuls.”
“I can get him!”
“No. Ed said you had some strong drugs and to rest for a while.”
Pfft.
Wyatt was enjoying school much better now that Billy was gone. His family had packed up hastily and moved about two months ago. Soon after Jeb learned about the rumors Billy’s father had been spreading.
Strangely, Megan had left about the same time.
She didn’t know what Jeb had done. When she’d asked him, he just said that he’d had a word with them. Had he threatened them? She had no idea and she didn’t actually care. He’d taken care of things. He’d protected her and Wyatt.
And that was what counted.
He’d held back with Happy, it seemed, since he was still in town. Although it seemed that the sheriff had him under heavy supervision.
The sound of a car door slamming shut had him setting aside the bowl of food and moving to the window.
“Hmm. Stay here, little girl. Hear me?” Jeb said sternly.
“Who is it?”
“No one you need to worry about. I’ll be back in a moment.”
No one she needed to worry about? Why didn’t she believe him?
Deciding that she needed to investigate, she took off her bib. Then she got up and grabbed her dressing gown, drawing it on before she made her way out of the bedroom.
There were voices below from the porch and she made her way carefully down the stairs, stopping at the bottom as she heard him.
What was he doing here? How had he found her?
She stepped up to the open doorway.
“I don’t know why the fuck you’re trying to ruin my business and reputation,” her father yelled at Jeb. “But you won’t get away with it!”
Jeb was trying to ruin her father?
For her?
Warmth flooded her. If she hadn’t already been in love with him, she’d have fallen for him now.
Jeb was leaning against a post, with his arms crossed over his chest.
“I think I’ve already done a good job of that,” he drawled. “You’re done, George. Might as well sell up and retire. At least the land is worth something.”
“Generations of Reynolds have lived there! I have sons who rely on that business for a living. They deserve to inherit it. I won’t sell.”
“And what about your daughter?” she asked as she moved to stand by Jeb. “What about what she deserved?”
Her father took a step back, visibly shaken by her appearance. “You. You’re behind this? Ruining your own father and brothers?”
“Actually, Casey had no idea what I was doing,” Jeb said.
“I just took it upon myself to treat you the way you’ve treated her for years.
As for your sons, I heard they’ve all left.
And that you’ve got nothing. Which is exactly what you deserve.
Now, you’re gonna leave before I’m forced to call the sheriff. ”
“You bitch!” her father snarled. “I knew I should never have let your mother keep you. Useless bitch. Just like she was.”
“Not sure what she ever saw in you,” Casey told him. “But you need to leave now. Jeb doesn’t like to repeat himself.”
“Maybe I’ll just ruin you!” her father blustered as he headed back to his truck.
Jeb just laughed. “Good luck.”
Her father sped off and she turned to give Jeb a concerned look. “What if he creates trouble for you?”
Jeb shook his head. “Your father thought he was untouchable. But no one is. However, I’ve got some good friends in high places.
Friends who aren’t afraid to work outside the law if they need to.
I’ll be fine. That was just the threat of a desperate man.
Now, didn’t I tell you to stay in bed? Seems that someone needs a bottom warming. ”
She hugged him tight. “Thank you. Thank you for always looking after me. Thank you for being mine.”
“Always, baby. Always.”
The End