Page 70 of Cowboy and the Convict

Janie leaned back, her eyes wide as they bounced around the girls surrounding her. “No shit?”

They all nodded.

“Well,” she took a deep breath, “I was offered a crap ton of money for a job in a different state.” She glanced at him. “But then I remembered I never taught your dad how to make layered enchiladas, so I decided to pass on it.”

“So you’re staying?” Riley’s question was soft. Hesitant.

Janie nodded, reaching out to stroke down his daughter’s hair. “I’m staying.”

“Here with us?” Olivia rocked up on her toes, eyes bright. “Is that your moving truck in the driveway?”

Janie nodded again, though this one was a little slower. “If that’s okay.” She glanced Devon’s way. “If you girls don’t want—”

“We do.” Gwen leaned closer, dropping her voice like he wouldn’t still be able to hear her. “Our dad is kind of a downer when you’re not around.”

“Downer, huh?” She lifted her brows, turning his way. “I guess I’ll have to stay then.”

He wasn’t naive enough to think this was how it would always be. That his daughters would never have moments where they were frustrated or even mad at the woman beside him. But right now, this moment, was fucking perfect. For Janie. It was what she needed more than anything. To know these girls loved her with their whole hearts. That no matter what, they wanted—needed—her around.

Even if they blamed it on him.

He clapped his hands. “Since everyone is so excited that Janie’s staying with us, then I’m sure everyone will be happy to help get her truck unloaded.”

His girls went quiet.

“That’s what I thought.” He crossed to the door where Sharon was lingering. She caught him as he passed, his daughters back to chatting excitedly with Janie about all she’d missed.

Her hand gripped his, holding tight. A sad smile curved her lips. “I’m happy for you, Devon. You deserve someone who loves the hell out of you.”

His chest tightened as he struggled to find words that might ease Sharon’s pain.

There weren’t any.

No matter what, her daughter would never have the chance to find someone she could love the hell out of. She would never have the chance to watch her girls grow up.

But hopefully, wherever she was, Mags would be happy to know the woman picking up where she had to leave off would make sure her daughters were loved and appreciated. Understood and encouraged. That they never settled.

And never stayed anywhere but exactly where they wanted to be.

Epilogue

Janie

“ARE YOU SURE you’re okay with this?” Riley asked for the tenth time.

“I’m positive.” Janie adjusted the towel at her neck. “It can’t be any worse than the box color I’ve been using for the past year and a half.”

Riley took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. “Okay.”

She was barely halfway through the first of the four sections she’d parted her curly hair into when her cell phone started to ring.

“You can get it.” Janie grinned. “I won’t dock your tip.”

Riley hesitated for a second before grabbing her cell from the table with her ungloved hand, swiping across the screen to answer the call. Her eyes widened a second later. “I totally forgot. I’m so sorry.” She chewed her lower lip, looking a little panicked. “Let me see what I can do.”

Janie didn’t wait for her to hang up before waving one hand at the door. “Go. I can handle this.”

Riley shifted from foot to foot. “But I promised I would color your hair.”

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