“So, I’m going to make this as brief as possible. Nick, are you not going to be a dick? Do you promise to love Maris the rest of her life, to be faithful, and to support your beautiful wife in all her endeavors?”
“I do.” My voice rings out across the Smiths’ backyard.
“Maris, do you promise not to throw beer at Nick unless he deserves it? Do you promise to love him despite his faults—which we know are many? To be faithful and to support your husband in all his endeavors?”
Before Maris can answer, I interrupt. “Wait? I’m not beautiful?”
One of the Lis’ daughters yells, “I think so!”
After the laughter dies down, Maris beams up at me. “I do.” Then she stretches up and lays her lips upon mine to seal the vow with a kiss.
Everything about this ceremony is completely insane, and it fits us perfectly. It’s as if her brother is here. “I know you do, Sunshine. I do too. Are you okay?”
“I’m better than okay. Can you believe he managed to—”
“No. I expected us to bring him here—”
“All of us bring a piece of him with us when were together, Nick.”
“Ahem.” Oops. We both turn toward Brad. “Do you both mind if I finish?”
“Nope. Go for it, buddy.”
“By the power vested in me three days ago, by the great state of Alaska, I now pronounce you married—though let’s be serious. I’m not doing anything more than officiating a formality. Congratulations, friends! I’d like to be the first to introduce Mrs. Maris Smith-Cain and Mr. Nicholas Cain. Nick, you may officially kiss your wife.”
And as my lips touch Maris’s for the first time as her husband, I hear murmured oohs and aahs about an eagle soaring overhead. In the back of my mind as I draw Maris into a deeper kiss, I think, Nice touch, Jed.
We wish you were here.
Epilogue
Maris - Eight Years Later
“I regret only that I haven’t managed to bring everyone together one time so they can understand what I know in my heart. Love binds us all. It always will. In life and beyond.” - From the journals of Jedidiah Smith.
“One more,” Nick cajoles.
“What do you mean you want to adopt another baby, Nick? We already have three children.”
“And we have plenty of room. Your parents saw to that.” His arms slip around me. Damn him, the silver streaking his temples now that he’s close to fifty only makes him look more gorgeous.
“Maybe in a tent outside.” But I feel myself weakening as his lips make their way to that place right under my jaw. “Besides, you’re not the one who folds all their laundry.” I half growl, half moan.
“Neither do you. You just throw all the clothes into a different hamper and tell the kids to pull out whatever they want to wear.” His retort is distracted as he presses me against the refrigerator with his hips. But we’re stopped from going further as the back door slams open.
“Mommy, Daddy! Joanie just spotted her first eagle all on her own!” Kassidy—the little girl whose picture I couldn’t look at that first day the social worker came over and our oldest daughter—screeches in excitement. Her biological sister trails behind her. Born two years later, we didn’t care little Miss Joan Violet Smith Cain was born with some medical issues. She was ours as much as her sister was. And we both cried when the first word out of her mouth was “Dada” in contrast to Kassidy calling me “Mama” first.
Then, on a trip to Albuquerque, Nick took the fall before I did. Literally.
We were there to visit the center over winter break. Ollie, Reece, Tatum, and the kids were due any moment when Nick tripped over this tiny body that was huddled near the doorway. He’d been abandoned there sometime during the night. The tiny boy was terrified at the noise of the sirens, the men and women wandering around, the floodlights. But the one thing he wasn’t afraid of was Nick.
Nick, who stormed forward and lifted the tow-haired boy into his arms after draping his own sweatshirt over his arms and head. Nick, who hissed instead of bellowed before moving the child inside to his office. Nick, who ordered Charmaine to get the boy clothes, the guys to get him some mats to rest on, and me to figure out if he could have food and water.
By the time Children’s Services arrived, the boy was sitting on Nick’s lap listening to Kassidy read a book. I’d already woken up our own social worker to ask what it would take to bring this boy home to Alaska when we came home in a few weeks.
Quite a lot. But as Nick told me later that night when we were separated from the little boy who would eventually become our “little Jed” after many failed attempts to reunite him with blood family—none of whom gave a damn about him other than lifting a little money from the state of New Mexico—he sensed the fighter in our little man. “And he’ll be with us when the time’s right. One way or another.”
It took close to a year, but I’m still grateful to hear Jed’s irritated “Can you keep it down? I’m trying to play Fortnite?” We might not have him at all.
And now, “You want to see about having another baby?”
He shakes his head. “You’re assuming it’s another baby.”
“Fine. Another child.”
“Sunshine…” Nick starts, but the doorbell rings, and he lets me go. “I’ll get it.”
A tingle begins at the base of my neck as Nick jogs down the steps that lead to the front door. I hear the murmuring of voices. Kassidy asks me something. I tuck my now shoulder-length hair behind my ear as I bend down. “What was that, sweetheart?”
“I asked what David’s car was doing here?” She points out the window.
I straighten and turn around until I meet the light brown eyes of the boy I wanted to adopt nine years ago as he follows Nick up the stairs. We’d always remained close, just as I remained close with Sarah and Hung as they helped guide me and Nick through that final day where Kassidy first came home. But there was always something special between me and David.
And now he’s standing here, a full-grown adult. And I couldn’t be prouder of the young man he’s become than if I had raised him. “Hey, stranger.” I walk in his direction with my arms outstretched.
“Hi, Maris.” He gives me a hug. “Can we talk?”
I dart a glance at Nick, who just smiles but shakes his head. Confused, I tell David, “Sure. Let’s head out back.”
The two of us head out the door Kassidy and Joanie raced through so we can sit by the fire pit. Neither of us say a word until we’re situated. “How are things at home? It must be strange now that everyone is packing up and leaving.”
David straightens his broad—God, when did they become so broad?—shoulders. “That’s what I wanted to talk with you about. I have a question for you, and I need an honest answer.”
“Oh-okay?”
“Did you want to adopt me all those years ago? Right after we first met?” His voice, his eyes, demand my honesty. Not that I wouldn’t give it to him, but I might have tried to check with Sarah first to find out why after so long this is suddenly coming up?
And what on earth does this have to do with the question my husband asked me?
“Yes.” The confession flows out of me along with a sigh.
“What happened?” There’s a tic in his jaw.
“The social worker evaluated your home and said you were better off where you were…” My voice trails off when David stands. Picking up a rock, he hurls it as far as he can.
“David!” My voice holds my shock as I surge to my feet.
“Did you know I used to pray you were there to pick one of us to be your child? That I begged God that it would be me? That you would be my mom?”
Even as I absorb the blows that this young man wanted to be mine as much as I wanted to be his, I whisper, “How did you find out?”
“I overheard Luna and Karen talking with Mom while they were packing for school. None of them knew I was there.”
“You eavesdropped,” I scold him slightly.
; “Damnit, Maris. I was supposed to be yours! They stopped it.”
I’m about to snap at him for cursing when his words penetrate. “What do you mean…they stopped it?” A fissure in my heart I’d long closed with Nick’s love and the love of my own children begins to open and weep again.
“Sarah confessed to the girls she suspected you and I were becoming too attached. But you see, they couldn’t allow me to leave. Hung was ill.”
“I remember.” My voice is faint. Hung battled and won a small bout with cancer right after I came back from Kara’s daughter’s birth.
“And since he couldn’t work, they needed the money from the state for me. They couldn’t let me go.” He blinks and big tears roll down his cheeks. “They denied me my mother.”
“No, kid. They didn’t. She’s been waiting for you.” Nick. God. I stagger back, but it’s his strong arms that catch me. I rest my head back against his chest at the overwhelming love he has for me, that Nick’s always had for me. And it all started right here in this backyard.
Isn’t it amazing this is where our family’s finally going to be complete?
“I’m no good to anyone.” David’s words jolt me into action.
“Don’t you ever let your brother or sisters hear you talk like that David Cain,” I snap, wagging my finger at him.
David rears back, eyes wide. “What did you just call me?”
“David. Cain. It will become your name. Get used to it. Now, everyone in this house who can do them has chores.” David physically braces against the chair he was sitting in.
Nick snickers. “Here it comes.”
“Yours is folding laundry,” I inform him loftily.
“Oh, that’s fine. I like doing that. I hate when my clothes are messy.”
I whirl around to Nick. “And now, our family is complete.”
Nick yanks me back against him. “Told you we needed one more kid.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Nick pulls out his phone and takes a picture of his watch. “What on earth are you doing?” I demand.
“Marking the date and time. I need proof of when you actually said those words so I can tell the guys.”
I can feel my face turn red as my temper begins to boil. While love is the foundation of our marriage, Nick and I have creative ways of letting loose our tempers including a good fight in the ring. Just as I’m about to curse at Nick like I haven’t in years, he yanks me into his arms and kisses me.
In the background I can hear the back door slam. Kassidy and Joanie come bounding down the stairs. There’s hazy murmuring before David laughs. There’s a loud scream before, “I unlocked the Golden Skin! But wait? Why don’t his pickaxe and glider turn golden too? Ugh!”
I’ll figure out what that means once my children’s father stops kissing me. I tighten my arms, and Nick murmurs his approval.
While we settle our discussion in the best way possible while the kids are awake, the gold cross I now wear on a delicate gold chain absorbs the Alaskan summer heat—as I’m sure does the heavy gold chain Nick’s never without. We never take off that piece of my brother that brought us together in the first place, that piece of him that forced us to get over our own pasts and open our arms to the other. Which is exactly where we need to be.
When our kiss ends, I whisper against his lips, “Why don’t we take the kids to Eagle Beach? All of them?”
“Then to the Brewhouse for dinner? David needs to get his eye on one of the family businesses. We can always head to the lower 48 during the munchkins’ school break.”
My lips curve as I lean into Nick as we make our way to the stairs that lead to the back deck. “I wonder if Brad and Rainey are free for dinner. They haven’t had a good shock from us in a while.” Not since last month when Jed asked their daughter to the school dance when she was home from college.
Nick deadpans, “I know. We’ve become normal.”
“God forbid.” Then, “I don’t suppose you know the process on how we go about adopting an eighteen-year-old anyway.”
“Not a clue. We’ll figure it out together after we return from a day by the sea.”
Together. I love that word.
So would my brother.
The End
Also by Tracey Jerald
Amaryllis Series
Free - An amaryllis Prequel
(Newsletter Subscribers only)
Free to Dream
Free to Run
Free to Rejoice
Free to Breathe
Free to Believe
Free to Live
Free to Dance (Coming Spring 2021)
Glacier Adventure Series
Return by Air
Return by Land
Return by Sea
Sandalones
Close Match
Ripple Effect
1, 001 Dark Night Short Story Winner
Free to Wish: An Amaryllis Series Short Story - 1,001 Dark Nights Short Story Anthology
Lady Boss Press Releases
Easy Reunion
Challenged by You
Acknowledgments
The Glacier Adventure Series was inspired by the day I had the pleasure of attending the Great Alaskan Lumberjack show in Ketchikan, Alaska. Whether it was the athletes and performers, or the amazing people I was with, it was an afternoon I will never forget.
To my shipmates, not just those who saw the Lumberjack Show, but the authors and readers who sailed with us throughout the Alaskan journey, you have a special place in my heart. Always. Forever.
Of course, by my side on that trip was my husband, Nate. My beloved, I’m still not certain if I’m saying thank you for hauling my luggage to and from Alaska or calmly accepting the giddy pleasure with which I took hundreds of photos of the “Jacks.” Never doubt how much I love you.
To my son and my mother for keeping the home fires burning. You are both loved more than I can put into words. As amazing as Alaska was, there’s no place as perfect as home.
Jen, you were never far from my mind that trip as you well know. And you know you’re always in my heart, my sister.
To my Meows, bring out the map! It’s been too long and there’s places to go. I love and miss all of you so much.
To Sandra Depukat, from One Love Editing, for popcorn edits and encouragement. For loving the Jacks as much as I do. For being you.
To Holly Malgieri, from Holly’s Red Hot Reviews, a.k.a. my twin, you make everything shine. Thank you for adding some of that to me.
To Deborah Bradseth, Tugboat Designs. Thank you for taking my garbled emails and translating them into something beautiful. You are wonderful!
To photographer Wander Aguiar, Andrey Bahia, and model Thiago Lusardi, thank you for your grace and for your brilliance.
To Gel, at Tempting Illustrations, picture magic! Every single time. XOXO
To the fantastic team at Foreword PR, thank you for taking away the rough waters and making the day-to-day so much calmer. I appreciate everything you do.
Linda Russell, frantic texts from 3,442 miles away started this series journey. Looking back, all I have to say is thank God I have a large data plan! You are my anchor in this perpetual storm. Love you.
To Susan Henn, Amy Rhodes, and Dawn Hurst, you are all a dream to me. And to Nathathida Atirekasâra for swooping in with a quick save! XOXO
For the members of Tracey’s Tribe, I appreciate you every single day!
Finally, for all of the readers and bloggers who take the time to enjoy my books, thank you. Every day, I find myself humbled by your support.
About the Author
Tracey Jerald knew she was meant to be a writer when she would re-write the ending of books in her head when she was a young girl growing up in southern Connecticut. It wasn’t long before she was typing alternate endings and extended epilogues “just for fun”.
After college in Florida, where she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice, Tracey traded the world of law and order for IT. Her
work for a world-wide internet startup transferred her to Northern Virginia where she met her husband in what many call their own happily ever after. They have one son.
When she’s not busy with her family or writing, Tracey can be found in her home in north Florida drinking coffee, reading, training for a runDisney event, or feeding her addiction to HGTV.
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