Epilogue B
Brett
Another month after that
I strum my guitar and hum the melody I’ve been working on, inspired by Bailey, for my new album coming up, aptly named Pony and Clyde.
Bailey and I have barely spent a day apart during these past few months in Wyoming, and we don’t intend to any time soon.
I’m looking forward to the holidays later in the year, spending Thanksgiving together, and then our first Christmas.
The more I get to know her, the deeper I fall.
Being on the farm is where my heart belongs, and when I’m away, I can’t wait to be back.
I haven’t broken my promise of only being away for no longer than two weeks at a time, and frankly, that’s too long.
But Bailey is understanding, and we don’t live in each other’s pockets.
“Did I tell you I love you today?” I ask.
“Yes.” She nods with a twinkle in her eye. “Twice this morning, after you did that thing that should be illegal, especially before work. You almost made me late.”
I chuckle.“Well, that’s not nearly enough times, baby.”
“If you wanna say it again and again, I won’t mind.” She jiggles her eyebrows.
I can’t get enough of saying I love her. We’ve both opened up even more than ever and have been honest as well as vulnerable about our past relationships.
Unfaithfulness hurt us both. Slowly but surely, I’m breaking down the barriers Bailey has had over her heart, and I love that there’s no guessing games with her. She isn’t afraid to tell me how she feels, even if it isn’t always what I want to hear.
“You know I love you, and can’t get enough of you,” I say, so happy to be home. I squeeze her tighter, “I love you to the moon and back, my beautiful cowgirl.”
“To the moon and back? That’s an awfully long way, Cowboy.”
“Sure is.”
“I love you, baby.”
I nuzzle into her neck. “You smell so good.”
“I know what you’re doing.”
“We have time,” I murmur.
“We have to be at George’s in an hour.”
“So what? I can be fast.”
She laughs. “Right. One thing I’ve learned about you is that you like to take your time.”
I pinch her chin. “You really don’t know me as well as you think you do.”
We kiss and it quickly turns into a frenzy. I love fucking her on the couch, half undressed.
I dip my head to suckle on her nipple as she pulls me closer, bracing the edge of the couch.
She arches her back, pushing her hips up against mine so we connect, and we groan in unison. The sex has been freaking amazing, and even when we don’t have a lot of time, I’ll take whatever I can get.
I unzip myself as she tugs her shorts down, then she rips my t-shirt off my body. “You can’t get enough of it, can you, beautiful?” I mutter against her flesh.
“Nope, not when I know what’s in those pants.”
I reach down, freeing myself as I pull her panties aside. I’m thrilled to find how wet she is, and now she’s on birth control, we don’t use protection. “You wanted it fast, that’s what you get.”
“Give it to me, Daddy.”
I grin, then tap my dick against her clit, and she moans. I should give her one orgasm before I seat myself deep inside, so I keep up the motion as her eyes flutter closed.
“Brett,” she cries.
I maneuver my hips, stroking my tip across her clit over and over until she’s grabbing my ass and crying out, “Yes, yes, yes!”
She’s not even down from her high when I push inside without warning, and she gasps. “You can take it,” I murmur. “Just like you did this mornin’ when we rattled the headboard.”
“I really need to get that fixed, know a handyman?”
I brace my hands either side of her head, lifting up so I can see her. “The only man allowed in that bedroom, ma’am, is gonna be me.”
She bites down on her lip, wrapping her legs around my waist. “You know it.”
“Now let’s see what you got.”
She laughs. “You’re on top, let’s see what you’ve got.”
She doesn’t even finish that sentence as I pull out, then ram back in. “Jesus,’ I mutter. “So tight, baby.”
I can’t hold back, not this time. I need her so bad, and I need my release, but not before hers. A gentleman never—“Oh, my god!” she moans, cutting off my thoughts as her heels dig into my ass.
I pump my hips harder, brutally, as we fuck like the naughty little rabbits we are. Don’t get me wrong, we make love a lot, but we also like to get a little rough.
“Can’t hold on,” I grunt. “Fuck, baby.”
I still, releasing everything I have with a long, drawn out version of her name. We’re both a panting, sweaty mess as we try to catch our breaths.
“I’ll never tire of this,” she pants.
I kiss her chastely. “Is it wrong if we scoff our food so we can come back and I can eat this pussy out?”
“Jesus, Brett, you’re still in me.”
I chuckle against her pretty lips. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Concert tickets?” Jed claps his hands. “Right on!”
“Well, I couldn’t exactly leave you guys out. You’ve all put up with so much. It’s the least I can do,” I say.
We’re eating with George, Isabelle, Sadie and Zane, as well as Jed and Jo-Beth, plus Zane’s parents and Maisie. We get together a lot for these family dinners, and I don’t mind it one single bit.
“Jackson Hole?” George’s forehead wrinkles, then looks over at me mockingly. “Alpine Falls too good for you?”
Isabelle whacks him on the arm. “Do you really think Alpine Falls can accommodate that many people? Duh.”
He gives her a side eye and Frank immediately tells his daughter to play nice. I don’t know what it is about these two, but they argue and bicker like little kids.
“The venue is much bigger,” Bailey explains. “And security wise, Brett doesn’t want to take any chances. It’s safer for everyone to not have the concert here.”
“But you’ll sing some songs for us, won’t you, Bretty?” Iz asks with a hopeful tone.
“Around the campfire tonight? Of course I will.”
She settles back into her seat. “Everyone is gonna be so jealous when I snapchat what I’m doing.”
“Of course you have to document it,” George mutters.
She shoots him daggers. “It’s the only exciting thing that happens around here,” she sighs. “I’ve gotta take my kicks where I can get them.”
He rolls his eyes.
“We’re all very appreciative,” Sylvia says. “Thank you, Brett.”
“You’re welcome,” I reply with a smile.
Maisie gives us all a woof of approval and everyone laughs.
Zane gives me a chin lift. “How’s the new manager goin’?”
“Good,” I say. “She came highly recommended. Kaley is up and coming, but she has new ideas and a background in media management. She understands the work life balance, plus I have my sister working alongside her, and Dale is now workin’ for me too.”
“That’s great,” Jed says. “Always knew Dale would come to the party and step in as your official financial advisor.”
“I trust him,” I say. “He and Andre work well together, they’re both take ‘no nonsense’ kinda guys. It feels different this time around. Brianna knows what to do, she’s been doin’ this stuff for years, and she’s also runnin’ my marketin’ campaign and liaises with the PA she hired.”
“You literally had to start from scratch,” Bailey says, squeezing my hand.
Our eyes meet. “In some ways, it had to happen; otherwise I wouldn’t be here now.”
“Well, we’re certainly glad you are,” Sadie says, raising her glass. “Here’s to new beginnings and forever friendships.”
“And champagne around the campfire,” JB joins in.
We all raise our glasses in unison. “Thank you to everyone around this table,” I say, a lump in my throat. “For welcomin’ me into the fold.”
“It’s only ‘cause you’re famous,” Jed laughs, pointing at me. “Just kidding, bro, you know we’ve got your back.”
“Thanks, man,” I laugh too.
“Cheers!” Bailey sings out, and everyone follows through loudly with a ‘Cheers’ of their own.
I turn, looking at my beautiful girl. “And to this new life with my amazing girl.”
“I’ll drink to that.” She beams.
I love being on stage.
The lights.
The atmosphere.
The crowd.
It’s even better when your nearest and dearest are in the front row, cheering you on.
The audience is wild tonight, everyone is singing along, dancing, and having a good time. Until it comes to my solo. The new song I was working on for Bailey secretly in the bunkhouse that’s now finished, is called: Forever My Girl.
I switch out guitars, then look over to my beautiful woman. She beams at me, waving. She adored the album title and cried when I told her I named it after our beloved horses in heaven. This is the first time she’s heard the new song, though. So far she’s only heard me tinkering with it.
“This one’s for my gorgeous girl, Bailey,” I say as the cheers and claps ring louder.
“Some of you may remember some time back I went to a little town to find some peace and quiet, and what I ended up findin’ was the love of my life.
Now, my girl doesn’t like a fuss—” She slaps a hand over her mouth with embarrassment, but she’s still smiling as JB nudges her from one side, and Sadie hugs her from the other.
“But I’m here to say, I asked this precious girl to marry me just before the show, and to my absolute amazement, she said yes. ”
Her friends stop, as well as Iz, George, Zane, Jed, Sylvia, and Frank, and gape at Bailey.
She flings her arm out, showing the ring on her finger, a large round-cut diamond. Everyone cheers loudly, seeing her on the big screen as I grin. She blows kisses at me and I blow one back.
“To the love of my life, this one is for you.” I lean into the microphone and sing my heart out.
The road has been so mighty long and weary
But I never thought I’d find love again
Down all the dusty roads and tracks I’ve traveled
I never thought I’d find someone just like you
But I never stopped thinkin’ about what really mattered
And all the years I spent feelin’ down and blue
I didn’t know right then that my heart would mend
I didn’t know that you could change my world
Funny how it all works out somehow, it’s like the stars they just knew
As they shine in the sky, takin’ a bow and twirl
I know I’ll never be able to thank them all
No, I’ll never be able to find the words
For how it feels to have found my forever girl
Tears stream down her face as I stare at her. “You’re the love of my life,” I say as I strum the chords to the chorus. “I love you, Bailey Owens. I can’t wait for you to be my wife.”
“I love you, too,” she mouths. “Husband.”
My center.
My girl.
We did it.
THE END