Epilogue

Scarlett and Tazwere married at one o'clock, on the third Saturday of September.

The weather was perfect. A bright blue sky, a warm breeze with temperatures in the low 70s, and no rain in sight. Held at the Triple B in the old barn out back it was a small affair, with mostly family and a few friends in attendance. Cameron and Ryan stole the show when they walked down the aisle tossing flowers in their pink and purple dresses with matching sequined cowboy boots.

The boots they'd negotiated hard for, and since they did have their father wrapped around their little pinky fingers, the Mary Janes that had come with the dresses were boxed up and tucked away without any fuss.

The reception was catered by the Sundowner, and they kept the food simple, steaks, ribs, burgers, home fries, and all the fixings. By nine o'clock Cal and the rest of the band were on stage entertaining the crowd, though Millie Sue had retired early with their month-old son, Josh.

It had been the best day of her life and Scarlett had a lot to be thankful for, which was something she reflected on as she walked up to her old bedroom and put Hank down. She kissed him and tucked him in to his old crib, then stood back and watched the gentle rise and fall of his little chest. Was it possible to feel this much joy? A soft noise caught her attention; her father stood just in the doorway.

"Hey," she said softly, making her way over to him. His Bridgestone blue eyes glittered in the low light.

"How's he doing?"

"He's asleep."

Manley nodded. "They don't need much at that age. Love, food, and a warm bed."

She nodded.

"She should be here today." His voice was thick with emotion.

"Mom?"

"Yes."

"We don't need to talk about her if it makes you sad." Scarlett wasn't accusatory, it was a plain, simple fact.

"We don't talk about her enough," Manley replied. He nodded toward the crib. "Hank's got her nose."

She smiled at that. "He does. I think he has her laugh as well."

"It's a miracle. What we pass on to our children." His voice trembled. "I know I wasn't there for you when you needed me. I know I was weak. I?—"

"Dad…" She moved to him and took his hand. "We don't need to do this. Not today. Not ever." She hoped he knew how sincere she was, and she knew she had to get this right. "I didn't know how big love could be. Not really. Not like this. Taz is my everything and I can't imagine a world without him in it." She squeezed his hand. "You lost mom, and you had a lot of dark years. But you made it through. You got that second chance, and you didn't throw it away. You're here with me on the day Taz and I became a family. You walked me down the aisle into my future and that's all we need to focus on. The past made us what we are, but we don't need to revisit or dwell on it."

He slowly nodded. "Okay."

"Now," she said tucking her arm into his. "Let's head back out to the barn. You owe me a dance."

The reception was in full swing when she and her father took to the floor, and it was much later that her new husband claimed her. Scarlett melted into his arms as Cal slowed things down with a song he'd written for Millie Sue. The words were full of love and belonging, and desire and need. Aptly titled "My World," it mirrored what was in her heart.

Scarlett and Taz swayed to the music, no words spoken, just two bodies meant for each other slowly laying claim. When the song was done, Taz kissed her, a soft, slow touch that had her blood singing, and her heart racing.

"Keep that up mister and I just might do something indecent in front of these folks."

"Promise?" Taz murmured, his voice low and intimate.

She gazed up at him, suddenly serious. "I want it to always feel like this."

"Like what?" He dropped another kiss to the side of her neck.

Her throat was suddenly tight, and she leaned her head on his chest. "I don't know how to say what I feel."

"Because it's so big?"

She nodded, thinking about her father and his loss. "It's kinda scary."

Taz held her close and kissed the top of her head. "Being vulnerable and open to our kind of love is."

The two of them moved into the shadows and swayed in the dark as Cal sang another song. Scarlett's eyes moved over the crowd, until she spied someone standing near the entrance of the barn. She couldn't make out who it was, and she frowned. She moved out of Taz's embrace.

"You leaving me already?" he murmured, his handsome face smiling.

"I'll be back in a second."

She was halfway across the room when she realized who it was. "Viv?"

The tall, slender brunette smiled as Scarlett approached. "I'm sorry I'm late. The plane was delayed twice and then there was a problem with my rental and I?—"

Scarlett enveloped her sister in the kind of hug they hadn't shared in years. Decades maybe. Was it because of the big love she was feeling? Maybe. Or was it because she was finally at peace with a past that had made her into the woman she was?

Whatever the reason, it didn't matter. She stood back. Her sister had always been a beauty, with her long dark hair, sky-blue eyes and the kind of bone structure that inspired artists. She was tall and slender, and wild and mysterious and…sad? There was something in her eyes that tugged at Scarlett's heartstrings.

"You're home, Viv," she said softly. "That's all that matters."

Benton walked over, then Ryland, and she wasn't sure when the band stopped, but Cal appeared at her side and the five of them stared at each other in silence. She couldn't remember the last time the five of them had been together.

"You look beautiful, Scar." Vivian's voice was husky and her eyes shone with tears.

"You here for long?" Benton asked.

Vivian glanced his way. "I don't know what my plans are. I haven't booked a return flight."

"Good. Maybe we can convince you to stay this time." Benton cracked a smile.

"I don't know about that," Vivian said slowly, eyes moving beyond them as she took in the crowd.

Scarlett got the feeling she was looking for someone in particular, but she didn't have time to dwell on the notion, because it was time to cut the cake.

The rest of the night was about as perfect as Scarlett could ask for. Cal's band played until the sun began to peek through the night sky and by the time she took off her dancing shoes it was nearly five a.m. She and Taz had exactly one hour to get ready before they left for their honeymoon. The destination was a surprise, and Rosie had gotten her bags packed so she had no clue what clothes she was taking.

The twins were fast asleep in Scarlett's bed, and Benton, Manley, and Martha would navigate parenting duties for the next five days.

"They'll be fine," Taz said, appearing in the doorway of the kitchen.

God, he knew her so well. "I've never left Hank for that long before."

"They're surrounded by family."

She nodded. "You're right."

"Come here, Mrs. Pullman," he commanded with a wicked grin.

Damn, but she liked the sound of that. Ten minutes ago, she'd been tired. But one look from this man had her blood burning, her insides shaking, and her heart racing.

"Ask me nicely and I might think about it."

"Please?"

She walked into his arms and the kind of kiss that made heat coil deep in her belly. His hands were everywhere, and she broke the kiss, laughing as she gazed up into the face of the only man she would ever love.

"We're in the kitchen," she whispered.

"I'm aware." He winked. "It's as good a place as any to make a baby."

She stilled at his words and leaned into him, the thought of creating new life with this man made her ovaries explode. "How many?"

"Ten."

"Ten?" Scarlett chuckled. "I can't imagine being pregnant for ten years." She paused. "Two."

"Three."

"Deal."

"We better get started on that, Mrs. Pullman." His mouth was near her ear, by the spot that made her melt.

"But we're in the kitchen."

"So you said."

"I don't think Rosie would appreciate it."

His mouth moved lower, now at the base of her neck. He licked at her pulse and slipped his hand inside the bodice of her dress. "I think Rosie would understand."

"We need to leave soon." God his touch felt good.

"We've got forty-five minutes." He'd pulled down the bodice and his mouth closed over her nipple.

She was losing her mind. And they were in the kitchen. Which wasn't far from the study. "Let's go," she said hoarsely, pulling him after her.

She would let him thoroughly love her. And maybe they would make a baby. Then she could sleep. Content. Happy. Excited for a future with this man.

All the pieces of her heart intact.