Page 179 of Wildest Forever

“Did you now?” I smile warmly at her and she nods.

“Daddy said my grilled cheese is better than yours,” and she giggles as she looks over her shoulder and teases her daddy.

“I don't think I did say that now did I, Jorgie?”

She shrugs her shoulders, a cheeky grin on her face.

“Come on, let’s get inside, your cousins will be here soon,” I place a kiss on her cheek and set her down.

She runs off towards the gate and I close the steps between me and him.

“We made it,” I sigh on a blissful note.

“We did baby,” his arms tucks over my shoulder as we walk down to the house, my head on his shoulder and I have never felt more content than I do now.

PACEY

I watch on as the family all sit in the living room, the kids playing on the floor.

“Look how happy ma is,” I say, leaning against the doorframe as Riggs swigs a mouthful of beer.

“I know,” I nod as I look forward.

Ma is sitting on the floor, Megan—Dixie and Tripp’s daughter—on her lap. Jorgie plays with Lainey and Aspen sits in Gerry's armchair, their son, Bodhi in her arms as she sings him a sweet lullaby and Tripp and Dixie sit on the sofa, his hand on her bump. Dusty and Marsha stand in the corner, their kids running out front and somehow we have become this perfect family.

Austin is in the kitchen talking to Buck and Blue and Sunny has just walked through the door with bags of shopping.

“We made it brother,” Riggs says as he pats me on the back and hands me a beer.

“We made it,” I nod, taking a mouthful and just appreciating for a second what we have right in front of us and I know dad would be looking down on us, proud as anything for us saving our legacy.

Our ranches still stand and when the time is right, all will be handed down to our children.

This will forever be our home, and our motto will be etched on our graves in years to come.

'Live by the ranch, die by the ranch.’

“Hey! Sorry we're late,” Nate's voice sweeps through the room and I turn, smiling as I welcome them all into our home.

They all disperse into different rooms, and we spend the remainder of the day entertaining.

Sitting on the decked porch, the stars twinkle in the night sky and I feel at peace.

“How did we get so lucky?” her voice pulls at me as her hand slips over my shoulder as she sits beside me.

“No luck about it baby,” I tease as I kiss her. “We were always going to get this life.”

She smiles.

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

“Sunflower...” I raise a brow, and she giggles.

“Always...”

“Forever.”

---