Epilogue

JOY

A year later - New Years Eve

“M om!” I grab my mom’s hand before she can pluck one of the glasses of champagne from the tray filled with them. We started to pour them for everyone because it’s almost time. But when the new diamond ring on her finger catches my attention, I lose all other thoughts. “What is this?”

“An engagement ring.” She plays coy with me, and I roll my eyes. “He asked me, and I said yes.”

That’s when I see pink spread across my mom’s cheeks. “You’re blushing.”

“I am not. It’s hot in here.” Mom gently pulls her hand away before taking hold of the champagne glass.

“Right,” I laugh. It’s snowing outside, but there are a good thirty people in our home tonight to ring in the new year with us.

Last year I didn’t know a lot of the people who worked on Devin’s ranch, but since then, I’ve gotten to know everyone. They say the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and that’s how I got them. Not that they were rude, but it lured them into the house.

Devin was a bit grumpy about it at first. He can be territorial, but in time, he saw how much I enjoyed cooking for everyone. All of his ranch hands are gentlemen. Well, to me, at least.

It has always been my goal to open a business. They say do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life, and cooking is what I love to do. I was happy to stay right where I was and feed everyone. It filled my days and made me happy, and my husband was more than happy to let me. He enjoyed me barefoot and now pregnant in the kitchen. I seem to enjoy that as well.

“It’s not a big deal. I’m almost fifty.” Mom tries to downplay the ring, and I hate it.

“Bullshit.” I call her on it. “Your first marriage sucked. He was a cheating asshole.”

“That’s your father.” She shrugs.

“Sperm donor,” I correct. “You and Patrick are in love, and he adores you.”

My mom's face gets a bit redder, if that is even possible. She stopped by one afternoon to hang out, and the men happened to be coming in for lunch at the same time. I’ll never forget the expression on Patrick’s face when he spotted my mom sitting at the kitchen island eating one of my cinnamon rolls. I suppose now, the rest is history. He’s a good man and is the foreman of the ranch. He’s always eager to take care of her and make her feel special.

"It wouldn't be strange if we had a small wedding? Patrick’s never been married."

"Of course not! We’ll do it here. It's beautiful in the spring." A smile lights up her face before I pull her in for a tight hug.

On this ranch, we have truly found our own family.

After the incident with my Aunt Mary, the rest of my father’s side of the family fled town. I’m not sure if it was because of the whole legal mess and not wanting to face everyone or if my husband ran them out. There wasn’t anyone in Mittenville that didn’t know the bullshit they pulled, but either way, I was pleased to see them go. I never should have held on to them for as long as I did. Devin has shown me that family is what and who you make it. He’s also made me realize that you can’t waste time pouring love and energy into someone that will only ever suck it from you.

"I understand a round of congratulations is in order," Devin says when I release my mom.

He comes up behind me and slides his arms around my waist, pulling my back to his front. One of his hands rests protectively on the small bump on my belly that’s already started to form. At first I was worried when we didn’t get pregnant right away. Sabrina got pregnant if Booker stared at her for too long. The whole time Devin told me not to worry and that these things can take time. He was right all along. Not only that, but he managed to give me two babies at once. I wasn’t shocked when the doctor informed us of this. My man is determined.

"Thanks, but I'm guessing you knew?" Mom says to him and gives me a knowing look. I can feel my husband shrug. There isn't much he doesn't know.

“I thought we could do it here. In the spring?” I say and glance over my shoulder at my husband.

“It’s your ranch too, bunny. It’s up to you.” I lean back into my husband and grin. He’s always reminding me that we are building a life here together.

"I know. I just meant we should look at the calendar. Spring is when things start to get busier around here. I don’t want to put any added stress on the crew."

“We’ll figure it out. First thing tomorrow.” Devin gives my belly a pat before grabbing my hand. “Now I’m going to steal my wife away.”

He leads me into the office, and I see the time on the clock.

“It’s almost midnight,” I remind him.

“I know,” he says, and then I let out a small squeak of surprise when he lifts me. He’s got a hold of my hips as he sets me down on top of his desk and moves between my legs. The size of him forces me to spread them wide. “I want my New Year's kiss alone.”

Devin's fingers move to my hair, and then I feel him grasp a handful. When he tilts my head back and takes possession of my mouth, I have no choice but to let him. I grip the front of his button-up shirt with my fingers, moaning into his mouth. He doesn't pull away until we're both breathless.

I glance at the clock again as I swipe my tongue across my bottom lip. "It's not midnight yet."

His grin is wicked as he raises an eyebrow. "Who said those were the lips I wanted to kiss at midnight?"

"Devin!" I burst into laughter, but he doesn't. If anything, he turns serious before he easily pulls my dress up and over my head. I didn’t feel him unzip the back, but he must have done it while he was kissing me. My man is always a few steps ahead.

He drops to his knees in front of me, and I don’t even try to protest as he pulls my panties down my legs. Devin's rough fingers slide up my calves to my thighs, pulling my legs wider apart before he yanks my ass to the edge of the desk. I know he’d never let me fall, and that’s another layer of trust between us.

“You know...” I sink my fingers into his hair as he kisses up the inside of my thigh. “I didn’t think it was possible, but you’re even more handsome on your knees.”

“I have no shame about being on my knees for my woman.” He looks up at me, and there’s nothing but hunger and love in his eyes.

“I know that.” I smile.

“I love you, bunny,” he says. Then he leans in, and his breath brushes against my skin.

“I love you too,” I tell him as I hear everyone begin to loudly count down the time. Devin isn’t waiting for it to end. Instead, he buries his face against my pussy, devouring me.

I’m crying out his name in pleasure as the clock strikes midnight. Looks like I’m going into the new year with an orgasm.

I can’t think of a better way for it to begin.

THE END!