Page 62 of Rancher's Pride

EPILOGUE

FALLON

Five months later.

A slow melody floated through the open windows as I closed the door to Josie’s room, and I couldn’t help but smile. Walking into the kitchen, I grabbed a beer from the fridge and went to join my handsome husband on the porch. Pushing the screen door open, I leaned against the doorframe and watched him playing.

He sat on the porch swing, one leg outstretched, pushing against the floor, making the swing rock slightly back and forth. His fingers plucked at the strings, a cigar between his lips and his ball cap on his head. Somehow, I’d woken up in my dream, and I never wanted to close my eyes in case it all disappeared.

“You standing over there all night, letting my drink get warm and the spot beside me staying cold, Toots?” He drawled. Pushing off the wall, I sauntered over to where he was sitting. “Do that again,” he said, letting his eyes roam my body. I walked back to the door, making sure I swayed my hips because I knew he’d be watching my ass.

Turning, my dress twirled around my legs and I watched his gaze lock on my legs. The man was predictable, and I loved it. Twisting the cap off his beer, I lifted it to my mouth and took a pull. “Thanks,” I said as I winked at him before I handed him the bottle.

“Girls asleep?” He asked, pulling the cigar from his mouth and setting it on the table beside him. I nodded and the wafting smoke filled my nose.

“That’s the same one Dad used to smoke.” My eyes welled with tears. Would there ever be a time I could talk about him without being sad?

“Yep, it is. I have one on this day every year for him.” Silence filled the porch as we both thought about the man who’d been bigger than life. “How can seven years feel like yesterday and a lifetime at once?”

“I guess when someone leaves a hole that big in the world, it doesn’t take much.” He whispered.

Footsteps on the gravel made me look away from Nash’s fingers, strumming his guitar. “You two up for a little company?” Kipp asked as he and Nora walked up the steps.

“Always,” Nash said as he nodded to my brother.Kipp raised his hand, and I noticed the cigar in his hand as well.

The sound of a vehicle driving in made us all look up, and I smiled when I saw Griff’s truck, followed by Ryder and Linc. Griff walked to the passenger side door and opened it, and a woman stepped out. Looking at Nora, I arched my brow, and she shrugged. She was gorgeous and reached for Griff’s hand as they got closer to the house.

“Hope you don’t mind one more.” Griff said as they walked up the stairs and took seats. “Everyone, this is Elle Greggory.” Griff went around the circle and introduced everyone.

“Wait, are you Chanel Greggory?” I asked, and the woman flinched slightly when I said her name.

“Yeah, that’s me.” She nodded.

“You two know one another?” Griff asked, reaching for a beer from the cooler Ryder set in the middle of the circle.

“Elle’s only the best equine massage therapist in the state.” Leaning back against Nash, who’d set his guitar aside, he wrapped his big arm around me.

“She’s not a bad people's masseuse either.” Griff said as he leaned back and put his arm around the back of Elle’s chair. Nora and I looked at one another again and tried to hide our grins.

“Wait, I remember you.” Linc said, pulling Kristin into his lap. “You’re the nurse that looked after Griff when he broke his shoulder.”

“One and the same.” Elle said, smiling.

“So what’s the story?” I asked, taking Nash’s beer, and took another drink.

“Can I get you your own Toots?” He said flatly as I handed it back to him.

“No, I don’t want one.”

“Right,” he said, his voice low and unimpressed. Kissing his cheek, I watched a smile cross his lips and he winked at me.

“No story. Just met Elle outside of the hospital setting a few weeks ago when she brought the runaway horse’s back.” Griff looked at Elle, and I watched him slip his finger under her bra strap. And she blushed as she looked away from the group. There was more of a story there, and I couldn’t wait to find out.

“So where are you living, Elle?” Kristin asked as she cuddled into Linc.

“Well, as of yesterday, I’m living with Griff.” She smiled slightly and looked down at her hands. Nora, Kristin and I exchanged quick glances and smiled.

Griff wasn’t a man who moved quickly and if he only met Elle a few weeks ago, it was surprising. As I looked around the expanding group, I saw the same questions on everyone’s faces, but nobody voiced it. Whatever Griff was doing made sense to him.

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