Page 329 of Rangers Last Promise

Rylie is with Trigger. Nora stands behind Wolf. The women who helped these Rangers build lives after war have joined us.

Grant’s photograph rests in the center of the bar.

The real Grant.

Smiling.

Young.

Alive.

Sheriff Tate brings out seven glasses.

He pours whiskey into six.

The seventh remains empty.

He sets it in front of Grant’s photograph.

Wolf lifts his glass.

“To Grant Ellis.”

We raise ours.

“To Grant,” we say together.

Trigger looks at the picture.

“You kept your promise, brother.”

Mara’s fingers slide between mine.

Blaze looks at me.

“So did Doc.”

My throat tightens.

“I ran away.”

“You came back,” Wolf says.

“Fifteen years late.”

Havoc shrugs.

“We’ve waited longer for Trigger to pick up a dinner check.”

Trigger looks offended.

“I bought dinner last month.”

“You used Rylie’s card.”

“We’re married. It’s our card.”

Rylie pats his shoulder.