Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Ryker

A Year And A Half Later…

G racie grips my hand under the table as her category is presented. I'm more nervous than she is. My heart is thundering in my chest.

I can't believe my baby is up for a Pulitzer Prize.

After we had dealt with Hector Contreras and fled back to the hotel, Gracie wasn't ready to leave El Nicanduras. We returned to the jungle village and stayed there for three weeks, interviewing the locals with the help of a translator and my brilliant girl put together all the pieces of the puzzle, breaking down the complete structure and operation of Los Lobos de la Muerte. She figured out the smuggling network that led all the way to the United States and discovered several political figures who were in on the criminal operation.

Her old boss Walter had fired her when she refused to return to New York, but she knew this was a juicy story and refused to let it go. She stayed at my place in Montana and spent several weeks writing the story while I impatiently waited for her to take breaks so I could ravage her on every surface of my house.

She sold her story to Time Magazine and it made the cover. It was such a big story that it took down eight corrupt politicians and dozens of criminal collaborators all over the US. She had her choice of jobs, but my girl refused them all. She found her passion which was working independently to uncover big complex stories.

I would have followed my girl anywhere on the planet, but I'm glad she chose to stay on my ranch in Montana. It's been the best year and a half of my life.

Four months ago, we had an adorable baby girl we named Kate and she's changed our lives for the better. She has my soft brown eyes and her mother's tenacious personality. I never thought I could love anyone as much as Gracie, but my Kate is really putting that to the test. Sometimes I feel like my heart is so full it's going to explode.

"The award for international reporting," the announcer says behind the podium, "goes to a bold, adventurous journalist who changed a country for the better through her daring, fearless work. Through journalism, our winner took down a violent criminal organization, freed an enslaved village, and paved the way for manufacturers to open in the area, which now provides the locals with a better way of life, including the building of new schools and a hospital. For her wonderful international reporting in El Nicanduras, the Pulitzer Prize goes to Gracie Windward."

I stand up and holler, clapping louder than anyone else as my girl heads to the podium. Tears of pride fill my eyes as I watch her claim her prize.

I'm so proud of her. It's no surprise that she won. Of course she did, she's the most amazing woman on the planet.

Every time I look at her, I still can't believe she's mine.

"Thank you for selecting me," she says as she takes the certificate and stands at the podium with a smile. There's a room full of people, but she keeps looking at me.

"I just did the easy part," she says into the mic. "I reported on what I saw. The real heroes of this story are the brave people of El Nicanduras and I dedicate this award to them."

People clap, but no one as loud as me.

"And I would like to thank one more person," she says with a smile. "I couldn't have done it without my bodyguard and cameraman, Ryker Dawson. He was my rock out there and he's become so much more. I love you, baby."

She blows me a kiss and then hurries off the stage. I'm waiting for her with open arms. Everyone lets out a collective awww as I wrap my arms around her, spin her around, and then give her a loving kiss.

"How long until this thing is over and I can get you back to our hotel room?" I whisper in her ear.

She grins with her cheeks reddening. "Too long," she whispers back.

I sigh as I sit down at our table, counting the seconds until I can devour my delicious beauty one more time.