Epilogue

Randy

Years Later

“Five hundred more heads of steer are what we’re going to need to cover the trajectory.” I hand Wes a spreadsheet showing the data points I’d been mulling over. 

He scans the paper. “I don’t know. Five hundred seems a bit excessive.”

“Have you seen the number of new sign-ups?” 

He tilts his head to the side. “Yeah, but you know nearly half drop off after the third month when the sale ends.”

“Even taking that into account, five hundred is still the number I come up with every time I do the crunching.”

Wes sighs, pushing the paper back across the desk. “I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to justify these numbers with Greyson.”

“Greyson?” My brow pinches in confusion. “Since when has he ever cared to involve himself in this side of the business?”

“It’s just how it has to be. I recommend putting together a better presentation.”

My jaw drops, because never in the time I’ve been working with the Prospers has my judgment been questioned. 

“Fine, tell him I’ll see him tomorrow.”

“I think the first slot he has available is next week.”

“Next week? We go out two or three times in the evening. I’ll ask him then.”

“He’s beginning to care more about work-life balance, so I suggest you don’t,” Wes deadpans. 

“Fine, whatever.” 

I exit Wes’s office to a chorus of, “Surprise!”

It takes me a moment to realize it’s my birthday, and one of the knuckleheads on the ranch decided to throw me a surprise party. 

A hand slaps down on my back, and I hear Wes giggle behind me. 

“You should have seen the look on your stupid face.”

“Real funny.”

Tess comes over, our newest daughter Juno on her hip, and leans in to give me a hug. “Happy Birthday, baby.”

Frankie, Lisa, Karen, and our other three follow behind her, each giving me bear hugs and kisses.

Greyson brings me a beer. “I hope Wes didn’t scare you too badly.”

“I thought I was cooked.”

“Wes, I told you to stall, not hand him a pink slip.”

“I couldn’t help myself,” he returns. 

“When’s the cake?” Tami huffs. 

“Tami?” Penny scolds. “That’s not polite.”

“Sorry, when is the cake? Please and thank you.”

We all laugh, and in a matter of minutes, tables are assembled and food is laid out. Duke rushes to the main house to get the cake from Javier, who is putting the finishing touches on it. 

Penny takes Juno from Tess and sticks her in a playpen with the other rugrats, to be watched by the more responsible older children. 

“So, you still thinking about another?” Penny asks Tess as we look on at Juno dominating the other children. 

“Actually, we weren’t, but there was a call this morning about a foster child looking for a forever home.” Tess looks over at me, biting her lower lip. 

“Another?” I ask, lifting my brow. 

“If that’s alright with you.”

“The more the merrier, is what I say.” I look back at Frankie, Karen, and Lisa. “Do you think the kids will be up to it?”

“I think with the way Karen and Lisa like to dress Juno up, they’ll be more than fine, especially since it’s another little girl.”

“Geez, me and Frankie are being overrun.”

Tess giggles. “That was the goal.”

We spend the afternoon enjoying family and friends, then head back home to plan for the upcoming addition while Penny takes care of the kids for us. 

“So, where are we going to put her?” I ask Tess as we walk through the home we’ve shared for nearly a decade. 

“I think Frankie should be moved to my original room.”

I pause in my tracks. “Away from the family suite?”

“He’ll be in college soon, and it will be good for him to have that space. And besides, we don’t have to move him right away. The new baby can room with Juno for a bit until you get used to the idea.”

“He’s older now, and I think it’ll be good for him.”

My throat tightens, and my eyes begin to burn. I turn my head. 

“Are you crying?” Tess asks. 

“No!…Maybe a little.”

“Oh, come here, sweetheart!” Tess wraps me in a hug. “Frankie can stay right where he is.”

“No—you’re right. He’s not a teenager anymore. It’s just hard seeing him grow so big and have a life of his own.”

“It’s not easy for me, either.”

“I know. You’ve always been a good momma to him.”

Her hand snakes into mine. “You know, this might be the last time in a while we have the house to ourselves.”

“What are you suggesting?”

She spins around so that she’s standing right in front of me. “You tell me.”

In a flash, I swoop her into my arms, my mouth covering hers, locking her in a passionate kiss neither of us has hope of escaping. 

I bring her to bed, and we join in a way that reaches deep inside of me, touching my soul. Sometimes, it still feels like the first time, because what we have is so powerful, and it’s just as potent as when we first met. 

When we’re finally sated, we hold each other as we recall the many moments in our lives that led up to our happily ever after. 

“I hope you enjoyed your birthday,” Tess sighs as she starts to drift off to sleep.

“It was the best birthday ever.”

“You say that every year.”

“And it’s never not been true.”

The End

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