Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Epilogue
SIENNA
ONE YEAR LATER
It’s been a hell of a year, and as much as I hate when Garrett has to leave me alone to work, I’ve gotten used to it. Now I take pride in making his homecoming special, and that’s exactly what I plan to do tonight.
I gently lay Bree down in her crib, the tinkling sound of her mobile filling the quiet nursery. She’s so peaceful, her tiny hand curling into a fist before she settles into the blanket. I brush a strand of hair from her forehead—dark, like her father’s—before leaning down to press a kiss to her soft skin.
The past year has been a whirlwind, and that’s putting it lightly. Garrett and I married in a quiet ceremony and spent a blissful honeymoon in Cozumel, where I swiftly got pregnant. It took some time for my parents, especially my mother, to come around, but when she heard I was carrying her grandchild, Mom finally relented.
The life I’ve chosen isn’t one she would have liked, but that’s not important. This is what I wanted, and I love this life down to the very last molecule.
I step back, closing the nursery door quietly behind me, and head to the kitchen. The smell of freshly baked cookies fills the air, making my stomach rumble. Being a mother has me starving all the time, but it also means that I don’t have much time to cook from scratch. Oh well, I’m sure Garrett doesn’t mind break-apart cookie dough.
I promised Garrett I’d make him dinner tonight, and even though spaghetti isn’t exactly gourmet, it’s the thought that counts, right? He’s always so patient with me, and I want to give him something back for all the hard work he does out on the road. I know he’s only been gone for a week, but every day without him feels like it drags on forever.
The oven dings, and I pull the cookies out, setting them on the cooling rack. I glance around the kitchen, trying to make everything perfect. The pasta’s ready, the sauce is simmering on the stove, and I even have a case of beer chilling for him.
He’s going to love this, I tell myself, and just as I’m about to grab the serving plates, I hear the tell-tale sound of Garrett’s rig. I freeze, the familiar sound of Garrett’s boots on the porch the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.
Before I even realize it, I’m already walking toward the door, a huge smile spreading across my face. I swing the door open and there he is—Garrett. He looks worn but happy to be home, his duffle bag slung over one shoulder.
“Hey, baby,” I try to say, but it only comes out as a whisper.
Without another word, he steps forward, pulling me into his arms. I feel the familiar rush of safety, of home, as his arms wrap around me. It’s amazing how just being near him can make everything feel right. His lips find mine, and I kiss him deeply, pouring every bit of longing, love, and happiness into that one kiss.
“I missed you so much,” I murmur against his lips.
“I missed you too,” he replies, his voice low, warm. His hands move to cradle my face, and he pulls away just enough to look at me, his eyes full of that deep affection I never thought I deserved. “How’s Bree? Did she take a good nap?”
“Yeah, she’s sound asleep,” I answer with a soft laugh. “But if she wakes up grumpy, it’s your turn.”
Garrett chuckles, leaning in to kiss me again. "Sounds like a deal."
I step back and look him over, finally taking in how tired he looks, the long week on the road written across his face. He’s home now, though, and nothing else matters. “Dinner’s ready, but I’m not sure it’s as good as truck-stop breakfast,” I joke. “I tried my best.”
“You always do.”
My heart aches with how much I adore this man. My husband. The father of my child. The man who made it possible to escape a future I feared so terribly and gave me a taste of just how beautiful life could be.
Extended Epilogue
GARRETT
TEN YEARS LATER
It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years. The house in Texas feels like a new chapter—a bigger house, a bigger life, and a hell of a lot more chaos. We had it easy with Bree, but the boys have really put us through our paces. I knew we had to get a bigger place with room for them to run and play, or Sienna and I would spend our entire lives sleep-deprived.
Bree’s already ten, Adam’s five, and Jacob’s just three. I still can’t believe how fast they’ve grown. It made it impossible for me to keep working the long-haul gigs. It felt like every time I came home, they looked older, so I quit.