Epilogue II

Melissa

“Your glamorous ranching idea is starting to pay off,” I tell Mitch.

It’s been two years since the twins were born. Two years since our lives changed forever and only for the better. To my surprise, the ranch itself joined us on this fantastic voyage. We’re atop our horses, way up on the hill, watching the glamping area from afar. Cosmos neighs delightedly, and Mitch pats him on the neck, while Isabella shudders as I stroke her beautiful white mane.

Below, Colton and Ethan carry our sons on their shoulders, gently introducing them to their horses, Apex and Elias, respectively. Soon, Kyle and Jason will learn how to ride the beautiful mustangs, so it’s good to establish these bonds from an early age. The twins are growing fast, but I am pleased to be able to cherish every single moment, every new discovery and milestone along the way.

“Yeah, we’re getting more and more people coming in for the rancher’s experience,” Mitch muses, smiling as the sun sets in deep shades of pink and red somewhere behind us.

I doubt there’s anything more beautiful than late summers in Nebraska.

Then again, it’ll be winter again soon. We’ll gather around the Christmas tree. Relive the nights that brought us together. A golden wedding band joined my diamond ring in the meantime. I still smile as I remember the wedding. A small affair so we could do it properly, the four of us in the heart of the world itself. It was all we needed.

“Sammy did a fantastic job with the glamping site too,” I say. “It looks fantastic.”

“Darla had a say in it,” Mitch reminds me with a dry chuckle. “Or more than a say in it. Remember the project stage?”

“My God, she wouldn’t let the man sleep without making her amendments to the design,” I laugh. “How could I forget? We were secretly placing bets on how long before they’d file for divorce.”

“But they didn’t.”

“They’re still going strong,” I mumble. “I’m glad, though. They’re quite the pair.”

“Frankly, they deserve each other. He’s the patient one. She’s the blizzard. A match made in heaven.”

We have more staff on the ranch, too. Six ranch hands in total, plus a dozen seasonal workers for spring and fall with their respective harvests. Soon, in maybe a year or two, we’re going to open a winery as well. Colton and Ethan worked hard on those western hills, and the vines have grown tremendously. We’re expecting our first grapes to hang from them in September. Almost there.

But it’s the glamping project that has brought the ranch a surprising new and generous source of revenue. More and more of the city folk have turned to our lands for a reconnection with nature. With each passing year, the ranch yields more potential. With it, the town of Long Pine also grows. We’re getting more tourists in the area, which has opened up new hospitality opportunities. The Cavalier is practically overwhelmed these days.

“There she is,” Colton exclaims from the foot of the hill, pointing up at us.

“Momma!” Kyle calls out.

“Wee!” Jason shouts, waving excitedly from Ethan’s broad shoulders.

“Hey, babies!” I laugh as I wave back at them.

Mitch clicks his teeth, prompting Cosmos to move. “Come on, gotta tell you something,” he says. Isabella joins them before I even issue the command.

“Whoa, tell me what?” I ask.

“Give it a second,” he laughs.

I’ll give it a few more as we ride down the smooth hill, hooves thundering across the ground. The smell of grass and wildflowers fills my lungs, the wind brushing against my face and through my fingers. There’s nothing I love more than this.

“Fellas, it’s time,” Mitch tells his brothers.

“Okay, I’m getting worried now. What is this about?” I frown slightly.

With one hand keeping Kyle on his shoulders, Colton chuckles and takes out an envelope from the back pocket of his jeans. He hands it to me. “This came for you earlier in the morning.”

“What is it?” I ask as I get off my horse and turn the envelope over.

There’s an official stamp from the Michelin Culinary Academy branch of Lincoln, Nebraska. They’re one of the top culinary schools in the Midwest and it’s always been a secret dream of mine to attend. My heart skips a few beats as I look up at Colton, then Ethan, then Mitch while the twins eagerly smile at me. Of course, the boys have no idea what this is about, but I’m pretty sure they picked up on their fathers’ excitement.

“Guys?” I ask again.

“Open it,” Mitch replies with a cool grin.

I tear the envelope open and take out a letter. “Dear Mrs. Avery, it is our pleasure to inform you that…” I lose the rest of my words as I read the whole thing, my heart now performing acrobatic somersaults in my chest. “Oh, wow… What… How? I never applied.”

“We applied for you,” Colton replies. “Back in the spring. Remember that weekend when we had you cooking a six-course meal for a few videos?”

“Yeah... you had a professional crew filming the whole thing,” I mumble. “You said it was for the ranch’s website. For the glamping promos.”

“We had an ulterior motive,” Ethan admits, his lips curling into an innocent smile. “We sent the videos and a few samples of your baked goods to the school in Lincoln.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because you deserve to take your skills to the next level,” Colton says. “Don’t you want that?”

I nod enthusiastically. “Of course I do. I just didn’t expect this. Wow. I don’t know what to say. When do I start?” I pause, the reality check quick to smack me over the head. “Hold on, it’s in Lincoln. What about the boys? The ranch? I’m still your chef, remember? Wait, I don’t know. How’s that going to work?”

“Come here,” Mitch laughs and takes me in his arms. “Relax, babe. We’ve got you. We already worked the details out with Sammy and Darla.”

“The courses last for about a year, but they’re segmented in two semesters. And structured accordingly,” Colton says. “We rented a nice house in Lincoln, starting in mid-September. Mitch will go there with you and the boys, and Ethan and I will join you as often as we can. We’ll switch places depending on our work with the ranch, too, but Sammy and the crew have most of it handled.”

“And the vineyard?” I ask.

“That, too. We’ll have the seasonal workers, remember?” Colton replies.

“What about the kitchen?”

“Already taken care of,” Ethan interjects. “Marty’s daughter and his cousin will handle the cooking for the whole year. All you have to do is go to school and get your degree.”

I keep staring at the letter, stunned and beyond exhilarated. I’d almost given up on this idea. With the boys and the ranch constantly evolving, I was already busy and stimulated enough. Deep down, I did feel a little sad about it because cooking still is and will always be my first love.

“I can’t believe this,” I say, tears of joy tickling my eyes. “You did this for me?”

“I really want to open a new restaurant in Long Pine,” Mitch says. “I’m not going to do it without you by my side. And you really want to get your Michelin degree. It felt logical. Two birds, one stone. We’re going to rule over Long Pine, honey. There’s nothing left standing in our way.”

“So, what do you say?” Colton asks me.

I look at the letter again, then plant a sweet kiss on each of their lips. I take a deep breath and smile. “Let’s do this, then. Let’s build something amazing together. We’ve made it this far, haven’t we?”

“You’re damn right,” Colton exclaims.

“Dam’ light!” Kyle mimics his father.

Mitch scoffs. “Setting a great example, as usual.”

“Shut up,” Colton chuckles.

“Shut up!” Jason also rushes to imitate him, prompting a hearty laugh out of Ethan.

“Alright, then, we’re doing this,” Mitch says, lovingly hugging me. “I can’t wait to see what you do with what they teach you over there, Mrs. Avery.”

“And I can’t wait to knock your socks off with the menu for your future new restaurant in Long Pine, Mr. Teller-Avery,” I reply, eagerly softening in his embrace.

Our boys cheer and giggle. Their fathers rush to join Mitch, and so I’m once again wrapped in strong arms, kept warm and happy by the purest, most powerful kind of love. Come September, a new chapter begins. One I didn’t expect, but one I fully welcome.

And to think I came here with a hint of shackles on my wrists and ankles.

But I found the truest, purest freedom.

I hope you loved Christmas with Three Cowboys.

If so, then you’ll absolutely love A Very Daddy Christmas , Single Mom’s Christmas and Christmas with my Best Friend’s Brothers and Three Daddies Under the Mistletoe .

Here is what readers had to say about a Christmas with my Best Friend’s Brothers:

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"Overall, this is an emotional and romantic read with the added benefit of the magic of Christmas as well as steamy hot ménage encounters that lead this foursome to a loving forever." Goodreads Review