Page 64 of The Way to a Cowboy's Heart

“A recipe is a story that ends with a good meal.”

–Pat Conroy–

Epilogue

Four years later

The anniversary celebrationof the opening of the Hard Eight Guest Ranch was well under way with every cabin and glamping tent booked, as had been the case the entire summer. Chef Gary Nevers was manning the barbeque grill as the guests mingled amongst the tables and the central fire pit where a half-dozen children were roasting hot dogs on long metal forks over the fire. The hot dogs were specially made by Nevers and a big attraction for the little ones as the adults indulged in his gourmet offerings. The party soundtrack played country songs from the outdoor speakers and later, Cami’s brother-in-law, Luke, had promised to sing some cowboy songs by the campfire.

Another handful of younger children climbed on the wooden play structure poised a hundred feet away where swings and monkey bars, zip lines, and slides kept them entertained while their parents sipped on beers and cocktails. Tara and Gus and Cami’s daughter, ten-year-old Eloise, were at the play yard, watching the little ones.

Standing around the long table that would seat most of the family, the Hardestys had gathered to celebrate the continued success of the operation, which had seen a profit this year and last, recouping their initial investment. Will and Gus were standing near their wives, nursing Coronas, while Shay and Emily were running fresh drinks for the coolers placed strategically around the yard.

But none of that mattered to the three-year-old little girl with long blond curls who pushed her way through the crowd of adults toward the Hardesty table. Eloise chased along behind her. “Clover—” she called after her. “Wait for me!”

But Clover collided with Cami’s legs in a hug. Cami reached down for her, scooping her up in her arms. “Mmmmm-whaaa!” she said, kissing the toddler on the top of her head. In return, Clover hugged her tightly. “Aunt Cami so loves your hugs, Clovie. Where are you off to? Are you looking for mommy?”

Clover nodded.

Eloise said, “Tell Aunt Cami what you found, Clovie.”

But Clover held something tight in her fist, refusing.

“Oh. It’s a surprise for your mom? Well, I think I saw her somewhere around. Shall we go look?”

The little girl nodded again. Halfway across the yard, they met Izzy, who was heavily pregnant with her and Will’s second child and due any minute.

“Look who I found!” Cami said, allowing Clover to lean in for an Izzy kiss.

“Clover!” Izzy kissed her on the nose. “My little blossom! Where’s Lucas? Did you leave him over at the swings?”

“Yep,” she said as Cami caught her by the bare foot.

“Tara is watching Lucas,” Eloise told Izzy. “He’s having fun.”

“Oh, good. But where’s your mommy, Clover? I thought I saw her here just a minute ago.”

“I did, too,” Sarah said, approaching from the far side of the long table. “Come here, darlin’. We’ll go find her.”

“Oh, Grandma wants a snuggle,” Cami said, handing her over.

Of all the grandkids, Clover owned the reputation as best snuggler and rarely refused a hug, unless she was on a mission, which she apparently was.

She opened her fist to show Sarah what she’d found. “See?”

“What’s that? A rock?”

Clover shook her head. “A fish.”

“A fish?”

“Look.”

Sure enough, there was a fossil embedded in the rock. A tiny, fossilized fish.

“Wow! You did find a fish. Let’s go show your mom.” But from behind her came Liam’s voice.

“What about me, Clover Blossom?”

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