Page 90 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

I grin, unable to contain my excitement. "You'll see."

"What is it, another horse?" Ashanti pipes up, reminding us of her presence. Her eyes are wide with hope and a touch of wariness. I realize she's probably been through too many surprises in her young life, and not all are good.

I kneel down to her level, my heart full of love for this little girl who's become such an important part of my life. "Maybe, maybe not," I say with a wink. "The only way to find out is to join me on this adventure called life."

I look back up at Krystal, suddenly overwhelmed by the magnitude of this moment. This is it. This is our chance to start over, to build the life we've always dreamed of.

Slowly, I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring – the one Krystal had left behind. It glints in the moonlight, a symbol of promises made and nearly broken but now renewed.

"Krystal Duncan," I say, my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. "Will you marry me? For real this time, no doubts, no fears, just us building a life together?"

Krystal's hands fly to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, my heart stops, worried that maybe I've misread everything. But then she nods, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Yes," she whispers. Then louder, "Yes! I will!"

I slide the ring onto her finger, where it belongs, where I hope it will stay forever. Then I stand and pull her close, wrapping my arms around her and Ashanti both.

With Krystal and Ashanti in my arms, I feel like I can take on the world. Because we're not just two separate people anymore. We're not a broken family trying to piece itself back together.

We're partners, lovers, best friends.

We're home.

As we walk towards the car, our future stretching out before us, a sense of calm settles over me. There will be challenges ahead, I know. We have a lot to figure out—the move to Montana, my transition away from Innoventis, building a new life together.

But for the first time, I'm not afraid of the unknown. Because I know that whatever comes our way, we'll face it together. Me, Krystal, and Ashanti. Our little family, finally whole, finally home.

The night sky stretches above us, stars twinkling like promises of all the adventures to come. As I help Ashanti into the car, as I kiss Krystal one more time before we embark on thisnew journey, I know in my heart that this—this love, this family, this life we're choosing—is everything I've ever wanted.

And it's only the beginning.

EPILOGUE

KRYSTAL

Five years later...

The early morning sun paints the Montana sky in hues of pink and gold as I step onto the porch of our ranch house, a steaming mug of coffee warming my hands. The crisp autumn air carries the scent of pine and hay, a familiar comfort that never fails to ground me.

Our dream has become a reality. The horse ranch Shane and I envisioned when we first moved to Silver Ridge stretches out before me – rolling pastures dotted with grazing horses, a state-of-the-art barn, and, in the distance, the workshop where I've brought countless pieces of old machinery back to life.

"Mama!" A small voice calls from inside. "Where are my riding boots?"

I smile, shaking my head. Our son, five-year-old Mason, is already up and eager to start his day. "Check by the back door, sweetheart," I call back.

The screen door creaks open behind me as if on cue, and Shane steps out, looking ruggedly handsome in his worn jeans and flannel shirt. Even after all these years, the sight of him still makes my heart skip a beat.

"Morning, beautiful," he murmurs, wrapping his arms around me from behind and pressing a kiss to my temple.

I lean back into his embrace, savoring the moment. "Morning, handsome. Sleep well?"

He chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. "As well as one can with a toddler who thinks 3 AM is the perfect time to practice her rodeo skills."

I laugh, thinking of our spirited three-year-old daughter, Kamilah. "She's definitely got your energy."

"And your sass," Shane counters, giving me a squeeze before releasing me. "Ashanti up yet?"

"Haven't seen her," I reply, a hint of worry creeping into my voice. Our eldest has been unusually quiet lately, the weight of her senior year and impending college decisions weighing heavily on her shoulders.

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