Epilogue
Settling Down - Miranda Lambert
Wyatt
T he warm summer breeze carried the scent of freshly cut hay as Kinsley and I rode across the fields of Jackson Ranch. The sun’s rays warmed our backs, and long shadows stretched out before us.
I glanced over at Kinsley as she effortlessly guided her new mare, Wildfire. The horse’s sleek chestnut coat glistened with each stride. Red mares were now her go-to type, not black demon horses.
Kinsley’s eyes sparkled with excitement, a wide grin spreading across her face as she caught my gaze. “Isn’t she incredible?” Kinsley gave Wildfire an affectionate pat on the neck. “I can’t wait for next year’s rodeo season. With Wildfire and Gambler, we’re going to be unstoppable.”
“I still have to convince Finn to give me another season.”
“We’ll work on him.”
I looked down at Gambler. The once unruly gelding had become an extension of myself. Our partnership had grown stronger with each passing day. Meanwhile, Drifter got to enjoy his retirement in horse paradise.
Kinsley urged Wildfire into a gallop. Not one to be outdone, I pushed Gambler forward, matching her stride for stride as we raced across the open field. The rhythmic pounding of the horse’s hooves on the ground filled my ears. It was my favourite sound.
As we neared the edge of the field, Kinsley slowed Wildfire to a trot, turning to face me with a glint in her eyes. “Race you back to the barn?” she challenged, her competitive spirit shining through.
I couldn’t resist the opportunity to push Gambler’s limits. With a grin, I nodded, and we were off once more, our horses’ hooves thundering against the earth.
After cooling down the horses and turning them back out into the pasture, I took Kinsley’s hand, and we strolled leisurely toward our new home—her grandparents’ old house.
As we approached, our friends’ familiar voices drifted through the open windows.
“Well, if it isn’t the slackers,” Grady hollered, emerging from the front door with a wide grin. “C’mon, we’re doing all the heavy lifting while you two were off gallivanting.”
Finn poked his head out, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “He’s right, you know. The least you could’ve done was greet us properly.”
I shook my head, pulling Kinsley closer as we approached the porch steps. “You guys said you’d be here after lunch.”
Rhett leaned against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest. “We figured if we got here and to work before lunch, then you would have to feed us.”
“We’ve been working so hard,” Finn added with a pout.
Kinsley laughed. “We appreciate every bit of sweat you boys are putting into it. Lunch is on us.”
“And supper,” Grady said.
“And supper.”
The money from selling my farm would help us fix up Kinsley’s grandparents’ old homestead and make it our own. The place was in good shape but needed some updating. With our friends’ help, we were slowly transforming it into our dream home.
We stepped inside, tools and construction materials were scattered about. In the living room, Grady and Finn had already begun sanding the hardwood floors, while Rhett worked on stripping the old wallpaper from the hallway.
“You boys have been busy,” I remarked, surveying the progress.
“Yeah, so get your ass in gear,” Finn said.
Kinsley’s enthusiasm was infectious as we gathered around the kitchen table with her Pinterest account on the laptop.
“I want to paint the cupboards to look like that.” She pointed at a picture of a sage green and oak kitchen.
As they discussed the details, I watched her. I’d never imagined I’d settle down in such a beautiful house, let alone on the Jackson Ranch, but with Kinsley by my side, it felt right. Like I was finally home.
I admired the way her brow furrowed in concentration as she scrolled through more pictures. She caught my gaze and smiled, her hand finding mine under the table and giving it a gentle squeeze.
“What do you think, Wyatt?” she asked, her voice soft. “Is that okay?”
I brought her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “Whatever you want darlin’.”
Kinsley’s smile widened, and she leaned in, planting a kiss on my cheek. “I can’t wait to make this place our own. Imagine waking up every morning in this house together.”
“It’ll be perfect.” I pulled her close and kissed her neck.
“Alright, lovebirds, save it for the bedroom.” Finn pushed back from the table. “We’ve got work to do.”
As we set about our tasks, a sense of contentment washed over me. This was the life I’d always wanted, even if I hadn’t known it until now.
I swiped the back of my arm across my forehead, wiping away the sweat that had gathered there after a productive morning’s work. The rest of the crew was taking a breather too, gulping down water in the shade of an old oak tree.
The roar of an engine shattered the peaceful ranch silence. I turned toward the noise, squinting against the sun’s glare, as a sleek, cherry-red sports car came barreling down the long driveway towards Kinsley’s parents’ house.
“Who the hell drives a car like that out here?” Finn grumbled, shaking his head in disbelief.
Grady let out a low whistle. “Rich jackasses, that’s who.”
“Oh, that’ll be Evan,” Kinsley remarked with an eyeroll.
Rhett’s eyebrow quirked upward. “Evan?”
“My sister’s boyfriend.” Kinsley did not hide her disdain. “Asshole with more money than brains.”
“Isn’t he a lawyer?” I asked.
“My statement still stands.”
I stole a glance over at Grady, who had gone unnaturally still and quiet beside me. The usual playful glint in his eyes was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a guarded look as the passenger door swung open.
Abby Jackson stepped out in a sundress, her dark hair blowing in the breeze.
The sports car peeled away in a cloud of dust, leaving Abby to make her way towards the house alone. Grady’s eyes tracked her every movement, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly as she entered her home without so much as a glance in our direction.
I knew that look all too well; I’d worn it myself over the last couple of years more times than I cared to admit, and there was no mistaking the flicker of wistful tenderness passing over his features before he could hide it.
At first, I hadn’t thought much of Grady’s little crush on Kinsley’s sister. We all got starry-eyed now and then around a pretty face. I’d figured it would blow over once the next rodeo rolled around and his head was back in the game. But seeing him now, the way his eyes stayed glued to the house even after Abby had disappeared inside... It made me rethink just how deep those feelings might run.
Before I could dwell too much on my friend’s reaction, the vibration of Grady’s phone cut through the silence. He fished it out of his back pocket, brow furrowed as he read the screen. In the next moment, the tense look on his face melted into one of pure elation.
“Fuck yes!” Grady let out a whoop of surprise and joy, leaping up from where he’d been sitting on the grass. “I just got an invitation to the Pbr Canada Tour!”
The rest of us were on our feet in a heartbeat, crowding around to slap him on the back as we offered our congratulations. This was the big break he’d been chasing, a chance to prove himself on one of the biggest stages in bull riding.
But even as the celebration swirled around him, I couldn’t help but notice Grady’s eyes drifting back towards the house where Abby was.
A sinking feeling settled into the pit of my stomach. I recognized all the signposts on the road to heartache.
As happy as I was for Grady’s success, I couldn’t shake the feeling that his luck might take a turn for the worst with Abby Jackson.