Page 41 of Cozy Cabin for Two
Ro sniffled, nestled into her mother’s side. “I love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too, my sweet little girl.” Willow leaned her head against me.
“I love you both so much.” My arm stretched behind them along the back of the couch, and I squeezed them a little more into me, holding my heart and soul and everything that mattered. I let them drift off to sleep for a little while and stared at the fire in the cabin I’d built.
Little did I know when I built this place that I’d end up filling it with so much love. It was definitely cozy enough for the three of us.For now.
Epilogue
WILLOW
Late Spring
“I love riding with you,Mom. Isn’t this fun?” Ro grinned and gushed on the back of Marshmallow. If she could live on a horse night and day, she would.
“It is, sweetie.” Today I rode a pretty and mild Palomino named Pearl, who came to us from an older rancher we’d met at the Open House. He could no longer take care of his animals properly. She turned out to be lovely—and easy on my ass for riding.
Ash rode Tank and took up the rear on the trail. We wanted to take one more ride together on this sunny spring day—as a family—before leaving on our honeymoon.
Juniper couldn’t come with us on the trail becauseshe surprised us all last week with the birth of her foal. The sweet black and white filly fell instantly in love with Ro, who picked her name, June Bug. Every day after school, before she got her homework and chores done, she ran to the barn to spend time with them.
After our ride, Ro and I settled the horses and put the tack away in the barn. Ash had to step away for a quick call with Chris, who had approved building new cabins for some of the ranch hands over the coming summer, along with a corporate retreat center. Chris had also hired me to drum up business and manage all the events and rentals for that.
Talk about a dream job. I got to be home for Ro to see her before and after school. I also supported Ash with light office work on this ranch—not to mention the best perk being our occasional lunchtime quickies.
“Going to watch Daisy train a new horse, Mom,” Ro announced.
“Keep close. We’ll be leaving soon.” I finished up, giving Pearl and Marshmallow some treats, then visited Juniper and her foal.She hung her head out and sighed and nodded, our connection stronger than ever.
“Hey girl. You’re such a good mama. I know it’s goodbye for now. But we’ll be back. Take care of little June Bug.” I gave her a peppermint and a long hug. Iwould be forever grateful for her in my life and what she did for me that fateful night last fall.
Outside the barn, I met up with Ash. His face was downturned, and my heart plummeted. “Oh no, what did Chris say?”
His frown morphed suddenly into a broad grin. “He approved the sale of the acreage at Rhodes Ridge to us. It’s ours, bright eyes.” He lifted me and swung me around. I yelped and laughed. Another dream come true. “If I hurry and get plans submitted by summer, with a little help from some men on the weekends, we could break ground and get the exterior finished. Then we could work on the interior through the fall. Maybe move in by winter.”
“I’d love that. Our first Christmas as a family in our new home.”
“Would that make you happy, wife?”
“You’ve already done that. Everything else is a bonus.”
He had been itching for the sale of the land to finalize, pouring his spare time into the plans. He promised me this home would be cozy enough for three—or more. We were in no hurry for the “or more,” simply enjoying our little family as it was for now.
But we loved to practice for the “or more” every chance we got.
“Before anything gets built though, I need to take my wife on our honeymoon. Are you ready to go?” He loosened his hold and slid me down his body, capturing my lips along the way. Warm and lingering over several kisses in the sunshine, my body lit up on fire for the man I now called my husband.
I loved being called his wife.
“Sheesh, will you two just leave already?” Ro came running over, plowing her way between us.
I knew deep down she’d miss us, but right now she was too excited about staying with the Wylde sisters while we were on our trip. Ivy promised her it’d be one whole week of sleepovers, complete with junk food eating, nail polishing, dancing, and whatever other mischief they got into. At least I knew Ro would be in good hands with people who cared for her.
“Come here, Ro. Oh my girl. You be good for Daisy and all the girls while we’re gone.” I knelt in front of her and held her tight. This would mark the first time I’d be away from my baby ever. I tried not to cry.
“Mom, you’re squeezing me. I can’t breathe,” she giggled. “I’ll be good, I promise. Will you and Daddy Ash be okay without me?”
The ‘Daddy Ash’ was something she started once Ash proposed to me on Christmas Day. The proposal came as a complete surprise. We’d taken Ro outside to make snow angels and forts, but went back inside within the hour. Ash stayed out longer than we did, teasing us that we were still too much like city girls to endure the freezing temperatures.
