Epilogue

Rodney sat on the front porch of the James Ranch and watched the sun set behind the mountains. An early spring was upon them and he was taking advantage of the warmer weather, needing a respite from being cooped up inside.

"I wondered where you disappeared to." Bridget came outside and joined him on the porch swing.

He could hear the television playing in the background. "You're missing the movie."

She shrugged. "I've seen it before."

The James family was watching The Hangover, curled up in comfort on the couches and chairs, eating popcorn, laughing at Zach Galifinakis.

"So you came back." Rodney hadn't been surprised when Bridget arrived in Saratoga two days ago, hand in hand with her handsome cowboys. Anyone could look at them and know they were meant to be together.

She looked out at the ranch. He was struck by the utter contentment on her face. After months of living together, he wasn't sure he'd ever seen the true Bridget. The one sitting beside him now. Relaxed, complacent, peaceful. It was a nice change from the constant fear and suspicion that had resided there before the trial.

"Do you think I was crazy to drop everything in New York and follow Matt and Mark back here?"

"Not crazy at all, unless you count crazy in love."

She grinned. "I don't regret the decision. Even though my mother flipped out and yelled at me for two hours on the phone for quitting my job without having another one lined up. She also wasn't too pleased to hear I'd followed a man I'd just met out west on what she views as a lark."

"A man? Not men?"

"Jesus." Bridget shuddered. "It's going to take me a while to work up to that little detail. She went seriously ballistic over me moving to Saratoga. Not sure how I'll break the threesome deal to her."

"You know, there's a newspaper in Saratoga. Maybe you can be the What to Do This Weekend girl here."

They both laughed and she shook her head. "That would be a damn short column."

"And the same every week," Rodney joked. "So have you given any thought to what you want to do?" He'd spent every waking moment of the last week trying to figure out his future. He glanced at his bandaged arm, and felt the now-familiar pang of fear that never completely went away grip him again. It had consumed him ever since the bullet pierced his flesh. Caleb told him he may never regain full use of the arm. He swallowed heavily. What if the hand remained paralyzed? What good was a one-armed cop? No good. In the blink of an eye, his career had been destroyed. Depression wafted through him once more. What the hell was he supposed to do now?

"Actually…" Bridget looked at him out of the corner of her eye and he braced himself. She obviously had a scheme in the works. "I was toying with the idea of trying a different kind of writing."

"Other than journalism?"

She nodded. "I talked to Matt and Mark about it and they were completely supportive."

"What kind of writing?"

"I want to write a novel—a romantic suspense."

Bridget seemed to prepare herself for his teasing, but it was perfect for her. He was amazed by her resilience and creativity. Two days out of work and she'd come up with a plan. If anyone could succeed at that career, it was Bridget. He was jealous of her confidence, her willingness to put herself out there and try something new.

"I think that sounds awesome."

"Really?" she asked, sitting up straighter. "Because I'm planning to make the first one a sort of fictionalized account of our experiences. I've already decided I'm dedicating the book to you and Lyle."

A book? Dedicated to him? "Cool."

Bridget turned on the swing, so that she was facing him. He was slightly uncomfortable under her scrutiny. "Rodney?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

He wanted to lie. It was on the tip of his tongue to give the standard I'm fine response. He couldn't do it. For one thing, Bridget would see right through it, and for another, he wasn't fine. He wasn't even close to that.

He shook his head. "Not really. I'm fucked up, kitten." He swallowed heavily, a lump forming in his throat. He gestured to his injured arm. "What the hell am I supposed to do now?"

"What do you want to do?"

He was confused by her question. "What do you mean?"

"You need to go through physical therapy for your arm, right?"

He nodded.

"Are you going to do that?"

"Of course I am."

"Why?" she asked. "You sound to me like you've already written that arm off."

He scowled and started to deny her assertion. He shut his mouth instead. Hard to argue against the truth. He'd been throwing the mother of all pity parties for himself this week.

"Rodney, you're young, brave, strong and one of the most determined people I've ever met. If anyone can make a miracle, it's you."

"You're being persuasive again."

She laughed. "Nope, this is one of those times when I'm being right. You always mix those up."

He was still afraid. "I'm a cop, Bridget. That's all I know how to be. What if my arm doesn't come back? What then?"

"Well, then, you have a whole world of careers to choose from. You need to think outside the box. I can't be a reporter in Saratoga, so I'll be a writer. You can't be a cop in New York—for now," she quickly interjected. "So, you'll be…"

Lost.

It was the only word that came to his mind. Finally, he just shrugged. "I don't know."

She reached over to grasp his good hand. "You have time to figure it out. Will you stay here while you do?"

He hadn't been in any hurry to return to the city. He wished he could understand why. It just felt like there was something tying him here.

Jake's laughter drifted from the living room.

Jacob James.

If Rodney was being completely honest, he knew why he was staying. Jake had been a godsend to him these past few weeks. Offering companionship during his recuperation. Comfort and laughter during his down times.

Rodney knew Jake hoped for—wanted—more from him, but that desire seemed pointless right now. Rodney had nothing to offer but a crippled arm, a gut full of resentment and a pile of regrets. It wasn't fair to dim Jake's bright light with the shadow currently residing over him.

"I have no idea where I belong right now."

Bridget grinned. "Well, I may not know much, Rodney, but I do know the answer to that. You belong here. With us."

Her words soothed his weary soul. "Here sounds pretty good."

"This is a good place. I knew it the first night we arrived. I don't know the answer to your problem, but I do think you'll find it here. You might even find a bit of happiness along the way."

"Happiness sounds good."

She laughed, her face painted with sheer delight. "Happiness is very good."

Don't stop here!Read the whole series. There are two more Just Because books, featuring those sexy James brothers. Be sure to check them out.

Because of You

Because It's True