Epilogue
Three Months Later
“Only two more eggs left to find,” Jocelyn said. “Where could they be, Maverick?”
Chance watched Maverick run around her condo looking for eggs that he’d hidden the night before.
This time next year, they’d be looking for them in the new house that broke ground a few weeks ago.
When she was looking at home designs, he’d kept most of his opinions to himself. She asked his opinions and he often said he didn’t care, which he didn’t. He wasn’t fussy about those things. All he wanted was them to be together.
“Mav,” he said. “Doesn’t that cushion look funny?”
His son ran to the chair cushion he was pointing to, his footed pajamas still on, his dark hair standing in all directions.
They’d bathe and dress him after breakfast and Jocelyn would make sure his hair was combed perfectly.
Maverick threw the chair’s pillow off and found it. He held it up in his hands. “Egg, egg.”
“What color is it?” Jocelyn asked.
“Blue,” Maverick said.
His son was catching on fast, relief over that at least.
Baylee’s trial ended last week and she was sentenced to three years in jail because of the quantity of drugs she’d had on her. That was a few years of peace in his mind and that was how he was going to take it for now.
“Good job,” he said.
A minute later, his son found his last egg. Then they brought out a big Easter basket and let him pull out coloring books, crayons, puzzles, cars, and a little bit of candy.
“I’m going to make breakfast now that all the excitement is done.”
She had no clue that it wasn’t.
Chance made sure that Maverick was playing, then went to the kitchen with her to help.
Jocelyn pulled the pan out and bread, then milk and eggs. When she opened the carton to get the eggs there was another plastic one in there.
“What is this?” she asked, laughing.
“Looks like you get the big prize. You found a bonus one.”
She picked it up and it rattled, so he took it out of her hand, then twisted the top off, putting the diamond ring in his hand, then getting down on one knee.
“Oh wow,” she said. “Is this really happening?”
“It is. We know what each of us brings to the table. We know what we feel for each other too.”
“We do,” she said. “I’m so happy to hear you say that. We’re equals.”
“Our love is,” he said. “That is all I care about. I’m asking you to be my wife. A mother to my son. Let us both learn from you. Learn from each other. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she yelled. “Yes, yes, yes.”
She threw her arms around him, both of them landing on the floor.
Maverick came running. “Dad, dad, dad.” Then dove right on top of them.
Chance had his arm around his son, and the other around Jocelyn.
He finally got the family he’d always wished for.
“Oh my God,” Stacy said to Diane and Carolyn later that night on the phone. “I hadn’t expected Jocelyn and Chance to get engaged so quickly, but she ran in to show me the ring right before dinner.”
“When it’s right, it is,” Diane said. “As our kids get older, they move faster. Time is ticking.”
“I know,” she said. “I’m so excited for Jocelyn. She really loves Maverick as her own, but she told us today no long engagement. As fast as she can plan it, it’s happening. She wants a baby of her own.”
“Good for her,” Carolyn said. “Your house will be overrun soon enough.”
“Which leads me to something else. My other son, Jayce.”
“What about him?” Diane asked.
“I might need some help where he is concerned. I have to figure out what is going on in his life, but when the time is right, I hope you’ll give me some advice.”
“We’re your ladies,” Carolyn said.
To Be Continued... For Jayce McCarthy
She walked away once to protect her heart. Now he’s back and this time, he isn’t leaving without it.
Farrah Lane thought she’d buried her first love.
Once close friends turned high school sweethearts, she pushed Jayce McCarthy away when her feelings grew too deep and too dangerous.
Better to end it than risk heartbreak. Life moved on.
Marriage, motherhood, and divorce. But she never forgot the boy who owned her heart before anyone else.
When Farrah suddenly needs a sitter for her son, Jayce is the last person she expects to step in. And the last person she can resist.
After graduation, Jayce left town to escape the weight of his family’s expectations, hell bent on building his own success… until it all crumbled. Now he’s back, older, wiser, and determined to fight for the woman he should never have let go.
Winning her son’s trust is only the first step. Convincing Farrah to risk her heart again? That’s the battle he intends to win. Because this time, walking away isn’t an option.