Epilogue
Six months later…
Tyler stowed his bag in the pickup’s back seat and said, “Do you have everything?”
The Kenny Chesney concert had finally rolled around, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Owen had just found out he passed his GED test the day before, and they had so many things to celebrate during their weekend away from the ranch.
When he didn’t get an answer, Tyler stepped back and peered around the back of the cab to find Owen still leaning against the opposite side of the truck with his eyes locked on the gravel driveway.
Tyler called his name, and Owen turned to look at him.
“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “Zoned out for a minute.” He lifted his hand to brush blond strands off his forehead, and the sunlight glinted off his engagement ring.
Mine. Mine. Mine. And it became truer every day.
Tyler had learned there was no limit to loving someone.
Each time he thought he couldn’t love Owen more, his future husband proved him wrong.
This man had worked tirelessly over the past six months to conquer things he never dreamed possible.
He went from avoiding any task that required reading or writing to leaving little love notes around for Tyler and reading to him in bed at night to strengthen his skills.
Owen had started a smoking hot romantic suspense book the previous evening that had kept them up much later than usual.
“You seem distracted,” Tyler said. “Everything okay?”
Owen smiled, but it wasn’t very reassuring. “I was just hoping Rueben and Keegan would get back before we had to leave.”
Tyler glanced at his watch and wondered again why they were heading out so early. “This was just a meeting in the prosecuting attorney’s office, right? Keegan said they were just going to review some preliminary details about their upcoming trials.”
Owen returned his gaze to the gravel drive and nodded absently. “I would’ve thought they’d be back by now.”
“I know you’re worried about Keegan, so why don’t we wait around until they get home? We can’t check in at the hotel until four o’clock.”
Owen turned his gaze back to him, and Tyler could plainly see the conflict in his dark blue eyes, but he didn’t understand it.
“What’s wrong?” Tyler tried again.
“I know we don’t have to be there until four, but I’d planned a detour to surprise you.”
“What is it?”
Owen’s lips slowly curved upward. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.”
Tyler saw movement from his periphery and turned to see Cash walking quickly toward them. “The boss is heading our way.”
“So glad I caught you before you left,” Cash said when he reached them.
“Is something wrong with Keegan or Rueben?” Owen asked.
“No, not at all,” Cash said. “Rueben texted me before leaving the prosecutor’s office. They just went over some prelim court dates and the projected timeline for the actual trial.”
“How’s Keegan doing?” Tyler asked.
“Rue said he handled himself beautifully but thinks he’s strung tight,” Cash said. “But we’ll be here for whatever he needs, and I want you guys to have a great weekend.”
“So, what’s up?” Owen asked.
“The Redemption Ridge web series is taking off in ways I never expected.” Cash looked between them with a proud-papa smile on his face. “The interview you guys did with Rory back in January has reached nearly two million views.”
Tyler and Owen looked at each other and said, “Whoa.”
“There’s a snippet of the interview recirculating all over social media, and I’ve been fielding emails left, right, and center. Your message about the importance of teen crisis prevention has touched so many people, and I have some really exciting news to share.”
“Well, quit teasing us,” Tyler said.
“Lighthouse Youth Outreach is a nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs that partners with psychiatrists and therapists for children and teens. Caroline, the executive director, recently saw the interview and said there are kids in the program who could use mentors like you. They have gym equipment at their center and will invest in some bags and light boxing equipment. They’re just looking to give the kids a healthy outlet to vent frustrations, as you mentioned in the video.
I told them Redemption Ridge will donate the equipment, regardless of our participation in the program. ”
“Are you kidding me?” Owen asked. “Of course I’d love to volunteer. This is amazing!”
Cash smiled his approval. “You’re going to do great with the kids.
” He turned his attention to Tyler. “Your role would be trickier, and I needed to make a few phone calls to see if Caroline’s suggestion was even doable before I talked to you.
My lawyers and insurance people have given me the green light as long as I establish some strict rules to protect the ranch and its employees. ”
Tyler glanced at Owen, whose puzzled expression matched his thoughts. “What things do you want me to do?”
“Caroline would like to establish a program at Lighthouse that brings the kids to the ranch to work with the animals. Lighthouse would provide transportation and additional supervision, and we’d have to be very selective about the animals we let interact with the kids.
It’s a liability risk, but I think it’s one worth taking. What do you think, Ty?”
He was too overwhelmed to answer right away. “Yes, of course. I feel like my horses saved me when I was a kid.”
“This is really exciting,” Cash said as he backed up a few steps.
“I don’t want to keep you guys. I just couldn’t wait to share the news with you.
We can chat about this more when you get back.
Safe travels, and have a great time.” His phone went off with a gate alert, and he glanced down at it.
“Rueben and Keegan are back,” he called over his shoulder as he retreated to the house.
Owen’s relief was obvious, and Tyler was glad they returned in time so he could relax on their trip. Keegan hopped out of the truck as soon as Rueben parked. He rushed over and hugged them both goodbye.
“I’m okay,” Keegan said before either of them could ask.
“I have a bunch of nervous energy pulsing through me, so I’m going to hit the bags for a while.
” Owen had worked out with him over the past few months, and the effort was showing in Keegan’s well-being.
He’d gained muscle, moved with more confidence, and processed stress in healthier ways. “You guys be careful, okay?”
“We will,” Owen replied. “You call us if you need anything.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve got the rest of the guys to lean on.”
“We’ll bring you back a T-shirt,” Tyler called out.
Keegan had already headed toward the house and raised his hand in acknowledgment.
Rueben still hadn’t gotten out of the truck by the time Keegan disappeared.
Tyler and Owen exchanged a worried look and walked over to Rueben’s truck.
He rolled the window down when they reached the driver’s door, but Rue continued staring out the window like he was in a trance.
Their handsome, cocky friend looked like someone had drained the life right of him.
Tyler realized the assailant could only be Seth Burke.
“What did he do?” Tyler’s voice came out growly and fierce, and it made the corner of Rue’s lips curve up.
“It’s what he didn’t do,” Rue said, sounding weary for the first time since they met.
“Okay,” Owen said. “What didn’t Burke do?”
“He was there for the meeting, though I’m not sure why. Burke sat in the prosecutor’s office like a silent sentinel and looked right through me. He acted like we’d never kissed and that he didn’t know the way I—” Rue’s words stopped abruptly, and he shook his head.
Tyler reached inside the truck and squeezed Rueben’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me too, Rue,” Owen said. “Maybe it’s time to move on from him.”
Rue met their gaze, and his dark brown eyes crackled with life once more. “Are you kidding me?” His full lips curved into a wicked smile. “It’s time for me to show that stubborn mule that I’m a keeper. Now, go on and get. Enjoy your weekend, and be careful.”
Tyler and Owen exchanged another glance, earning a scornful snort from Rueben.
“I mean it, punks. I’m fine, or I will be once I put together a master plan to get my man back.”
“If you’re sure,” Tyler said, backing away.
Rueben rolled his eyes and pressed the button to raise the window.
“We’ve been dismissed,” Owen said.
“Guess so.” Tyler glanced over at him. “Guess it’s time to see what my surprise is.”
“Yep.”
Tyler spent most of the drive trying to guess where they were going, but Owen wouldn’t budge. He’d studied the navigation map in the dashboard, something else he could do now, but didn’t initiate the turn-by-turn instructions until they got closer to their destination, which was midway to Denver.
“The Happiest Gilmore Ranch?” Tyler asked when Owen drove under an ornate arched sign.
Owen chuckled. “Gilmore is their last name, and I think they had a little fun naming their ranch after the Happy Gilmore movie.”
“I figured that part out,” Tyler replied. “I’m just not sure why we’re here.”
Owen pulled up to an equine barn and killed the engine. “It will all make sense soon. Trust me.”
“Always.”
A man and a woman in their mid-forties came out of the barn and headed toward them.
“The Gilmores, I presume?” Tyler asked Owen.
“I think so, but I’ve never met them.”
A sleek black horse with unique white markings bolted from the barn and galloped into the paddock. Tyler’s breath caught in his throat, and his eyes immediately filled with tears. “Brutus!” He turned his head and found Owen watching him with a huge smile on his face.
“I found him, thanks to help from our social media followers. I’m just amazed I could keep this a surprise since I had to loop in several people to pull it off.”
“Owen, I can’t believe you did this.” Tyler looked back out the windshield and watched Brutus join the other horses. They trotted and galloped in the fenced area, and he looked carefree.
“Do you want to see him?”
Tyler released his seat belt and shoved the door open. He introduced himself to the Gilmores, but he only had eyes for Brutus. “Mind if I walk over to the paddock and see if he remembers me?”
“Of course,” Mrs. Gilmore said. She’d given Tyler her first name, but damn if he could remember.
“Thank you.”
His heart pounded in his chest as he walked toward the horses.
It was obvious the Gilmores took good care of Brutus, and his heart was full to bursting by the time he reached the fence.
Tyler stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled sharply.
Most of the horses stopped but only glanced in his direction.
Brutus fully turned to face Tyler and stood as still as a statue.
“Brutus,” Tyler called out. “Don’t you remember me?”
The horse galloped toward him, slowing to a trot as he neared the fence.
“Hey, buddy,” Tyler said when the big horse nuzzled against him. “How are you doing?”
Brutus continued rubbing his head against him until Tyler opened his arms and hugged the horse. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he buried his head against Brutus’s neck.
“Should I be jealous?” Owen asked when he joined them.
Tyler lifted his head, not caring that Owen saw his raw emotions. “No, you should be really proud of yourself. I don’t have to worry about him anymore. He seems so happy here.”
“We’ve been fostering Brutus for about a year,” Mr. Gilmore said. “It took him a long time to trust us, but it’s obvious he remembers you well.”
Tyler hadn’t even realized the couple had joined them. He wiped his tears away, feeling slightly embarrassed. Then, he locked eyes with Mrs. Gilmore and read the pure understanding in her gaze. Tyler suddenly absorbed what her husband had said. They were fostering Brutus; they didn’t own him.
Tyler looked from the Gilmores to Owen. “So, he’s—” He didn’t finish the thought because he didn’t want to get his hopes up.
Owen cupped his cheek and said, “Finley and Kieran are coming to pick Brutus up for us tomorrow, and he’ll be waiting for us at the ranch when we get home on Sunday.”
Tyler hugged Owen tightly. “I don’t believe it.”
Brutus whinnied loudly as if he didn’t appreciate Tyler’s attention going elsewhere.
Tyler stepped back and laughed. “Did you hear that, buddy? You’re going to come live with us.”
The Gilmores led them into the barn to complete the necessary paperwork. Then, they lingered a little longer to spend more time with the horse before getting back on the road.
“Are you sad to leave him?” Owen asked after they drove several minutes in silence.
“Not at all,” Tyler said. “I’m too excited about our weekend in Denver, and I know Finley and Kieran will take excellent care of him.” He narrowed his eyes as he stared out the windshield. “Kieran better not try to steal my horse’s affections.” Horses were drawn to him like moths to a flame.
Owen laughed. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that, baby.”
“What a weekend,” Tyler said. “It seems like all of our dreams came true within the span of twenty-four hours.”
Owen reached over the console and took his hand. “Not all of them. You’re not my husband yet.”
They got overwhelmed every time they talked about logistics and picking a date that worked for everyone and ended up postponing the conversation. “I want a simple wedding like Cash and Nick had. Immediate family only.”
“Your family is coming to Colorado in November. My mom will be done with her real estate classes by then and could drive up. We saw what Harry could do in two weeks. Imagine what she can do in three months. Let’s get married and have even more to be grateful for this Thanksgiving,” Owen said.
“That simple, huh?”
Owen glanced over at him with a cocky smile on his lips. “What? You want to wait another six years?”
Tyler huffed and rolled his eyes. “I knew you were going to toss those words back at me.”
Owen laughed. “I waited for the perfect time. Well, what do you say to a November wedding?”
Tyler started singing lines from “Me and You,” their favorite Kenny Chesney song.
The End!!