Page 102 of Rugged and Filthy

In addition, Declan had made certain the two-million-dollar life insurance policy Finn had taken out before he’d gone to the authorities was paid in its entirety, which allowed my little family some comfort.

But as with all aspects of life, love, and happiness, there were also moments of sadness. Today was my amazing father’s funeral. He was buried only a few yards from Finn, but Erin, Aiden, Xena, and I had been able to see my father thriving for a little while longer.

And in turn, we had as well.

The ghosts I’d felt for far too long were gone, replaced with amazing thoughts of the future. I wouldn’t be able to get over my father’s death easily or quickly, but he’d lived his life to the fullest, doing everything in his power to provide happiness and peace to his family.

And I planned on doing the same with mine.

Even if the new family created was a little out of the ordinary.

I stood staring down at Finn’s grave for the last time for least a few months. Tomorrow, the entire lot of us were headed to the United States to begin a new chapter of a life that I’d never believed possible.

The light breeze and beautiful cloudless sunny day were a reminder that two men had done so much, and I had to honor their memories by living. Simply… living.

“He will always be here, just like Finn is,” Foxx said from beside me.

“You can always come back. We do still own your father’s rig,” Hudson offered. Yes, the men had pooled together their money, although with what I had left over from the insurance claim, selling both my father’s house and the one I’d lived in with Finn, and now the rig would have several new pieces of equipment.

“And Cormac and Rory are the best men to keep your father’s legacy going for a long time,” Jack said in quiet reverence.

“I know,” I said as Erin placed a portion of the white roses she’d purchased on Finn’s grave. I’d soon be living with the three men I adored and my son in the Pacific Northwest of America. While they would still be riggers, they had no intention of staying off the Alaskan Coast for too many months out of the year.

Maybe because I’d forbidden their absence but for so long. Was I nervous? Yes.

Was I excited?

Absolutely.

Would I learn to obey them as they demanded?

Highly unlikely.

At least on this day of reverence I could smile, able to let go of the past. “I love you, my dear husband,” I whispered, the light breeze floating the sound away.

Woof. Woof!

Xena nuzzled my leg, my beautiful puppy understanding everything that was happening. I rubbed her head, a single tear slipping past my eyelashes. My father’s funeral had been beautiful, so many people from town attending. And we’d gone to his favorite pub afterwards, celebrating the man’s life and legacy.

“Mommy? Will I ever see Daddy again?”

My sweet little boy clung to my leg, his little voice that seemed to be changing every day nearly breaking my heart. I stooped down to his level, Xena muscling in to ensure she was part of the conversation. I pressed the tip of my index finger against his chest, twisting it until he giggled.

“Your daddy will always be right there in your heart. For the rest of your life.”

“Why can’t I see him?” Aiden asked with wide eyes.

There’d been so many times the three rugged riggers had ignited my senses, reminding me of what I longed for. But it was the special moments, the times when they were so gentle with both Aiden and me that I realized all over again why I’d fallen head over heels in love with them.

All three crouched down, surrounding us in a tight circle.

Foxx pointed to the sky. “Do you see the sun, little bug?”

“Yes,” Aiden answered, nodding several times as he always did.

“Every time you see the sun, you know your daddy is smiling down on you.”

I sucked in my breath, trying to keep from sobbing.

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