Epilogue

Abbie Carter sat at her desk, the sun streaming through the windows of her small but welcoming law office in Jessup Peak. Papers were scattered across her desk, and her laptop screen glowed with an unfinished legal brief.

The soft hum of activity from the street outside filtered in, reminding her of the bustling little community she'd grown to love. She reached for her coffee cup and took a sip, her gaze flickering to the framed photo on her desk—a candid shot of her and Beau on their wedding day, both of them grinning like fools.

The office had been a dream in progress. A year ago, she couldn’t have imagined trading her Manhattan high-rise for this quaint building tucked next to the sheriff’s office. But life had a funny way of surprising you. Now, she spent her days juggling cases that mattered—helping ranchers, small business owners, and families in need. It wasn’t just work; it was a calling. And it didn’t hurt that her husband was only a door away, popping in at least once a day to check in or, as he claimed, keep her out of trouble.

Right on cue, the familiar creak of her office door opened, and there he was. Beau stood in the doorway, his sheriff’s hat tilted slightly back, his eyes glinting with mischief. He filled the frame with his broad shoulders and confident stance, and despite being married for almost a year, Abbie’s heart still skipped a beat whenever she saw him.

“Afternoon, Counselor,” Beau drawled, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. His badge gleamed in the sunlight, and the corner of his mouth quirked up in a grin that made her want to kiss it right off his face. “You busy saving the world, or do you have time for your local law enforcement slash husband?”

She leaned back in her chair, a smile tugging at her lips. “That depends. What’s the sheriff doing on this side of town? I thought you had goats to rescue and wayward cattle to round up.”

He chuckled, crossing the room in a few easy strides until he was leaning against her desk. “I figured the goats could wait. I had more pressing matters to attend to.”

“Oh?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “And what might those be?”

Beau reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was gentle, but the heat in his eyes was anything but. “If I said I missed my wife,” he said, his voice low and warm, would that get me any brownie points.

Abbie felt her cheeks flush, but she refused to let him win so easily. “Missed me? “You just saw me this morning at breakfast.”

“That is correct, but that was this morning,” he replied, leaning closer until their faces were just inches apart.

Her retort died on her lips as his mouth claimed hers in a slow, teasing kiss. She melted into it, her fingers curling into the front of his uniform shirt. He tasted like coffee and mint, and the sheer intensity of his kiss made her toes curl.

“Beau,” she murmured against his lips, though she made no move to stop him. “We’re at work.”

“So?” he said, his voice rough as he trailed kisses down her jawline. “Door’s locked.”

Her laugh turned into a soft gasp as he pulled her out of her chair and into his arms, his hands firm but reverent on her waist. “You’re incorrigible,” she said, though the breathlessness in her voice gave her away.

“And you love it,” he shot back, capturing her lips again in a kiss that sent her heart racing.

Breathless, Abbie pulled away. “You’re right, I do love it, but someone could walk in here at any moment and seeing their counsel sprawled out across her desk isn’t exactly a confidence booster.”

“True.” Beau released her and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of her desk. “I did have some other news I thought you might be interested in. About the Van Meters.”

Abbie returned to her chair and propped her elbows on the desk. “I’m all ears.”

“It seems the feds have a beef with Teddy’s dad and brother. Tax evasion. Mail Fraud. And a whole host of other charges that went down today in federal court. And you know what the kicker is?”

Abbie smiled at the spark of excitement in Beau’s eyes as he told her the news. “Teddy has agreed to testify against them for a reduced prison sentence. He’ll be out in five years instead of the ten he was sentenced to. Just goes to show there’s no honor among rats.”

“That is so true. I don’t think anybody is going to be surprised?—”

Before Abbie could finish her thought, the shrill ring of her office phone rang.

“Abbie Carter, how can I help you?”

“Mrs. Elliott?” a cheerful voice on the other end asked.

“Yes, this is she.”

“This is Tammy from Dr. Wilkins’s office. I’m calling with your test results. Is it okay if I give them to you over the phone or would you rather come by the office and?—”

Her heart skipped a beat, and she gripped the edge of her desk. “No, now is fine. I mean, you can give them to me over the phone.”

“Congratulations, Mrs. Elliott,” Tammy’s tone bright and bubbly. “You’re pregnant!”

For a moment, Abbie couldn’t speak. The words hung in the air, surreal and overwhelming. Pregnant. She was going to have a baby. Her free hand instinctively went to her stomach, as if to confirm the reality of it.

“Mrs. Elliott? Are you still there?” Tammy asked.

“Yes,” Abbie said, her voice shaky but filled with wonder. “Yes, I’m here. Thank you for letting me know.”

After Tammy gave her some basic instructions and set up her first prenatal appointment, Abbie hung up the phone and turned to Beau, who was watching her intently.

“Who was that?” he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

Abbie took a deep breath, her lips curving into a smile that she couldn’t contain even if she wanted to. “It was the doctor’s office.”

Beau straightened, his expression shifting to one of worry. “Everything okay?”

Her smile widened as she walked over to him and took his hands in hers. “Everything’s more than okay,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “We’re having a baby, Beau.”

For a moment, he just stared at her as if he couldn’t quite process the words. Then his face broke into a grin so wide it lit up the entire room. “We’re having a baby?” he repeated, his voice filled with awe.

Abbie nodded, tears welling in her eyes as she laughed. “We’re having a baby.”

Beau let out a whoop of joy, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. “Abbie, this is... I don’t even have words. This is incredible.”

When he set her down, his hands framed her face, his eyes shining with love and wonder. “You’re gonna be an amazing mom,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

“And you’re gonna be an amazing dad,” she replied, her heart so full it felt like it might burst.

They kissed again, this time with a tenderness that spoke of all the dreams and promises yet to come. In that moment, standing in her office with the afternoon sun streaming through the windows, Abbie knew life was about to change in the most beautiful way.

Their family was growing, and with Beau by her side, she felt ready for anything.