by SJ McCoy
Grace smiled up at him. “How about we agree that we both saved each other?”
He nodded. “I believe we did.”
Grace leaned her head against his shoulder. That feeling of warmth washed through her. She’d spent her whole life longing for a place to belong, and now she knew she’d finally found it, here, by his side;
Epilogue
A few months later
Montana was so beautiful. Oscar had brought Grace up here every weekend they could spare, and she loved it. The mountains and the wide-open spaces were so different from the city where she’d spent her whole life so far, and there was no denying that the lifestyle was entirely different from what she’d lived so far. She smiled. She’d adapted quickly and easily to it; if she was honest, this life suited her, and she hoped it would be a big part of their future.
She stood on the deck of Oscar’s house and looked down at the yard by the river. Dozens of people were milling around. It was Johnny’s birthday, and Oscar and his brothers had wanted to throw a party for their dad.
Grace smiled as she spotted Terry sitting beside Oscar’s uncle, Seymour Davenport. The two of them were deep in conversation about something. She shook her head. Terry hadn’t been so sure about coming, but TJ had talked him into it, and she was glad. Like her, he’d always wanted to see Yellowstone, and TJ was going to take him and Spider and Louise down there tomorrow. It was strange for her to see her friends in this setting—strange, but good. Her two worlds were very different, but they were merging into one more easily than she would have imagined. Terry, the guy who’d lived on the streets for years, was lost in conversation with Seymour Davenport, a man who Grace had only previously known as a billionaire mentioned on the news occasionally. Spider was talking to Chance, Hope Davenport’s husband, who looked a lot more at home up here in the mountains dressed in butt-hugging Wranglers and a cowboy hat than he had the last time Grace had seen him, in a suit at Six.
She scanned the crowd and chuckled when she spotted Louise. TJ had been fending her off ever since that night she’d invited herself into the limo. It looked like his struggle was over; for now, at least. She’d transferred her attention to the third brother, Reid. Grace wasn’t sure what to make of him. He was quiet, and from what Oscar had told her, somewhat reclusive, but when they’d been introduced, he’d given Grace a warm smile and had a friendly air about him. She was looking forward to getting to know him.
“How are you doing, Grace?”
She turned to smile at Jean who’d come to lean on the deck rail beside her.
“I’m great, thanks. How about you?”
“I couldn’t be happier. My husband is loving his birthday and having so many friends here—old and new. I have my three boys home for the first time in I don’t know how many years, all thanks to my almost daughter.”
A lump formed in Grace’s throat. She’d grown to love Jean and Johnny. They were good people, and they’d welcomed her into their family in a way she’d been searching for all her life. She sniffed. “Oscar did all the organizing.”
Jean put a hand on her arm. “Maybe, but only because of you. You’ve made him understand just how important family is. In wanting to share it with you, he’s come to appreciate the value of a loving family, and now he’s drawing ours back together. We’ve always been close, but we were drifting. None of us made the effort to get together. That’s changing, and it makes me so happy.”
Grace nodded. It made her happy, too. She smiled as Johnny came to join them and slid his arm around his wife’s waist. Grace loved seeing them kiss and the way Jean rested her head against his shoulder—just like she did with Oscar.
“This is a great party; thank you, ladies.”
Grace smiled at him. It was hard to believe that this man, this renowned, very wealthy doctor was thanking her for a party. She caught herself thinking it and stopped. She should believe it. She did believe it. He wasn’t just some fancy doctor. He was Oscar’s dad, and he was a wonderful human being whom she was happy to know.
“Something wrong?” asked Johnny.
She shook her head. “No. Everything’s right. I’m glad you love your party, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
“Were you judging us again?” asked Jean with a knowing smile.
Grace nodded. Jean had been helping her work on that. Oscar had been right. His parents didn’t judge people by their circumstances, but by their character. She was trying to learn to do the same.
Johnny smiled at her. “You’re going to have to stop doing that when—”
Jean dug him in the ribs. He looked mortified and then they both smiled.
What was that about? She didn’t get chance to find out as Oscar came to join them. He gave his parents a look she didn’t understand. She got the impression they were hiding something, but she didn’t know what. She looked around. Maybe she’d messed something up, and they were being polite about not telling her. Everything seemed okay. There was plenty of food and drink, and people were enjoying themselves. Though, on second thoughts, it seemed people were no longer talking and milling around. In fact, most of them were looking up at the deck where she was standing.
She turned to look at Oscar. There was something going on. He brought his hand up to his face, but his thumb couldn’t hide the smirk underneath it.
She raised an eyebrow. “What I am missing?”
He grinned. “I’m not sure I’m ready to tell you yet.”
She turned to his parents. They obviously knew something. They smiled at her. Jean looked as though she was fit to burst. Most conversations had stopped. She saw Hope smiling at her encouragingly. Then she spotted TJ and Chance carrying Terry and his wheelchair up the steps to join them. Louise was standing close to Reid, her arm linked through his while he looked slightly uncomfortable.
Grace pursed her lips and turned back to Oscar. “What’s going on?”
He looked over at Terry and Spider who both nodded before turning back to her. “Okay, now I’m ready to tell you.”
Grace’s hand flew up to cover her mouth as he went down on one knee before her. “Grace Evans, I told you when I met you that you are one unusual lady, and I was right. You’re special. I love you, I love everything about you. I love what you do for the people in your life, and most of all I love what you’ve done for me. I love who you are, and I love who I’ve become through knowing you. We’re building a great life together, but I want more. I want to know that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. Grace, will you marry me?”
Her heart was pounding in her ears as he held up a ring. It was the biggest diamond she’d ever seen. She looked at it and then looked into his eyes and he winked; the arrogant prick actually winked. “I’ll get you a smaller one if you insist.”
She laughed. She had to. That was Oscar. That was the man she loved, and for better or worse, she knew she’d love him for the rest of her life. “Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, I will marry you.”
He slid the ring onto her finger and got to his feet. He closed his arms around her, and she buried her face in his chest. That warm feeling, the intimacy they shared, the happiness in her heart filled her up and overflowed. It came out as tears—happy tears—and they flowed down her face as he lifted her chin and she kissed him. She had to be the happiest woman alive.
She got lost in a sea of hugs and well-wishes. His parents, his brothers, Hope, even his uncle, they all hugged her and welcomed her to the family—she was a part of a family! And she loved it. Louise bounced around her and demanded to be maid of honor. Spider wrapped her in a very rare hug. He didn’t have many words, but the two of them didn’t really need words. He was so happy for her, and she knew it. Terry held his arms up to her, and she sat down in his lap and for a moment they just stared at each other, each with tears streaming down past big smiles.
Oscar patted Terry on his back as Grace got up, and to her surprise, he squatted down beside Terry’s chair and hugged him.
“Thank you.”
A fresh wave of tears came as she watched the two men embrace. She knew Oscar would always be grateful to him.
Jean and Louise were going around making sure everyone had a drink for a toast. Louise’s tray was almost empty by the time she reached Terry. “Do you want something?” she asked. “I’ve got lemonade or…”
Terry laughed and tugged Grace’s hand. “I don’t want no lemonade. Me and Gracie, we’re holding out for champagne and strawberries, right?”
Grace laughed with him. “Yes, we are, Terry. We certainly are.”
Oscar gave her a puzzled look. He passed her and Terry a glass of champagne each. “There are strawberries inside. I can go get you some if that’s what you want.”
She shook her head and hugged him tightly. “You’ve already given me everything I could want and more.”
He smiled down at her and dropped a kiss on the end of her nose. “We’re only just getting started Mrs. Davenport.”
As the tears filled her eyes again, she knew it was true. This was just the beginning, and she couldn’t wait to live the rest of her life with him;
A Note from SJ
I hope you enjoyed getting to know the Davenports. Please let your friends know about the books if you feel they would enjoy them as well. It would be wonderful if you would leave me a review; I'd very much appreciate it.
There are so many more stories still to tell. The next book I’m working on is Mary Ellen and Antonio’s story which will be out soon. TJ is in a hurry too and I plan to write his book, Marco the final Hamiltons story, and then the third Davenport brother, Reid, just as fast as my little fingers can type. Plus, there are more stories set at the Lake; the pilots want a Summer Lake Flyers series. And there is a bunch of cowboys who are all getting impatient for me to return to Montana. My plan at the moment is to finish with the Davenports and Hamiltons and then get to the next three series—Summer Lake Flyers, the new cowboys, who haven’t told me what their series is called yet, and the country singers in Nashville, beginning with Autumn and Matt. The older couples are growing impatient and I’ve still yet to figure out whether they’ll end up as a series or as novellas when they get too impatient to wait any longer. The short version is that there are still a lot of stories to come.
In the meantime, be sure to check out my Remington Ranch series, if you haven’t already. You can get started with book one, Mason, which you can download for FREE here.
If you’d like to keep in touch, there are a few options to keep up with me and my imaginary friends:
The best way is to Sign up for my Newsletter. Don't worry I won't bombard you! I'll let you know about upcoming releases, share a sneak peek or two and keep you in the loop for a couple of fun giveaways I have coming up :0)
You can join my readers group to chat about the books on Facebook or just browse and like my Facebook Page.
I occasionally attempt to say something in 140 characters or less(!) on Twitter.
And I’m always in the process of updating my website at www.SJMcCoy.com with new book updates and even some videos. Plus, you’ll find the latest news on new releases and giveaways in my blog.
I love to hear from readers, so feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’m better at that! :0)
I hope our paths will cross again soon. Until then, take care, and thanks for your support—you are the reason I write!
Love,
SJ
PS – Project Semicolon
You may have noticed that the final sentence of the story closed with a semicolon. It isn’t a typo. Project Semicolon is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love, and inspire. It’s a movement I support with all my heart.
"A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. The sentence is your life and the author is you." - Project Semicolon
This author started writing after her son was killed in a car crash. At the time, I wanted my own story to be over. Instead I chose to honour a promise to my son to write my ‘silly stories’ someday. I chose to escape into my fictional world. I know for many who struggle with depression, suicide can appear to be the only escape. The semicolon has become a symbol of support, and hopefully a reminder – Your story isn’t over yet
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Also by SJ McCoy
The Davenports
Oscar
Coming next
TJ
The Hamiltons
Cameron and Piper in Red Wine and Roses
Chelsea and Grant in Champagne and Daisies
Coming next
Mary Ellen and Antonio
Summer Lake Series
Emma and Jack in Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt FREE!
Holly and Pete in Work Like You Don't Need the Money
Missy and Dan in Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Smoke and Laura in Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded
Michael and Megan in Laugh Like You’ve Never Cried
Kenzie and Chase in Sing Like Nobody’s Listening
Gabe and Renée in Smile Like You Mean It
Missy and Dan’s wedding in The Wedding Dance
Ben and Charlotte’s backstory in Chasing Tomorrow
April and Eddie in Dream Like Nothing’s Impossible
Nate and Lily in Ride Like You’ve Never Fallen
Ben’s story Live Like There’s No Tomorrow
Smoke and Laura’s wedding in The Wedding Flight
Remington Ranch Series
Mason FREE!
Shane
Carter
Beau
Four Weddings and a Vendetta
Chance
Chance is a guy with a whole lot of story to tell. He’s part of the fabric of both Summer Lake and Remington Ranch. He needed three whole books to tell his own story.
Book 1: Chance Encounter
Book 2: Finding Hope
Book 3: Give Hope a Chance
Check out his page here to learn more.