Epilogue
IRIS
Eight Months Later
One step in front of the other.
The soft, summer grass, vibrant green with colorful wildflowers scattered where I walk barefoot toward my husband standing at the stunning wedding arch Harper created for us.
One year ago today, I showed up, frantic, scared, unsure. This larger-than-life, broody single dad opened the door to find the wrong sister waiting to fulfill his mail-order bride request.
Never have I been more grateful for my stubborn streak Momma used to say I got from her Dad’s mother.
Our baby girl, not so baby anymore, stands in her pretty lace summer dress, bouncing with excitement for this day she instigated. We’re going to have our hands full when she hits her teens.
I smile, letting the happy streaks stream down my cheeks. He fights his tears, looking devastatingly handsome.
Caleb and Harper gifted us the ranch as our venue for a proper wedding. I loved our courthouse union, so while Olive insists this is Ellis doing it right, I see this as a renewal we get to celebrate with our friends and family.
Ellis mouths, I love you as we hold hands and everything around us fades. The day couldn’t have been more perfect. The weather, forgiving. The food, immaculate. My sister? Happy.
I feel so full after years of darkness. I’m finally able to peacefully bask in the sun.
I smile as Ellis tickles Olive in our bed and her loud squeals of laughter almost bring me to tears again today.
She rolls away from her father. “No more. I go to bed now,” she declares.
Ellis’s deep chest laugh is so different from the held-back laughter I thought was his when I met him.
“Night, Daddy. Night Mommy,” Olive sings, but everyone freezes.
I look at Ellis next to me, worried that if I overreact, I’ll scare this gift away.
“Is that…okay?” Olive timidly asks, and our girl is anything but timid.
“Come here, baby girl,” Ellis says gently.
Olive shifts closer. “I know I have my Momma in heaven but it’s like she brought Iris to continue the job. And she makes us so happy. It has to be Momma’s doing, right?”
Damn it. I can’t hold them back.
I wipe my tears.
I cup Olive’s head and kiss her cheek. “I am honored to continue Gillian’s gifted role of being your mom. I love you. So much.”
“I love you, too,” she whispers.
“Get in, kiddo,” Ellis announces, pulling back our quilt. “Sleepover.” His eyes focus on me, asking.
I smile and nod.
No better way to spend our wedding day.
Ellis pulls us both into his arms. Ginger and Bernie guard us in the living room as they ignore the pet beds we got them for the couches.
In the quiet dark, with Olive’s deep breathing our symphony, his dark green eyes stare at me over her head.
My family, he mouths.
Our family, I mouth back and smile.
His hand finds mine and interlocks, then rests them over Olive’s sleeping frame.
Alright, fate. You win. You’re not a fickle bitch. I take it back.
Smiling, sleep takes me away to a place where waking up and living is the true dream.
Wild Peak Ranch isn't done with you yet.
Harrison fled Texas, his past, and the family that broke him.
All he wanted was silence, solitude, and a cabin deep in the timber.
What he got was Paige Thomas, a cowgirl with dirt under her nails and zero respect for his boundaries.
When his past catches up, she steps in as his fake girlfriend without asking.