Epilogue -
Kane
We stand at the front door of my brother's house. Sadie gives my hand a little squeeze. "Do you want to have a code word in case you want to leave?" She asks.
I smile down at her. One hand holding hers, under my other arm is a case of beer.
I'm in new jeans and a nice shirt. About to join in a family barbeque at my brother's house.
Something I never thought I would do. But actually, there is a lot in my life I never thought would happen these days.
Ever since Sadie fell through my barn roof.
But I am happier now than I ever have been.
"I think I'll be okay."
It's a nice house. Not my style but professionally decorated.
Big and modern and spacious, complete with a games room, outdoor entertaining area and a pool.
There was a time when I would have been jealous of all this.
My brother's life with his perfect house, perfect wife, and adorable kids.
But I don't feel jealous of him anymore.
I have Sadie, she is the most important thing to me now.
Our love and the life we are building together.
We are in the process of fixing up my house.
It's nothing like this place but it is perfect for us.
Together we will make it beautiful and it will be wonderful because it is ours and we are doing it together.
"There he is." Kingston welcomes me over to the barbeque where he is dressed in an apron that says Kiss the Chief. Deputy Sheriff Bailey is there and shakes my hand.
"Thought any more about my offer?" He asks. And then explaining to Kingston, "With your brother's army background and his experience up on The Ridge, he would be an excellent addition to our task force. We are determined to clean out the riff raff up there."
I laugh, wondering how Malcolm and the Ridge Riders would feel about being called riff raff.
"My brother as a Sherriff." Kingston shakes his head. "Never would have thought I'd see the day."
I shrug. It's not the only offer I've had. Our neighbour suggested working for the Forest Rangers and that sounds interesting. Though I've had enough of roughing it for a while. There is also Fire & Rescue. Apparently everyone is eager to have me.
But I've been doing a lot of building in fixing up the house and I'm really enjoying working with my hands.
I've got a little shed and all the equipment.
I like solving problems these days. That window is rattling, I can fix it.
We want a bookshelf for the lounge, I can whip that up easily.
I have plenty of money stashed away. I own the house outright.
And Sadie is a very successful wildlife photographer.
She has her own business running. So there is time to think about what I want to do.
What would make me happy? For the moment it is just this.
The neighbourhood gathered for a family barbeque.
Catching up with friends. Sharing a beer with my brother.
It's a life so normal and sweet it almost seems surreal after the way I lived for so many years. But it also makes me truly happy.
"Uncle Kane, Uncle Kane, can I show you my bike?" Little Annie comes running up and I lift her up into my arms for a hug. "I learned a new trick, you have to see it."
Kingston lets out a little sigh. "That one is as wild and reckless as you were at that age."
I laugh and give Annie a loud smacking kiss on her cheek which makes her giggle. "You keep being wild little one. It's good to keep your papa on his toes."
I follow Annie to sit and watch her do some tricks and jumps on her little bicycle.
Her older brother comes and joins in. Both of them showing off their skills.
In a quiet moment of catching up, Kingston had told me how he had always been a little jealous of me growing up.
While he was too afraid to say no to our parents, he always admired that I was brave enough to do my own thing.
He had told me that he hoped his kids would be that brave in life.
He doesn't ever want to rule over their lives like our parents ruled over him.
It was a shock to hear him talk so casually about our childhood like that.
About being jealous of me. When all this time I felt he was the golden child I could never live up to.
Since I've come back to town I've seen a counsellor a couple of times.
Just working through some of my fears. I want to be the best version of myself for Sadie.
It's been good to see my childhood from another perspective.
But I'm also all about looking forward these days, rather than being ruled by my past.
Later when we get home, Sadie and I sit on our front porch swing and talk about the day. "Are you happy we went?" she asks.
My arm around her shoulders, I pull her in tight and plant a kiss on the top of her head. "I never thought I would be an Uncle. But I love those kids. I think Annie is going to be trouble when she gets older."
"Just like our kids." Sadie says with a smile. Talk of our future. A home with kids. It all comes easy between us. I truly am the luckiest man alive.
"Speaking of kids..." I nuzzle into her shoulder, planting little kisses along the side of her throat. She lets out a giggle. "How about we see about making one right now?"
"Yes please."
Scooping her up in my arms I carry her through the front door of our home.
Down the hallway lined with framed photos of shots Sadie has taken.
And above the bed in our bedroom are several shots of her elusive owl she went looking for that day.
The day she fell into my life and changed it forever.
I'm a changed man. No longer wild and reckless, except when it comes to loving my woman.
* * * * *
Thank you so much for reading Her Reckless Biker.