Page 106 of Crashing the Altar
Those on the outside looking in might think it’s crazy that I married the first boy—the only boy—I ever loved, and that I wanted to spend the rest of my days living on the same piece of land I grew up on. They might argue that I hadn’t experienced enough of the world to realize that the horizon stretched on forever and the possibilities were endless.
But why would I go searching for more when everything I ever wanted was right here in front of me?
Sullivan Ranch, nestled on the outskirts of Rust Canyon, Oklahoma, would hold a lifetime of memories for me, for my husband, and for our children. As far as I was concerned, that made it the most special place on earth.
Epilogue
Penny
Seven Months Later
Throughthelensofmy phone’s camera, I smiled to myself as I snapped a few pictures. “Look at my three favorite boys.”
Tripp was seated atop Echo, with our four-month-old son, Cash, on his lap. It was our baby boy’s first ride on horseback with his daddy, and watching as he smiled so wide it pulled a dimple on his chubby cheek melted my heart.
This memory deserved to be printed and hung on the walls of our new house once it was completed. It was one of many our little family had created on the ranch we called home, and if it were up to me, I’d frame them all.
A high-pitched squeal brought me back to the present, and I looked up from my phone to find Echo standing only a few feet away.
“Come grab your boy, Mama.” Tripp lifted Cash from the saddle so I could pull him intomy arms.
Cash made grabby hands when I got close enough, his gummy smile taking up his whole face. He made the cutest little country baby in his denim overalls paired with a white onesie underneath. All that was missing were a miniature cowboy hat and baby cowboy boots, but I had a feeling if his grandmas had anything to say about it, he’d be outfitted with those before the year was through.
Our extended family had made the transition to parenthood an absolute breeze. Sure, there was the exhaustion that came with sleepless nights, but the first time Daisy spied dark circles under my eyes, she declared she was keeping Cash overnight. She insisted that taking a moment to recharge our batteries would ensure we were the best possible versions of ourselves for our baby. Then, once my mom caught wind of it, she felt left out and wanted a turn having a sleepover with her favorite—might I add, only—grandson.
It made the decision to go back to work that much easier, knowing the best two grandmas around were loving on our boy. Plus, there was the added perk of having him on the property so I could pop in to feed and snuggle him throughout the day.
Living and working on the ranch truly was the best of both worlds. I was doing what I loved, surrounded by the people I loved.
Tripp handed Cash down, and the minute he was in my arms, my sweet boy grabbed two fistfuls of my hair. Tucking him tight to my chest, I nuzzled my cheek against the platinum-blond fuzz at the top of his head and breathed in his scent.
A calm settled over my soul when a strong arm looped around my waist and lips brushed over my temple.
“Doesn’t get any better than this,” Tripp mused, and I craned my neck to find him staring down at where Cash had buried his face in my neck.
“It really doesn’t,” I agreed.
The way the three of us fit together—like slipping into a pair of well-worn boots—made it hard to believe how we’d existed before our duo became a trio. Our love for each other had transformed into something new, something stronger, when our baby burst into this world, screaming his tiny little head off. Our lives had taken on a new purpose, and watching my best friend become a father—something I always knew he’d be incredible at—was a gift I would cherish until my dying day.
Over the sounds of the party set before us, a voice called out, “You two done hoggin’ that baby yet? I’m not getting any younger over here.”
My lips folded inward in my attempt to hide a smile.
When we’d told Tripp’s meemaw we were expecting, she had looked us dead in the eye and dressed us down for making her wait so long. Told us we were a couple of damn fools for not seeing what was right in front of our faces.
She wasn’t wrong.
We’d wasted a lot of years, both of us terrified of ruining our relationship if we ever admitted our feelings, though, in the end, there had been nothing to be afraid of.
Looking back on it now, I wasn’t sure I’d do any of it differently. If I had, we wouldn’t have Cash; we’d have some other baby. And there wasn’t a world in which I’d wish away my baby boy. He and his daddy were my reason for living.
I had to believe everything worked out exactly as it was always meant to.
Tripp gave my hip a squeeze, teasing, “Yeah, Penny, stop hoarding all the baby cuddles.”
With a playful glare shot over my shoulder, I pulled out of my husband’s hold and moved toward where his grandmother was seated in a chair beneath an umbrella to protect her from the summer sun.
Betsy Sullivan’s arms were outstretched, desperate to get her hands on my son.
