Epilogue

EPILOGUE

THANKSGIVING—A YEAR LATER…

T ucker helped a heavily pregnant Reagan from his truck. He didn’t think she would make her due date, which was ten days away. His wife glowed, though, and he couldn’t help but stop and kiss her before they headed up the sidewalk to the Clarks’ front door.

“Mmm. What was that for?” she asked.

His thumb caressed her cheek. “A just because kiss.”

“Give me another one.”

“With pleasure.”

He took his time, the kiss lengthy. And very satisfying.

“I better get the sides you brought,” he said. “Let me get you in the door first.”

By now, Dax and Ivy had pulled up. Dax unbuckled Kristina from her car seat and handed the eight-month-old baby, named for Ivy’s birth mom, to his wife.

“Kissing is contagious,” Dax called cheerfully. “I think I might catch it.” He leaned in and gave Ivy a kiss, following it with a sweet kiss to Kristina’s head.

The two men escorted their wives to the porch, where Harper answered the door. Beau stood beside her. He had just started walking last week, and Harper joked keeping up with him was the greatest challenge she’d ever faced, said with a smile, of course.

“Take the women off our hands,” Tucker said. “We’re going back for the food.”

By the time he and Dax had made two trips from their vehicles to the kitchen, Holden and Finley had arrived. They brought in an additional turkey, along with sweet potato casserole, ladened with a thick layer of marshmallows.

Ry and Emerson followed, Ry pushing a stroller with twins Hayley and Mark inside it. Emerson had given birth to the twins in late September after being in labor thirty-six hours. She said labor had been harder than creating a nine-tiered wedding cake— but worth every minute.

“Go back and grab the desserts, Ry,” Emerson encouraged. “I baked apple, pumpkin, and pecan this year and also brought a chocolate ganache cake and peanut butter cookies.”

“I think I’ll go straight for the desserts and skip the rest,” Holden teased.

The doorbell rang again, and soon Wolf and Ana, along with Eva and Bear, had joined them in the kitchen.

“What did you bring?” Harper asked.

“Acorn squash slices,” Ana replied. “They’ve got some maple syrup and pecans mixed in. Also, some creamed pearl onions. Wolf can’t seem to get enough of those.”

“Sounds heavenly,” Harper said.

Braden got everyone organized, placing dishes in warming trays and others in the oven to finish baking. He shooed everyone but Finley from the kitchen, saying the two of them would make certain food went on the table at the right time.

Just before two that afternoon, Braden asked for everyone to gather in the den. They joined hands and formed a circle, and Tucker couldn’t help but recall doing the same last Thanksgiving, when Miss Jean had been with them.

Braden offered a prayer of thanksgiving, saying how grateful he was for family and friends who had become family. Then he concluded with, “And today we remember Miss Jean Bradley, who was with us this time last year. Feeding us. Loving us. Inspiring us. She’s with us in spirit today.”

He squeezed Reagan’s hand. She squeezed back.

“Let’s eat!” Braden proclaimed.

Finley and Braden had lined up all the dishes along the counters, using the island as a spillover zone. Tucker held Reagan’s plate for her, not wanting her to carry anything too heavy.

“I won’t break,” she said.

“I know. I just like spoiling you.”

She brushed a kiss along his jaw. “I like being spoiled.”

At the table, Braden said, “I think we should reflect on what’s gone well for us all this past year as we chow down. Maybe think on what’s to come in the next year. I’ll start.” He paused. “I have a new blend I’ve tweaked over the last two months. I think it’s going to be a big seller for Lost Creek Vineyards. And the past year has been the best of my life, seeing Beau move through so many different stages. Harper?”

“Weddings with Hart was totally booked this year, and only a few slots remain open for next year. But work is secondary to me now. Beau is the focus. Promoting Paula and hiring another assistant is the smartest decision I’ve made in years. Next to marrying Mr. Handsome over there, that is.” She turned to her sister. “Ivy?”

“I’d say Kristina tops our list.” She smiled down at the infant, asleep in her arms. “But I was thrilled to complete my second art exhibition for Clive. And Harmony & Hues has really taken off.”

Ivy referred to a fusion night of music and art, a summer festival she and Dax had started.

Dax said, “We’re going to try to take Harmony & Hues to another town beyond Lost Creek this coming summer.” He grinned. “Naturally, it’s going to be where we just opened our second Java Junction. The coffeehouse will help support the fusion nights, and we’ll continue to give local talent the mike on Saturday nights once summer is over.”

Turning to Holden, Dax said, “You’re on, Writer Man.”

Holden touched the bridge of his nose, pushing his glasses up. “Well, my win for best first screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards started off a great year for me. Then Mr. Hamilton’s World , the book and movie, came out. Both are doing well.”

He took Finley’s hand and nodded encouragingly. She looked at the group. “What Holden is letting me share with everyone is that we’re pregnant. Eight weeks now. Due in June.”

The occupants at the table offered the couple warm congratulations, then Holden said, “Ball’s in your court, Wolf.”

The film director nodded sagely. “WEBA Productions continues to thrive. Ana and I work well as a team. We couldn’t be prouder of the films we’ve released, especially Mr. Hamilton’s Story .” He raised his wife’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “ Te amo mi querida .”

Harper looked to her husband. “You need to learn Spanish, Braden. Anytime Wolf speaks Spanish, it always sounds so romantic.”

“I’ll take that under consideration,” he said solemnly, causing everyone at the table to laugh.

“I’ll go next,” Ry said. “Obviously, the twins were the highlight of this year for Emerson and me. Smokin’ Sweethearts continues to thrive, thanks to the second food truck.” He smiled at his wife. “You’re on, honey.”

“Ditto regarding the twins, but I do have some really cool news.” She paused, a smile lighting her face. “I’ve been asked to write a wedding cake cookbook. I’ll include classic, traditional recipes, along with some more creative efforts. It’ll also include grooms’ cakes, too. Finley has agreed to provide the pictures. It’ll be part coffee table book, part guide to those aspiring to learn how to bake the ultimate wedding or groom’s cakes.”

“That’s fantastic, Emerson,” Braden enthused. “We’re becoming quite the celebrity-filled group.” He eyed Tucker.

“Okay. I’ll go,” he said. “You all know I sold a total of ten songs to Matt, and the album of country love ballads he cut is his bestselling CD of all time. I also wrote a number one hit for him with a lot of pep in it.” He inhaled a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “And last week, I signed a contract to provide Jon Jack Payne half a dozen songs for his next album.”

“Seriously?” Dax enthused. “He’s the top country solo act, Tuck. Way to go!”

Tucker slipped an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “We’re pleased. But we’re happier about the coming baby.”

Reagan rubbed her belly. “The Inn at Lost Creek is thriving. I have to thank Harper for continuing to recommend it to guests coming to Lost Creek for weddings.”

“Not a problem,” Harper said. “It’s the best place to stay in town.”

“Since Braden mentioned Aunt Jean, I thought we’d share with you that we’re going to name our little girl Jean Marie, which was Aunt Jean’s name.”

“That’s a lovely gesture,” Emerson said. “She would love having the baby named in her honor.”

They finished their meal, taking a short break before they tackled Emerson’s array of desserts. The Cowboys game started. Tucker saw that Reagan looked tired.

“Ready to go home?” he asked quietly.

She nodded. “I haven’t done much of anything today other than eat, but I am so tired. The heartburn is really bad right now.”

“Emerson told me heartburn means the baby will be born with a head of hair. Mark and Haley are perfect examples of that.”

They said their goodbyes and headed toward the truck. Reagan came to a sudden halt on the sidewalk.

“Something wrong?” he asked, trying to keep the worry from his voice.

“I feel… funny.”

Then a whoosh sounded, and Tucker saw the water at her feet, dripping down her legs. Relief filled him.

“Your water broke,” he said. “We need to head to the hospital.”

“No, we need to go home first and get my bag.”

Grinning, Tucker said, “I’ve put your bag in the truck every time we’ve gone somewhere the past week. I wanted to be prepared .”

Her sunny smile had vanquished all the darkness in his soul. He had been drawn to her light, and Reagan had saved him in every way.

“Let’s go have a baby, Mr. Young,” his wife said.

Seven hours later, she cradled Jean Marie Young in her arms. Tucker sat in the bed next to them, his arm around his wife, his finger stroking the cheek of the baby.

Life with Reagan and Jean Marie in Lost Creek was all Tucker could have asked for.