Epilogue
S ummer slipped the bow in Daisy’s hair. “There. Now you’re all set to go. Are you ready to drop the flowers like we practiced?”
“Uh-huh,” Daisy said, wrapping her arms around Summer’s leg.
“You’re good with her,” Tammy observed.
She laughed. “For not having any experience with kids, the past week has been a crash course in parenting.”
“The first one is always learning on the job,” Mom said, smoothing Summer’s hair. “Even though Autumn was the one who babysat all the time, I knew you’d also make for a good mother.”
Love filled Summer’s heart. Her parents had openly accepted Daisy, and she knew they would consider the little sprite to be as much a granddaughter to them as the babies Kelby and Autumn now carried.
Kelby came over. “Would you like me to take Daisy with me? That way, you can make any last-minute adjustments.”
“Thanks, Kelby.” She knelt and told Daisy, “Go with Aunt Kelby. I’ll be there soon.”
“And then we get married?” asked Daisy.
She and Chance had told Daisy they were getting married and that she could call Summer Mommy. Daisy had taken it to mean that the three of them were getting married. Not only would Daisy serve as their flower girl, but they would include her in the vows they spoke to one another.
“Yes, then we’ll get married.”
At first, Summer had balked at the idea of Daisy calling her Mommy.
Then Chance reminded her that she would be the only true mother Daisy would ever know.
It would be odd if Daisy called her Summer, while all their other children called her their mom.
He told Summer that she had already agreed to be Daisy’s mom, and she should take the title that came with it.
Jokingly, he had teased that she might reconsider during the teenage years, causing her to laugh.
Summer insisted that as soon as Daisy was old enough to understand, she be told about her birth mother. Chance agreed, but he said that was a long time off. For now, Summer would happily accept being called Mommy.
They had also talked about having children of their own.
Chance said that he wanted them to get started soon, not wanting too big a gap between their firstborn and Daisy.
She had happily agreed, her nurturing nature springing forward as she helped care for Daisy.
Chance had thrown out his box of condoms, and they hoped she would turn up pregnant in the next few months.
Kelby left with Daisy, and her mom, Tammy, Darby, and Jen went with them. Only Autumn remained behind. Her twin spritzed Summer with perfume and fiddled with her hair one last time.
“You’re perfect,” Autumn said. “And Chance is perfect for you, just as Eli is for me. I’m so happy for you, Summer.
You’re back in Hawthorne for good. Your writing is getting stronger with every chapter.
I know by this time next year, you’ll have sold your series.
Maybe the first book will already be out.
” Her twin grinned. “And maybe you’ll be pregnant or already have another baby. ”
“That’s the plan,” she confirmed. “Chance and I are eager to start our family. No, we already have a family. We’re ready for another baby. Of course, since we weren’t around Daisy when she was born, we’ll have a lot to learn.”
But she knew they would be good parents.
She thought that when she saw Daisy sitting in Chance’s lap as he read to her.
When she and Daisy went for a walk, holding hands, looking at everything in nature.
Although they’d missed out on Daisy’s first two years, she was their first child.
Already, the bond between Daisy and them was strong, and Summer knew that closeness would only grow stronger over time.
“I’m ready,” she told her twin, accepting the bouquet Autumn handed to her. “Let’s go down to the old oak tree and make things official.”
When they exited the big house, Buck stood near a golf cart. He grinned at them.
“We don’t use this often, but it’ll get you where you’re going quicker than walking,” the ranch manager said. “Climb aboard.”
Autumn took the seat next to Buck, letting Summer sit in the rear, facing out.
She held on tightly as the golf cart rumbled along, getting them to the place where Chance had proposed to her.
She allowed Buck to help her down and skimmed the small crowd.
Eli stood with Jace and Darby, her mom, Jen, and Sawyer next to them.
Tammy and her Tommy were also present. Everyone already loved the kind, good-natured Tommy, who treated Tammy like a princess.
West leaned down and kissed Kelby and made his way to the base of the tree, where Judge Stowe was waiting for them.
The ranch hands were among their guests, and everyone was smiling.
Her dad made his way toward them, Daisy’s hand in his.
“Ready to start the next chapter in your life?” he asked.
“More than ready,” she said fervently.
Dad handed the basket with rose petals to Daisy. “Walk to your daddy, Daisy,” he told the toddler. “Drop the petals as you go to him.”
“Okay,” Daisy said, taking the first rose petal and dropping it on the ground as Autumn went to stand behind her.
Dad took Summer’s hand and slipped it through the crook of his arm. “My last baby getting married.”
“You sound like Mom, getting all sentimental on me.”
He smiled at her. “I just hope you’ll be as happy as I’ve been with your mom all these years. You’ll have a few more bumps along the road, Summer, starting marriage with an instant family, but you are going to take to motherhood. You already have.”
“I think so,” she said. “Already, I can’t imagine my life without Daisy in it.”
He led her toward their guests. By now, Daisy had emptied her basket and given it to Kelby. She now stood next to Chance.
When she reached them, she handed Autumn her bridal bouquet and took Daisy’s hand as Chance took her other one. They smiled at one another, and the love filling her heart spilled over.
Judge Stowe cleared his throat, and Summer turned her attention to the officiant.
“We’re here on this beautiful spring day to unite Summer Sutherland and Chance Blackstone in marriage.” The judge smiled down at Daisy. “And Daisy Blackstone is also a part of this marriage. A big part. I’d like to read a poem. The author is anonymous, but I think you’ll appreciate the sentiment.”
Stowe removed a page from his pocket and opened it, saying, “What is a family?”
A family is …
The sweetest feelings
The warmest hugs
Trust and togetherness
Unconditional love
The stories of our lives written on the same page
The nicest memories anyone has ever made
Treasured photos
Thankful tears
Hearts overflowing with all the years
Being there for one another
Supporting and caring
Understanding, Helping, Sharing
Walking life’s path together
And making the journey more beautiful because …
We are a family … And a family is Love.
Emotion filled Summer. She glanced to Chance and saw he was just as moved as she was by the poem.
“Now, let’s get down to business,” Judge Stowe told those gathered.
He went through the ceremony and paused so that Summer and Chance could speak the vows they had written together for one another.
“I, Chance Blackstone, take you, Summer Sutherland, to be my beloved partner in life. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you until the end of time.”
Chance lifted Daisy in his arms and looked at her, smiling. “We also commit ourselves to Daisy Blackstone, promising to love you and take care of you. To guide you through life.”
Summer’s gaze met his. “I, Summer Sutherland, take you, Chance Blackstone, to be my loving husband. For better or worse, I pledge to you my heart and my life. Let us now come together as a family. Father. Mother. And Daisy. From this day forward, I promise to love you both as long as we shall live.”
The judge had them exchange rings. West handed Summer’s wedding band to Daisy, who gave it to Chance. Balancing her in his arms, he slid the ring onto Summer’s finger. Autumn then handed Chance’s band to Daisy, who gave it to Summer, and she placed it on Chance’s hand.
Judge Stowe smiled broadly. “By the power invested in me by the State of Texas, I pronounce you husband, wife, and child!”
Chance kissed Daisy’s cheek, as did Summer, and then he handed Daisy to West. Then he took Summer into his arms. The kiss he gave her was incredibly poignant, letting her know just how much he cherished her and the life they would build together. As a couple—and as a family.
When he broke it, he gazed at her tenderly. “I’m glad you came home to Hawthorne, Summer Blackstone.”
Hearing her new name for the first time sent a thrill through her. “Guess you can’t call me Sutherland anymore, Cowboy.”
“I’m guessing you’re right, Blackstone. God, I love you so much, Summer. You. Daisy. Everything that’s still ahead of us.”
She felt a tug on her dress and looked down, seeing Daisy looking up expectantly. Summer picked up her daughter.
“How do you like being married, Daisy?” she asked.
Their little girl smiled. “Can we eat cake now?”
Summer and Chance laughed, and he said, “It’s all about the cake. Come on, ladies. We’ve got some celebrating to do.”
She set Daisy back on the ground, and their daughter ran to Tammy, taking her hand and pulling her along.
“It’s cake time, everybody,” Chance announced. “At least, that’s what’s on Daisy’s mind.”
Those assembled turned and began making their way back to the big house. Chance pulled Summer close for a long, hot kiss. Then he broke it and grinned at her.
“Let’s go, Blackstone. Before our girl eats up all the cake.”
Chance took her hand, and he and Summer walked slowly back to the house where they would live with their family. Where they would grow old together.
Where they would live in love.