Page 105 of One Reckless Moment

I startled, confused. Paige knew what my hesitation was. She laced her fingers between mine and tugged me with her.

“You’re family, Jesse. Yeah, we’re married now, but you’ve been family for a long time.” She started walking backward and I followed her like a puppy.

Her words were like balm to my scarred soul.

Family.

I’d never had one of those before. I’d never known the unconditional love of people who had no choice but to accept you—until now.

I was a little choked up as the photographer placed Paige and me in our spots for the family portrait. I had always been jealous of the bond this family had. No matter what happened, they supported each other fiercely. To be part of something like that seemed like a pipe dream.

I held Paige to me and soaked in the moment. I knew now that there was no one who could ever have my back the way her and our family did.

I could not be more endlessly grateful that one reckless moment showed me everything in life I was afraid to open myself up to.

EPILOGUE

WHO THE FUCK HURT YOU?

PAIGE

SIX MONTHS LATER

We were hanging out in the rec room when Reid walked in with his arms raised out to the side, as if announcing his presence.

“Who’s up for Saloon?” he sang out as he walked behind the bar Walker installed when he was in his early twenties.

“Hell yeah,” Cash said, kissing my cheek.

I rolled my eyes. “If one of you gets into a fight tonight, I’m just going to let it happen.”

“Last weekend was a fluke,” Axle said with a goofy grin.

“I’ll let you get hit the hardest,” I said, standing to grab a drink from Reid.

“I didn’t know the girl had a boyfriend, okay? It’s not my fault she was draped in my lap.”

I rolled my eyes and ignored him like I usually did.

Things on the ranch were back to normal—or at least our new normal. Cash and I adjusted to life together quickly. He moved into my little apartment permanently and we broke ground on our new house two months ago. Every morning Cash kissed my head before leaving for work, and every night we had dinner together before falling back into bed wrapped up in each other.

I still worked for my dad and the ranch. I maintained the social media like I always had. But after California, I decided to do more things I enjoyed. I started a side business of photography, hosting photoshoots on the ranch for families and couples. It was wildly popular with tourists, and even more popular with local engaged couples. Brooks Valley Ranch was the perfect canvas to do what I loved.

It was a simple change, but one that satisfied what I was missing in my life.

“Okay, I got twenty on Axle getting punched in the face first.” Reid slapped a bill on the bartop.

“Too easy, my money is on you.”

Reid gasped and reared back, acting completely offended.

“Oh, don’t give me that look,” I snorted.

“I’m an angel,” he defended.

“Mm-hmm.” I nodded and patted his shoulder before taking the beer out of his hands.

“I feel like I’m under attack,” Reid said, looking around the room for someone to jump in and defend his honor.