When he disappears into the barn, I finally face Ryder and Maddox. I stare at them. The silence deafening.
Relocated.
Rattlesnakes.
Maddox meets my stare.
“You said you didn’t hurt him.” It’s not an accusation. A question maybe?
He takes his hat off, running a hand over his shaggy hair before he drops it back down. “I didn’t. A rattlesnake did.”
My eyes move to Ryder. He stands as always. Stoic. “That was a hell of a gamble,” I voice.
He never flinches when he says, “You should know by now, Parker, I’m a gambling man.”
Epilogue
Laiken
6 months later
Parker’s lips drag across my pulse point, his hands gripping my hips. I’m panting. Not just from the rigorous and creative sex we had in the parking lot of the Mayson Jar, but frommortification. We just left a celebration of life. We shouldn’t be banging in the aftermath.
“Stop overthinking,” Parker mumbles against my neck.
I rake a hand through the back of his hair, the shiny diamond on my finger glinting in the afternoon light. It’s perfect. And beautiful. Just like his proposal was two months ago.
I pull away, my back resting against the steering wheel. I’m straddling his lap, while he’s still seated firmly inside of me.
“Are we bad people?”
He chuckles. “Doc was specific about his funeral. There wouldn’t be one. He wanted laughs, food, beer, and music.” He runs a thumb across my nipple through my bra. “Besides, the actual event is over. This is just the continued celebration for the locals.”
I reach down to lift the strap of my dress back up, but Parker catches my hand.My ring hand.
“I never get tired of seeing this on your finger,” he rasps before he kisses my fingertips.
Smiling, I climb off him, the emptiness cold and disappointing.
“Wait.” Parker slides a hand beneath my dress, two fingers gathering the evidence of our activities.
With his eyes locked on mine, he pushes it back where he wants it. “Better.” He lifts a dark brow. “I want you walking around with my mark on you.”
I hold up my hand. “The ring wasn’t enough?”
He slaps a palm on my ass. “Clothes in place, Firefly. I gotta get in there and set up the mechanical bull for Trace.”
And this is why I love this man.
When we enter the Mayson Jar, the band is in full swing. The entire town is here, celebrating the legend that Doc Palmer was. He wasn’t just a vet, but a friend. He was a jokester and alwaysmade you smile. His heart was just too tired to beat any longer on this earth.
“There you are!” Ivy shuffles over with baby Sage strapped to her chest.
“Hey.” I press a hand to my heart at the sight of her light blonde hair and chubby cheeks. I’ve been catching baby fever.Bad.“Look at that bow.”
“You should see the one for the Fourth of July. It’s precious.” She beams.
“Where’s Kota and Cooper?”
