Page 87 of The Cowboy's Surprise Return

His mood faltered slightly. He’d been mending fences, but didn’t particularly want to see Roy on the happiest day he’d had in a very long time.

Cole got out of his truck, his boots crunching the gravel underfoot. A shadow on the porch moved forward into the sunlight and down the steps. Cole worked to calm his breathing and slowly closed his truck door. His father stopped a few feet away.

“How did it go?” Roy asked.

Cole stared at him. “Sorry?”

“Brant said you went to help Jackie. I was sad to hear about her dad’s condition, and how she had to move to the city. That’s tough on a country girl.”

He nodded.

“I heard you changed things for her today?”

“She’s moving home.”

“Good.” The corner of Roy’s’s mouth turned up in a smile. “And I hear she was… happy with your meddling?”

Ah, the Sweetheart Creek rumor mill. Would there be anyone left for him to tell about his engagement?

“She was.”

His father stepped closer, his cowboy boots disturbing the dirt at his feet. For a moment, Cole thought he was going to hug him.

Roy cleared his throat and held up his hand, fingers closed, palm down. “This was your grandmother’s, and I thought you might have a need for it.”

Hesitantly, Cole held out his own hand, curious what his father had for him, but knowing he was asking for forgiveness and trying to make things right again.

Roy grasped Cole’s hand, then placed what he was holding on his palm and curled Cole’s fingers around it. “Take good care of her,” he said, briefly making eye contact.

“Thanks, Dad.” Cole hadn’t called him that in so long it made his eyes dampen. And if he looked at the old cowboy in front of him, he knew he’d likely see the same moisture. He focused on their cupped hands, trying to make his next words strong instead of quavering with emotion. “I will.”

Roy squeezed Cole’s closed fist, then paused for a split second before letting go. Tipping his cowboy hat, he turned and walked to his truck without looking back.

Cole opened his hand and gazed at the small, worn ring box. Fresh starts built on the strength of the past.

Epilogue

Epilogue

Jackie couldn’t believe how quickly her friends had packed up her San Antonio apartment and got her situated at the Sweet Meadows Ranch.

The Wylder clan had folded in around her, making sure her father didn’t lose his reserved spot in the Sweet Hills Memory Care Facility. She’d never been fussed over so thoroughly in all her life, and knew it wasn’t just because she was a Wylder-to-be. They were her family and had been for years.

It looked like chasing Cole all her life had paid off in more ways than one.

Levi had offered to clear out the office that had once been Cole’s room, so she could stay in it. But knowing she wouldn’t spend a single night in there—at least not alone—she told him it was fine; she’d bunk with Cole in Brant’s old room. Then she’d given Cole a gigantic kiss in case anyone had missed the fact that the two of them were stepping down their own little path to a happily ever after.

Myles had rolled his eyes and declared he was moving out.

It had been a month so far, and he hadn’t yet. Each morning at breakfast, Jackie asked if today was the day he’d propose to Karen. So far he hadn’t done that yet, either.

But she knew it was coming soon, just like the small pre-built home she and Cole had on order and would sit on the other side of the holly hedge, next door to Carmichael's.

As for Ryan, he was over at Carly’s more nights than he was at the ranch. It looked like something might be brewing there, too.

Jackie and Goose had blended right into ranch life, making themselves at home as well as useful when Owen Lancaster had unexpectedly quit. She hadn’t been able to pry anything out of the former hired hand other than that he’d been made an offer he couldn’t refuse, and she’d soon hear all about it.

As for Goose, he wasn’t much of a herding dog, but he was definitely happier running with the other dogs, dragging grass and dust into the house in his shaggy coat each evening.

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