Page 113 of An Endless Memory

I held my arms out for Kellan. He grinned and reached for me. I lifted him. “Kellan’s horse isn’t stained yet because it’s not born yet. Once we know the color, Jasper said he’ll finish it.”

“The mommy is still pregnant?” Cali’s voice was full of awe.

“Yup. Uncle Ansen is going to help me train both of them for you two.”

“Can I help?”

“We’ll have to ask.” Ansen would probably love to pass on his knowledge to young horse owners. It made his job easier when he knew a client would continue supporting the training long after he was done with the animal.

I put an arm around Lily. She felt good pressed against my side. Just like it felt right to be in this house without a deadline hanging over my head.

“I’m going to be living here now too.” I was almost afraid to say it, as if Lily would wake me up and tell me I’d been dreaming. “Is that okay with you?”

Lily squeezed her arm around me. Her reassurance was appreciated.

Cali jumped up and down. “Yay! Can you take me to school tomorrow?”

“Absolutely. I’ll take you to school every day this week.” And the next. And the one after that.

Cali snatched her horse off the table and then threw her arms around me. She clutched me and the figurine tight. “I love you, Daddy.”

Hell. My throat grew tight. I never thought I’d be called Daddy. I had been afraid I wouldn’t be worthy of it. But right now, I knew I’d spend the rest of my life proving that I was the right man for Lily and a good dad to these kids.

“I love you too, boss lady. I love your brother, and I’m so in love with your mom.”

Epilogue

Lily

At my first wedding, there hadn’t been that many people. All my siblings had shown. I’d chosen a simple white dress that could double as a summer party dress. My in-laws had been dour-faced and disapproving. Carter had been a smooth talker, and I’d been excited to jump right into a family. Yet I hadn’t been able to escape the feeling that the mood of the day had been a warning sign for the marriage.

My second wedding had a desperate cloud over it. Eliot had been quiet but kind and maybe a little confused. I had been timid and upset at myself and the world for putting me in such a position. Yet I hadn’t felt like a dark cloud hung over us. Just a resigned one.

This was still my second marriage, but my third wedding. Eliot was in crisp black jeans and a white dress shirt. His dark hair was ruffled from the light wind, and he’d left the scruff on his face because I’d asked him to. I wore a flowing, off-the-shoulder wedding dress. I had on a new pair of cowboy boots underneath.

Bug had behaved very well for the vow renewal ceremony on our property. There were a lot of kids who were wrangling him, and now he wandered freely, completely played out but unwilling to nap through the excitement.

The old red barn had been our ceremony backdrop and the whole day was perfect. Laughter rang across the lawn. The sounds of kids’ delighted screams and yells while they played were the perfect music.

Aunt Linda had happily signed off on our marriage as legit, and then she and Uncle Darren took off on a trip to Alaska.

All of Eliot’s family was here. I couldn’t have asked for better in-laws. I had a large group of friends who were now family. Sutton, Aggie, Tova, and Vienne had incorporated me into their dart nights. I couldn’t aim, but they didn’t care.

A few months ago, Violet had been in town, and she’d come along for darts. She and Willis had broken up, and she’d needed to get away. I was flattered she’d chosen to spend her time with me, but then I saw her with Cali and Kellan. She’d needed sister time, yes, but she’d needed to be the fun aunt more than anything.

Still, I was worried about her.

Eliot held my hand. We didn’t have to mingle. Everyone came to us. Catherine was following Kellan around now that he could walk and tried to keep up with his much older cousins.

Sutton took a drink of her fruit punch. “Do you think anyone else is going to meet the terms of the inheritance?”

I shrugged. My oldest brother was chatting with Dad and Cody. Alder worked at King Oil with Dad and loved his job. I doubted he’d give it up for a year just for a house and some land. Jasper was chatting with Eliot and Chambers on the other side of me. He loved what he was doing, but maybe he’d decide to form his own business. At the cost of being married? I wasn’t sure I could envision Jasper settling down. Poppy and Clover were chatting with each other. Neither one had brought a date or mentioned that they were seeing anyone.

“I don’t know,” I said. “I can’t even guess who’ll be first.”

“What about last?” She took a drink from her punch cup. “I would’ve said Austen and Eliot were going to stay single forever.” She smiled. “I’m so glad I was wrong.”

I was too. “When the snow melted, I stopped by the cemetery and thanked Grandma for meddling in my life. I can only hope it turns out just as well for the rest.”

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