Epilogue
FLIC
Eight Months Later
Oakwood Ranch hums with life in that familiar, comforting way that makes me feel like I’m home.
Mama’s laughter drifts from the ranch kitchen along with the smell of fresh bread and cookies.
In the paddocks, the horses graze on rich green grass.
I sit on the back porch steps, face lifted to the sun.
It’s warm for October. It feels like the summer is clinging to every day, not ready to let go just yet.
Grayson nudges my shoulder beside me, before sweeping my hair back and dropping a kiss to my neck, sending a shot of heat and desire through my body.
I will never get enough of this man and what he does to me. “What are you smiling at?”
“This.” I gesture.
“It’s pretty perfect.”
Mia strides out of the barn in riding gear, black braids tied at the nape of her neck, face flushed and open from the ride on Fury. Dylan steps onto the back porch, eight-month-old Molly in his arms, wriggling to get down. “If I set you down, will you eat the dirt again?”
Molly gives him a gummy, innocent smile, and he laughs, setting her at his feet.
She’s off in an instant, crawling toward Serena and Chase on the porch swing with the twins.
Two months old already. I catch the way Chase keeps glancing down at them as though he still can’t quite believe he got so lucky.
“How was Fury?” Dylan calls as Mia crosses the driveway.
“Amazing. He’s so powerful. I can feel him wanting me to push him more each time.”
Dylan squints, hands on his hips. “I think he’s about ready to join the rodeo again,” he says thoughtfully. “But he’d need a rider who really understands him.”
“I’m the VP of Arquette Media.” She laughs. “My days of riding in the rodeo are long gone.”
But I don’t miss the spark in her eyes. I wonder if a seed has been planted.
A familiar engine rumbles up the drive, and moments later Jake’s truck pulls in, dust puffing up around the tires. He jumps out first, Harper following close behind, sunglasses pushed up into her hair. Jake lifts a hand in greeting.
“Hope you’re all enjoying the calm,” he calls. “Because this weekend is going to be anything but.”
Grayson groans lightly. “Indianapolis Riverrunners.”
Jake grins, already halfway up the steps. “Tough game. They’re fast, aggressive, and annoying as hell.”
“Sounds familiar,” I say dryly.
Harper laughs, sliding into Jake’s arms. “But you’re ready for them. The whole city can feel it.”
Grayson throws an arm around my shoulder. “We’ve put the work in. It won’t be easy, but we’re ready.”
Chase calls out from the swing. “Hell yes, we are.”
Then Madison barrels out the back door, Buck trotting at her heels on one side and her dog, Prince, on the other.
Prince Spark-A-Lot is his full name—much to Dylan’s ongoing protest, but he’s resigned himself to Prince for short.
Prince is still oversized paws and zero coordination, a high energy ball of fur that suits Mad perfectly.
Mama and Izzy follow her out. Mama makes a beeline for Molly, scooping her into her arms and kissing her belly until she squeals in delight. Izzy laughs as she folds herself into Dylan’s embrace. This is what Oakwood does, I think. It gathers people in and keeps them.
Grayson pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple, voice low and warm against my skin. “I love it here,” he says.
“It’s not for sale,” Dylan and I say at the same time.
Grayson laughs. “Don’t worry. It’s the people as much as the place that make it home.” He leans close to my ear. “And you are my home.”
I smirk, tipping my head just enough to look at him. “Don’t get sappy. You’re ruining your reputation.”
He laughs again and it’s a deep contented sound I’ll never get tired of hearing. “I think that ship has sailed.”
Grayson still travels. New York still calls. The Stormhawks keep us on our toes, and The Hay Barn keeps me busy. Some nights are long. Some weeks are hard. But we meet in the middle again and again, because neither of us is willing to give up the world we’ve built together or the people we love.
And somehow, that’s made everything stronger.
I look around at the scene unfolding in front of me and think of my circle now. My family, the ranch, my bar, the Stormhawks, and the man always standing beside me.
This is my world.
Our world.
A life I never thought I’d want, with the man I never thought I’d love.
Turns out, I don’t just trust him. I trust us. And that’s everything.
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