by Erica Penrod
Epilogue
Abbie
The end of May was hot, and excitement hung in the air along with the strands of lights all along Travis and Nikki’s backyard. Tables with elaborate centerpieces (thanks to Nikki) and chairs dressed in pretty sashes were arranged along the patio and were filled with the people who, like me, loved Halle and wanted to share in this special day. And of course, that meant Landon; this was his day too.
“To the graduates!” Travis raised his glass of strawberry lemonade.
The crowd cheered as the glasses were lifted in the air. “To the graduates!”
Landon wrapped his arm behind Halle and whispered something in her ear. Her cheeks flushed as she leaned her head against his shoulder and smiled. To me, she’s still the same stubborn little girl with big blue eyes who refused to let me brush her hair at least a few times a week. But when I see her with Landon, I remember that she’s grown up into a beautiful person and that she’s in love.
It’s not always easy to watch your daughter be in love, especially so young, but I still remember the way I felt at eighteen. Those feelings were just as deep and as real as they are today. And I don’t know if most people are led by dreams or guided by their loved ones from the other side, but there’s a peace that comes with those experiences and I’m grateful.
I don’t worry about whether Halle is making a mistake or not. I know she and Landon are supposed to be together, just like Caleb and I, Nikki and Travis, and Jess and Laney are. God knows what He’s doing and I trust they’ll be okay, and if there are some bumps along the road, I know they’ve got plenty of angels in their corner.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Caleb sidled beside me and pulled me close. “I can’t believe our baby girl’s graduated high school. Man, we’re getting old.”
“Speak for yourself.” I gave him a playful nudge to the ribs. “I feel like I’m twenty-five.”
“Well, you look it.” He leaned in and kissed me. “And I’m the lucky guy you married.”
“Remember that when I remind you it’s your night for the dishes.”
He kissed me again. “I never forget.”
“So, I guess you’re going to get the architect in the family you’ve always dreamed of.” I smiled. “And Halle gets to play with horses the rest of her life, so I guess it’s a win-win.”
“Yup, but I don’t know who’s happier, me or my dad. I’m thrilled that Landon wants to follow in Travis’s footsteps, but my dad is over the moon about Halle coming back from school to run an equine therapy for kids. He’s already talking about remodeling and expanding the barn facilities.”
I laughed and glanced over at my in-laws. Caleb’s dad did have a permanent grin on his face with his arm draped over his wife’s shoulder. “I overheard your mom say that she wants to help Halle with the accounting end of things, if Halle wants her to.”
“Yeah, it seems about perfect. Your family and my family, right here together. I only wish …”
“I know.” I leaned my head back against his chest and closed my eyes.
“Abbie,” Caleb whispered. His voice alarmed me.
“What?” I turned to him.
“Over there.” He pointed to the far corner of the lawn, beneath the shade of a maple tree.
I glanced in that direction as the air left my body and Caleb held me tighter. There stood Jess and Laney, with an angelic glow cast around them and their arms wrapped around each other. Jess grinned his million-dollar smile and waved. I lifted my hand and remembered Nikki. I turned to find her, but she was on the opposite side of the deck. “Nikki—”
“No.” Caleb stopped me. “Look.”
I saw Nikki lift her head and then do a double take. She saw them too. The sun’s reflection caught in the tears rolling down her cheeks, and I watched as Travis moved to her side, his eyes fixed on his daughter. No one else seemed to notice as the music played and people chatted while they ate.
In that moment, when time and distance were no longer relevant, this was heaven.
Still hungry for contemporary cowboy romances?
Then take a bite out of the Cowboy Reality Romance series where riding bulls and roping steers is easier than falling in love by bestselling author Erica Penrod.
Book 1 Cowboy Reality Romance: Kip
Book 2 Cowboy Reality Romance: Jaxon
Book 3 Cowboy Reality Romance: Tayson
KIP
Cassie Carter, a single mother of three-year-old twin boys, needed a start after her husband died. Working as a nanny in Park City, Utah, for a wealthy family seems like the best place to start. She can keep her children with her, room and board is provided, and there's no chance of falling in love. The the mountains, mansion, and horses are all beautiful but what blows Cassie away is Kip Morgan.
Kip is a horse trainer and reality television star who can send her pulse into a stampede with just one touch. While Cassie works to sort out her feelings and what really happened to her late husband and keep her feelings for Kip at arm's length, her boys become Kip’s biggest fans. Caught in a dangerous web her late husband left behind, Cassie scrambles to protect her family from harm and her heart from Kip. However, Kip holds the key to unlocking the mystery behind her husband’s death . Cassie will have to trust him or risk leaving herself and her boys exposed to the dangers lurking in her past.
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JAXON
Jaxon Davis thought he was doing the right thing creating the television show The Cowboys, in an effort to bring his family ranch out of foreclosure. Seduced by the glamour and the lights, he let the one thing he really valued slip through his fingers. When his barely ex-wife finds out she’s expecting his baby, Jaxon works for a chance at reconciliation and redemption. Can he let go of the fame that sucked him in or will he fall to the temptress once again and lose Janie and their baby forever?
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TAYSON
When Tess took a break from her successful career as a television reporter to help her mother recover from back surgery, the last thing she expected was to run into Tayson Cole. The man broke her heart on New Year’s Eve and the two of them clash like bulls on a regular basis. However, she’s seen the better side of the reality television star and fallen for him which makes keeping her resolution to stay away from the professional bull fighter all that more difficult to keep.
Tess wants the real Tayson and refuses to play the games he uses to keep people away from seeing the guilt eating him up inside. The accident wasn’t Tayson’s fault and yet he continues to blame himself. The threat of losing Tess forever might be the only thing that saves this cowboy’s trampled heart.
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About the Author
Erica spends her time folding laundry for her four children and husband. In between loads she loves to read, move furniture and display junk she’s collected at local thrift and antique stores. Most weekends she’s in the stands as head cheerleader watching her family compete in rodeo. Her favorite place is anywhere her husband is and she’s saddened by the thought of cooking dinner every night for the rest of her life. Erica loves to write, enjoys looking for inspiration in the candy aisle, and then eating her inspiration while typing.
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