Page 178 of Wildest Forever

The gun shot that still echoes in my ears was the reason we walked away.

Kelcie and Wallen were ready to pull the trigger, Lucian holding his gun at Tripp but Riggs beat them to it and I still don’t know how he did it.

He claims the police were there and I just didn’t notice them but I didn’t believe him. Distraction maybe? The sounds of gravel shifting and branches snapping and then the gun was fired, ending it once and for all.

He saved our lives.

He was right all those weeks ago in the bunkhouse when he thought he knew who was behind it. I never asked how he knew, just took his word.

“It’s over,” Riggs nods, bringing his glass to his lips and takes a mouthful.

“You won the war my boys,” Ma says as she glances at the three of us.

“We won the war,” I mutter as I curl my arm around Morgan and hold her tightly.

I didn’t think we would come back alive from tonight, but here we are, and I am counting every single blessing.

Slicing my eyes to Riggs, he gives a heavy nod.

“Live by the ranch…” he trails off.

“Die by the ranch,” the rest of us finished his sentence before we all raised a glass.

EPILOGUE

MORGAN

FIVE YEARS LATER

Peace radiates over Lovelock Bay and Blossom Cove; sure, there will always be threats, but the main one is diminished. Kelcie, Lucian and Wallen are buried in the ground.

The suits put behind bars and Dixie’s dad and Marty, join the others six feet under.

The war was won and it was won by The Riveras.

All is fair in love and war, and that was the truth.

At least for all of us anyway.

Standing in the sunflower field, my fingers dust across the petals. A warmth radiates through my body and that's how I know I made the right choice.

A year after everything happened, we made the decision to sell the cattle. I knew I wanted more from the ranch and my pops’ legacy, and I knew he deserved more than the cattle ranch. Pacey stood by my side every step of the way, and with the help of him and our family, Pops Ranch was born.

For a young girl who grew up here, in the beauty that is my home, I wanted to give children that same feeling.

I had tossed the idea around for a fair while and once I had my mind settled, I told Pacey my dreams and of course, he helped me soar with them.

Our summer camp had been running for a little over three years now and we were booked two years in advanced.

I truly thought me and kids would never work, but here I am, living proof that your dreams will always find you.

I believe my pops knew what I needed and that's why he was so against the ranch being sold.

“Mama,” I hear her voice and spin to see her running towards me, curly blonde hair pinned back with a dusty blue bow, hazel eyes and apple cheeks, dressed in dirty denim overalls and a white tee.

“Hey baby girl,” I crouch down and pick her up, holding her close to me.

“Me and daddy made lunch,” she says sweetly, her hands on my cheeks.

---