The cops hauled his sorry ass off my ranch hours ago. He’s in the hospital currently, recovering from the bullet I put in his arm. But from there, I doubt he’ll see outside of a cage for a long time.
Juni is free of him.
She is safe.
And she wants to stay.
I feel my mouth curve up into a smile, remembering how she looked at me when she said it. Like despite all the shit we’ve been through, all the hurt and abuse, there is a possibility of forever for us. It’s no longer right now; it’s tomorrow and the next day, the next week and month.
We thought we couldn’t have forever, but forever is starting right fucking now.
She’s sleeping in my bed, my shirt covering her body, my scent and her scent mingling together. Sugar and smoke, sunshine and storm.
I never truly understood how people refer to other people like a puzzle, like they’re a missing piece finally slotting into place, but I get it now. Juni is the last puzzle piece, the bigger picture in the chaos we call life.
She just fits.
Fits me.
Fits my kids.
This ranch.
I sign off the email and hit send, with all the documents attached, and then close the lid of my laptop before I pull my glasses off my face and place themon top. I should be in bed already, but I needed to get this done to close that chapter for her.
Hitting all the switches in the house to turn out the lights, I move toward Caleb’s room, peeking through the door to check on him. He’s sound asleep, curled up in his bed with the stuffed bear dressed like an astronaut tucked under his arm. I go to Rosie next, chuckling lightly at the mess she makes while she sleeps. Arms and legs up and out at all angles, her blonde hair completely fallen out of the braid Juni put it in before she went to bed and the eye mask she insists on wearing now covering one ear instead of her eyes. She’s surrounded by her stuffed animals, a book, and—is that a fucking half-eaten corn cob!?
It’s far too late to be questioning the inner workings of my daughter’s mind, so I quietly shut the door, leaving the night light that throws shapes onto the ceiling switched on.
When I finally make it to my bedroom, my soul settles at the sight. Juni is curled up, sleeping soundly despite the nightmare today gave her. Her resilience astounds me; she just keeps getting up whenever she is knocked down. There’s nothing dainty about her. She’s as sure as the mountains that surround us, as fierce as the storms that roll down the craggy edges, and as strong as the pines that never break during them.
I’m quiet as I enter, clicking the door closed behind me and move into the bathroom to prepare for bed. I feel whole, settled, and I’ve never felt better.
When all is done, I climb in beside Juni, wrapping my body around hers.
“Happy looks good on you, brother,” Roman slaps my shoulder where I stand at the fence watching the young filly and Loni hit it off. It’s been days of slow introductions, but the pair didn’t need it. Dottie had been yearning for a bond, and she’s found it in the steadfast mare and the young colt who’s watching from the sidelines.
It wasn’t too long ago we were standing right here, and he was telling me to give her a reason to stay.
“I'm not sure I deserved it.”
He scoffs, “Why’s that?”
“Clearly I fucked up somewhere with the kid’s mom to make her do what she did.”
“Fuck off,” he grumbles.
I shrug, “Can’t be helped when you’re not sure where you went wrong. I used to spend nights on end wondering what I did, how I fucked it up, but I never could figure it out.”
“You blamed yourself,” Roman shakes his head, “Not right man. Everything that happened was on her. Can’t help loving the wrong person, but guess it makes it all the more sweeter when you love the right one.”
“You been reading pop’s diary?” I joke.
“Hey, he knew his shit.” Roman shrugs, “Was under our nose all along and we didn’t even know it.”
I shake my head and change the subject, “You heard from Remy?”
My texts to the youngest of the three of us have been left unanswered and my calls ignored.
