Epilogue
Violet
“Well, Bud no longer fits.” I cradled my newborn daughter in my arms. My body ached and the fatigue was staggering, but I was so damn happy. “We got so used to calling her Bud that we never did come up with a name.”
Evander sat on the edge of the bed. We were going home soon, and we had all the paperwork to fill out.
He ran a finger down her nose. Her little mouth worked like she had an invisible pacifier. “Willa Annie Barron. If you’re sure about using Annie.”
“I can’t be upset with Grandma Annie since what she did made sure I could find you again.” And Willa was an ode to his sweet mom. He never said, but I knew it was important to him to honor her. I handed Willa over, and he carefully accepted her. I would never tire of watching his big frame snuggle a tiny little baby. “Willa Annie Barron. She’ll be the prettiest guest at our wedding reception. ”
To be compliant with the trust, we’d had to get married at the justice of the peace so I could live with Evander. My aunt had been apologetic, but I didn’t care. If I had married him then or in six months or in six years, it didn’t matter. Evander and I would be together.
But since we had to say our vows early, the house would be officially ours earlier.
“A beautiful July reception for my beautiful girls.” He leaned forward and kissed me. “I might get the siding replaced before then. You can be the foreman,” he said to Willa. “Make sure I’m doing it right.”
This man. He made every day special. By the time I woke for work, he was up and had breakfast waiting. When I got home, he had a meal in the oven. I got foot rubs, back rubs—anything rubbed.
Some nights, I sat in the nursery and admired the love put into the decor. When I mentioned that there was nothing in the room that gave a nod to his army time or ag background, he’d painted the two other walls. A baby bear with an army uniform on one wall and a pasture full of sunflowers on the other. Colorful and stimulating , he’d said. Good for Bud’s brain.
In July, we’d have a small reception with just family amid the second annual goddamn pumpkin patch. He’d even named his side hustle GD Pumpkins.
“I have my two girls to myself for the next three months,” he said. “I’m going to take good care of you both.”
My eyelids were getting heavy. “You already have.”
When I woke up, he’d be there, caring for Willa and me. And he’d have that look in his eyes. The one that said we were his world. His everything. Just like he was mine.
_______ _
Alder got his life on track and he’s ready to be the boss. But it includes a move to Coal Haven, and when he learns his ex-wife Daisy and her daughter need a place to stay, he makes an offer. Marry him one more time, and she can stay in the house for a year until the inheritance is official. The only problem is…he has to live there too in Daisy Whispers .
Thank you so much for joining Violet and Evander!