Epilogue
ELLE AND GRIFF
O ur summer flew by, and I stared out into the mountains, feeling the cold creeping down them. Green leaves seemingly turned orange and yellow overnight and I longed for the winter stillness, and slow down that would happen. Running my hand over my ever-expanding abdomen, I wondered what this little one’s life would be like. It was too early to borrow trouble and I tried not to wonder too much if they’d be able to hear me forever or not. Griff assured me there wasn’t any place better equipped for a child that couldn’t hear better than this ranch.
Griff had made great strides in his recovery, and he had almost full use of his arm again. He was scheduled for another surgery to release some scar tissue from the burns but he wasn’t worried about it at all.
Troy had spent most of the summer helping around the ranch, working with Griff’s horses until he was able to be back and then being here while he built his stamina again. As odd as it was having him here, he and Griff had become good friends and Troy fit perfectly in with the five.
The old Hays place now belonged to him solely, thanks to backing from the Flying Diamond Five, and a little persuasive dealing with Desmond Tucker. When he’d found out the five had backed Troy, he fought tooth and nail to cancel the deal, but the papers were signed, and the land transferred somewhat peacefully. There was a vow to the five that he’d find a way to make them pay, but none of them seemed to be all that worried about it.
Parker had convinced the guys that there should be a trail cleared between the two ranches to save time going back and forth. While having my ex-husband so close might not be what I’d ever imagined, Parker was in his glory. We’d tossed out any court-mandated visitation rights and he was able to go back and forth as he pleased all summer. It would be a little harder during the school year because of the bus, but I was sure he’d figure out a way to deal with that, too. He was a resourceful kid and I was so incredibly proud to be his mom.
“You seem like you’re a million miles away from me. How do I bring you back?” Griff’s deep voice cut through my thoughts and did, in fact, bring me back. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his hands on my stomach. He couldn’t keep his hands off me during my pregnancy with Cora. I was excited that he was the same for this one. Getting pregnant so fast wasn’t on the list of things I wanted to happen, but Griff’s insatiable appetite for me was hard to resist. At least these two kids would be close in age.
Leaning back against him, he let me put all my weight against him, and he gently lifted my stomach. The relief was instantaneous. It felt like all the pressure was gone. Closing my eyes I just sat in the moment.
“A lot has happened in the last year,” I whispered as I watched a deer off in the distance frolic in the tall, green grass of the pasture. Soon, it would be filled with cows that the five would bring down from the mountain.
“A lot of good has happened, that’s for sure,” he whispered in my ear. We avoided talking about the bad, not because we didn’t want to acknowledge it, but we needed to be able to move on from it. Our new red barn stood where our life changed in mere moments. It was larger than the old one and boasted more conveniences Griff had dreamed up while he was out of commission.
“You need to get dressed. We have to get to the fairgrounds.” He slipped his hand into my housecoat, and the warmth of his touch flowed through me, canceling out the chill that was starting to set in.
“Think they’d miss us if we didn’t go?” I asked as I leaned back into him, letting him take the weight off me for a moment.
“Yeah, I think they’d notice.” He chuckled behind me. “They do have one of our kids with them. Pretty soon, we’ll have three kids. Can you believe that?” No, I almost couldn’t believe it. With us both being in our mid-thirties, I actually never imagined we’d have another baby.
“By the time this one is six, Parker will be off in college, or out on his own.” A wave of sadness at the thought of him having a life without us made me sad. But I wasn’t about to stop his dreams just because I wanted to keep my children reliant on me.
“But we’re leaving as soon as my shift in the bar is done, I’ve got other plans for you.” Griff’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I turned to look up at him.
“It better involve candles, a massage, and my body pillow.”
“Candles yes, a massage, I can do, and if you count me as your body pillow, then I’ve got all three checked off your list.” His words reverberated in my ear as he kissed down my neck. Pulling the robe off my shoulder, I smiled and felt his growing need behind me.
“I thought we were going to be late if we didn’t leave now.”
“They’ll understand. We’re always late for everything when we get ready together.” He cupped my breast and ran his tongue around my ear.
“Griffin Harp, they better not know why we’re always late,” I said, pushing his hand away.
“No, they know nothing.” He shook his head. I didn’t believe him at all, the five knew everything about each other.
“I’m going to get ready. I’ll be right back.” Turning in his arms, he cupped my ass as I stood on my tip-toes and kissed him. Each kiss was as thrilling as our first, and I hoped they always would be, and it wasn’t just the overflow of hormones raging through my body.
Parker rode all the rides at the fair, and we almost took up an entire section in the rodeo arena but we had a great time. Kipp and Nash broke with their tradition of only roping in our rodeo and competed here as well. None of us were surprised when they won the event.
“All right, I think it’s time we get the kids home,” Nora said as she looked at the half-sleepy faces around her. “This was a great day.” She said as she lifted the kids into the SUV she drove.
***
“You’ve got to give her up, babe,” I whispered in her ear.
“I know.” She turned and smiled at me. Leaving Cora had been difficult for Elle, even though she would be in the care of Nora, who had volunteered her and Kipp to look after all the kids, with the help of Julie and Phil.
“I’ll call you if I need you,” Nora said as Elle handed our daughter to her.
“Thank you. I’ll let you know when we’re on our way home.”
“No, you won’t have a good night. I’ll be up with Halley anyway, so what’s one more princess to feed? Enjoy your kid-free night.” The women hugged, and Elle waved until the vehicle was out of sight.
Cora had been welcomed into the family during a blizzard, but I’d made sure we were staying close to the hospital before the storm hit. This ranch didn’t need another baby born without the assistance of trained medical staff. My wife was the best nurse I’d ever seen, but she was a little preoccupied too be helpful. Every test run on our little girl had come back with flying colors. As far as we knew, her hearing hadn’t deteriorated since birth, but we’d have to keep a close eye on her. We both knew what to watch for thanks to Elle educating me over the months we waited for our little girl to be born.
“All right, I need to head to the bar for my shift. Save me a dance.” I kissed Elle before Ryder and I wandered off to our respective jobs for the rest of the night.
As usual, the bar was busy, and the dance floor was packed. I hadn’t seen Elle for a while but knew she’d be out there somewhere. “Well, hey there, cowboy, you look like you need some company.” Turning, I saw a blonde woman and for one moment, I smiled until I realized this woman wasn’t my wife.
“No, I’m just here to pour drinks. What can I get you?” Placing my hands on the bar, I waited for her to decide what she wanted to drink.
“A little of that tall, dark, and handsome thing you’ve got going on.”
Someone cleared their throat beside the lady flirting with me and she turned to look at her. “Sorry, this one’s mine. Go find your own.” She giggled and turned to look at the woman standing beside her, smirking.
“Actually, that one’s mine. You’ll need to move along.” The woman’s voice was firm, and there was no hint of laughter.
“I saw him first. What’s it to you? This place is crawling with cowboys.” The woman whined, and I could almost picture her crossing her arms and stomping her foot.
“He’s my husband ,” Elle said without breaking our eye contact. Reaching behind me I pulled on the apron strings and tossed it in the hamper. Moving out from behind the bar I grabbed her hand and pulled her behind me.
“Where are we going, Griff?”
“Woman, do you have any idea how fucking sexy that was to hear you call me your husband like I was your possession? I’ve got a raging hard-on, and the only person that can fix that is you. So, get your fine ass up into that announcer's booth and drop your jeans.”
“You’re insatiable. Am I not already pregnant enough for you.” She laughed but did as I said as I closed the door to the booth.
“Say it again.” My voice was a low rumble, even I didn't recognize.
“Am I not pregnant enough for you?”
“Not that.” I slapped her ass as I followed her up the stairs, as she giggled.
She swung the door open, and it hit the wall with a thud. Grabbing it, I closed and locked the door. While I didn’t mind the threat of getting caught, I didn’t actually want to be. Elle moved into my arms, and she smiled up at me. “Say it,” I growled only a breath width from her lips.
“ My husband .” She whispered.
“Fucking right I am,” I said just before I crushed my mouth to hers. I pulled her shirt open, and cupped her royal blue lace-covered breasts. “This was the best purchase I’ve ever made,” I said, pulling my mouth from hers.
“Your gifts since this have been just as nice.” She sighed as he let her head fall back so I could suckle on her neck.
“Right, but nothing has topped this because it’s how I got you into my house.”
“No, that's not what happened, if I remember correctly.” She laughed, and shook her head.
“But you wouldn’t have run to me if I hadn’t brought you this.”
“I used to wonder if you’d sent Billy to scare me that night just so I’d end up at your house. But there’s not a bone in your body that would ever think of that. You’re a good man, Griffin Harp, and Parker, Cora, this little soon-to-be addition, and I are so lucky to have you.”
“Quit talking, and let me ravage you. And I’m the lucky one to have all of you.” I popped open the button on her jeans and slid my hand into her panties. “Woman, you’re always eager for me.” Pulling my hand out, I sucked my fingers and stared down at her.
I didn’t have to say anything, she pulled her jeans down and fumbled with the buckle on my belt, before she pushed my pants down. I never take for granted being able to hold my wife with both arms. My shoulder seemed to take forever to heal, and the burn scarring occasionally hindered my mobility. Elle made sure I was keeping up my massage, and skin care treatment so I’d be able to further my mobility as time went on.
As I turned her around and bent her over the desk, I ran my hand over the swell of her rear end and dug my fingers into the flesh. She pressed her ass back against me and I grabbed her hips, sinking into her in one quick motion. “God, you were made for me,” I groaned as I pulled out, sliding back in.
She was perfection in every way, and probably the only woman in the world who was able to put up with me. “Do you want to play another game of harder and faster?”
“Over my dead body.” I reached my arm around cupping her belly protectively.
“Fine. I guess being gentle isn’t all bad.”
“Sometimes we need to slow things down just to prove we still can. Besides, you know I’ll more than make it up to you.” I moved my dick in and out of her in long languid strokes dipping my hand down to nestle it between her legs toying with her clit. She was always extra sensitive while pregnant and her hips bucked back against me and she moaned. “That’s my girl, my wife. Come on my cock like you own it.”
“I do own it,” she cried out. Her hips shaking as I circled her clit relentlessly in rhythm with my fingers. Fuck I loved her taking ownership over me. My cock stiffened in reaction. “I’m going to fill you. Then we’re going back down to that bar and you’re going to have to deal with my mess between your legs for the rest of the night.”
“Perfect.”
And it was. Even when things got messy between us, as they sometimes did, there was no denying we were perfect for one another. I gripped her hip a little too hard at the thought, spilling into her in a hot rush as
Elle screamed my name and we climaxed together. I helped her right herself.
“Is your shift over?” Elle asked as she fixed the collar on my shirt. Occasionally my shoulder gave me some trouble and like everything else, my wife could see it and stepped in without saying a word.
“It is, and we’re leaving. As much as I’d like you to have to deal with my mess between your legs, we have an empty house and I have the most beautiful woman on the planet to worship.” Grabbing her hand, I led her down the dark stairs and we ran to the truck like we were teenagers sneaking around.
Pulling open the door, she hopped in and slid across the seat to sit in the middle. The drive home was quiet as she rested her head on my shoulder and held my hand.
“I think you owe me a dance cowboy.” Elle’s soft voice floated through the living room of the house.
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Reaching for my phone, I didn’t have to scroll to the song we danced to was at the top of my playlist. Riley Green’s velvety, country voice flowed through the speakers as I pulled Elle into me, and we swayed around the dimly lit room, lost in the embrace of one another.
There had been a time in my life when all of this seemed impossible for me to have, and in all honesty I hadn’t ever wanted it. But now, being settled down as a husband and a dad, there was nowhere else I’d rather be. This rancher’s heart was so full it brimmed with happiness and there was nothing on this planet better than that.