"I love you, Sarah Jarrett."
"And I love you, Case Jarrett."
Case drew from her lips, kissing her until she thought she'd die from want. His fingers worked the tiny pearl buttons on her flowery dress. "One important thing I've learned at Camp. Take advantage of baby's sleep time. What's our little girl doing?"
"Sleeping at Bobbi Sue's," Sarah responded with eager anticipation.
A sexy smile lifted the corners of Case's very kissable mouth. He covered her body with his, ready to make love to her, ready to claim her as his, ready to sear their hearts as one. "I was hoping you'd say that, sweetheart."
Epilogue
Sarah bent to lay flowers on Reid's grave. The bunched wildflowers rested on the headstone without disturbance. Not a flutter or sound disrupted the quiet solitude of the hillside. Case stood at a distance dressed in his dark suit and black string tie, looking every bit the new groom, holding a wiggling Christiana in his strong arms. And Sarah knew the exact moment her husband came up to stand beside her. She sensed his presence, the power and strength in him before his hand came to caress her shoulder.
"You know, I think Reid is okay with this," he said softly.
Sarah drew in a breath slowly, nodding, certain Case was right in his thinking. With head bent and voice somber, Case spoke quietly toward the grave, "Nobody will love them more. I'll take care of them until I draw my last breath."
Tears stung Sarah's eyes and she folded herself into her husband's embrace. Out of the quiet, cottonwood leaves rustled, glinting in the sunlight, without benefit of a breeze.
Sarah peered up at the solid ancient tree and smiled. "Yes, I think Reid is really okay with this."
*****
The Heart of a Cowboy Page 16