Page 122 of Second Chance Saloon

That’d explain the hay. Her eyes brimmed with tears. It was one of the many things she’d left behind in his apartment. “You … kept that drawing, all these years?”

“Of course. It was your dream home.”

She didn’t expect him to move to Texas. They talked about it on his last day in Mexico, but it was like a loose idea, something she thought he’d said in the spur of the moment. She didn’t think he’d buy land, start building a house … all before they’d even reunited.

Jackie buried her face in his shoulder. “Thank you, for loving me so completely.”

“You’re very welcome.” Mitch chuckled. “Though, I hope you don’t mind two barns full of retired rodeo horses. When my friend, Hunter, moved to Scotland, I promised to take care of them. They’re called The Retirement Yeehaw Crew.”

She cupped his face, looking deep into his eyes. “Sounds perfect. Can we build some cabins there too and set up a wedding venue?”

He laughed. “You enjoyed working at your parents’ hotels, then?”

“I did. But I’ll enjoy it even more if it’s our venture.”

“You know I’m in for whatever life brings. We can figure it out, one day at a time.”

“Mitch from Portland, the sweetest talker in Texas.”

And then she kissed him, again, just as “Amazed” by Lonestar came on, which, in Jackie’s humble opinion, was the best track to have playing during the start of their forever.

EPILOGUE

Jackie

Two weeks later

Living in a half-finished house was not for the faint-hearted. Tins of paint were stashed haphazardly everywhere among random toolboxes and fixtures. The kitchen was the only completed room, with its beautiful high beams and matte emerald cabinets. A burgundy island took pride of place in the middle, the overhead lighting warm and whimsical. Pantry, wine cooler, double oven, huge fridge—it was everything Jackie had described to Mitch all those years ago, down to the patterned wallpaper and custom-ordered tiled backsplash.

To her absolute delight, Mitch had grown into a great cook. She loved food but had always felt more comfortable sipping wine and watching while others cooked. Ten years of living in various hotels where she hadn’t had to turn on a stove didn’t help matters.

Her favorite was still chocolate chip pancakes, which Mitch declared would be their Saturday breakfast-in-bed tradition. For now, the bed was a king-size mattress on the floor in the master bedroom, as the bathrooms took priority to complete. Good thing, too, as Mitch had insisted on hosting Dustin’s eightieth birthday at their place and organized an outside barbecue only two weeks after they moved in.

After they danced the night away at Betty’s, they ended up spending an entire weekend in a hotel room that Mitch had booked. On Monday morning, they drove to Brooke’s Plains. Jackie kept her tears at bay as she hugged Mimi, Dustin, Colt, Ali, and Kit—but when Rose ran up to her, screaming, “Auntie Jackie!” she broke into a laugh-cry that melted her heart. Sure, she had been visiting them over the years. She’d even spent some time at the ranch. But this, now? It wasn’t visiting. It was coming home. A twenty-minute drive was nothing—and she wouldn’t tell Mitch, but with her driving, it was even less than that. There would be barbecues, Thanksgivings, even coffees and dinners.

She’d been living a half-existence for the last decade and now her heart was whole again.

“Are you sure these go in here?” Colt peered into the large bowl on the island, filled with marinated ribs, to which Jackie had been adding some spices. “Maybe we should wait for Mitch, or get Mimi or Ali …”

Jackie elbowed his side. “Get your big head out of my cooking.”

Over the years, Colt grew his hair a couple of inches longer and proudly sported a thick moustache. His tattoos now formed a full sleeve on his right arm. Despite Jackie’s hopes for him, he hadn’t had much luck with love. His latest girlfriend slashed all four of his truck’s tires on her way out. That was last year, and he said he needed a break from dating.

Colt quirked an eyebrow, smirking. “You mean, Mitch’s cookin’. I hope so anyway, not sure I’d eat anythin’ you made.”

She glared at him.

He put his hands up. “Hey, just sayin’. Where is he anyway?”

“He went golfing with my dad.” She glanced up at the antique wall clock. “They should be back anytime now. I hope so anyway, I’m starving. Mimi and Dustin will be here any minute, too, and I don’t want to wait with the cake.”

Colt took a bottle of beer from the fridge. “You want one?”

Jackie shook her head. “I’ll have some wine later.”

He shrugged, snapping the cap off. “Suit yourself.”

The back door slid open, and Ali stuck her head in. “Jackie, Mimi and Dustin are here.”