Page 97 of Awakening the Sheriff

He blinked a few times. “I don’t think I ever processed that, but yes, I think that played into it. They’re my girls, but they don’t have my genes. For the most part, that doesn’t matter, but in this?” He swallowed. “Yeah, in this, it does matter.”

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him close. Every time I thought I’d figured out this tough, proud man, I discovered new aspects. He had a big, soft heart underneath, but he was so used to keeping that part of himself hidden. “I’m sorry, baby. But she’s still alive in you, and you’re still passing on what you learned from her to your girls…and now to my boys as well.”

He let go of me, his beautiful eyes teary. And then he sank on one knee, looked up, and whispered, “Marry me. Be mine officially. Not later or down the line, but as soon as possible. I love you so much, and I don’t want to wait to begin our life together.”

This man. This amazing, wonderful man. He’d had my heart from the moment I met him. “Yes.” I knelt in front of him and looked deep into his perfect eyes. “Yes, I will marry you as soon as possible. You’re my everything, Auden Frant, and I will proudly become your husband.”

We kissed. Right there, on our knees on the hard kitchen floor, we kissed. And I wasn’t ashamed to admit we were both crying. No one was there to see it, but even if they were, who cared? I’d found the best man in the whole world…and he was about to become my husband.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s go get the kids and show them our new home. They’re gonna love it.”

They did. They were ecstatic about moving into a place this big, and Violet and Dani immediately decided they wanted a horse. Milton was sold on the idea of a game room, and Byron was already glad he’d have his own room, which was twice as big as the one he had now.

And when we got married a few weeks later in a private ceremony in our orchard, our kids stood right next to us as we took our vows. Heck, even Byron was wearing the biggest grin.

Miracles still happened. The man by my side was living proof of that.

EPILOGUE

AUDEN

Two years later

The gymnasium buzzed with anticipation, the air thick with the scent of fresh flowers, teenage sweat, and nervous energy. I sat there, my heart swelling with pride as I watched Byron prepare to walk across the stage for his high school graduation. Keaton, my rock, my everything, was right beside me, our hands entwined. Our other three kids were perched on the bleachers next to us, excitement radiating from their faces. Both our parents had joined us for the occasion, chattering away about their grandkid’s accomplishments.

Sadly, Mandy had not been able to make it—her words. She had moved back to Atlanta, and her relationship with Byron and Milton had never recovered. They’d barely seen each other over the last two years. Byron had refused to spend time with her, and Keaton and I weren’t forcing him. Not after what she’d done. And Milton had taken his brother’s side, and who could blame him? But both boys were doing great, even without their mother.

It was a far cry from two years ago when Byron’s life had been on a rocky path. He had turned everything around, forming an unbreakable bond with Gabe—now his best friend—and with Violet, much to our surprise. Now, as valedictorian, Byron stood tall, ready to face the world. He’d been accepted into Claremont McKenna College, a renowned liberal arts college that we could only afford thanks to a more than generous gift from Keaton’s parents, in combination with scholarships Byron had applied for.

“Can you believe this day is finally here?” Keaton whispered in my ear, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

“Time flies.” I was instantly transported back to that day thirty-two years ago when I had graduated, and Marnin had said those almost exact words to me. Time had flown by.

That day, I’d had so many dreams…and I had realized them, despite the many obstacles life had thrown my way. I’d served, had worked my way through college, had built a life, and after many tears, had a family with Tricia. And I’d become sheriff, following in my father’s footsteps. Things hadn’t all turned out the way I had expected…but my heart was so full of gratitude.

But never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I’d find a man like Keaton. A partner who had become not only my husband but also my best friend, my confidant, my anchor in every storm.

“Remember when we first met?” I asked Keaton.

“Of course.” He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You were this tall, brooding sheriff who swooped in and saved the day.”

“And you were the dashing, intellectual English teacher who had me wrapped around his finger from the moment we met,” I countered.

“True.” Keaton leaned in for a quick kiss, and butterflies fluttered through my stomach, even after two years together.

The graduates filed onto the stage, and Byron, wearing his valedictorian sash, took his place among them. The journey he had been on these past two years was remarkable, and I felt so fortunate to have played a part in it.

“Look at him,” Keaton murmured. “I’m so proud.”

I took his hand and kissed it. “Me too.”

“Here comes the big speech,” Keaton whispered after Principal Hebert had made his opening remarks.

Byron stepped behind the podium, took a deep breath, and launched into his address. “Fellow graduates, esteemed faculty, friends, and family… Today, I want to talk about change.” He paused, making eye contact with several audience members, including us. “As humans, we tend to cling to what’s familiar, but progress doesn’t come without change. To quote the great Maya Angelou, ‘We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.’”

I nodded in agreement. How much had my life changed since meeting Keaton? I now had not just a loving partner but an entire beautiful blended family.

“Change can be daunting, even terrifying,” Byron continued, his voice growing more confident with each word. “But it is through change that we grow, that we become better versions of ourselves.” As he spoke, I couldn’t help but feel profound gratitude for the changes that had brought our family together.

---