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Two Years Later
“Come back here, little lady!” Savvy called, laughter bubbling up as she lifted the hem of her skirts and took off across the yard.
Her daughter, a curly-haired, golden-brown blur, squealed with delight as she darted through the crowd, her chubby legs moving as fast as they could. The summer sun gleamed off her wild ringlets, and her blue eyes—so much like her grandfather’s—sparkled with mischief.
“Caroline Grace Harding, you get back here this instant!”
The toddler giggled, dodging between barrels and picnic blankets as guests from all over Santa Fe and beyond enjoyed the Fourth of July celebration. The entire ranch had been transformed into a lively festival, with banners of red, white, and blue strung across the porch, tables laden with fresh pies, and the smell of roasted beef and cornbread filling the air.
“I think she’s got more fire than you ever did at that age,” Carson called from where he stood near the house, his arms crossed over his broad chest, eyes twinkling with amusement.
Savannah huffed as she stopped to catch her breath. “That’s saying something, considering how much trouble I used to get into.”
“You still do,” Caleb said dryly from beside Carson, his lips twitching. He held a tiny bundle against his chest, wrapped snug in a blue blanket. Their son.
Savvy gave her husband a look before stepping toward him, placing a hand against their baby’s tiny back. “And yet, you married me anyway.”
Caleb’s gaze softened as he looked down at her. “Best decision I ever made.”
Before she could reply, a shriek of laughter had her whipping her head around. Caroline had taken a turn straight into Harley, who caught her midair and hoisted her up effortlessly.
“Whoa there, darlin’! Where are you running off to?”
Caroline wiggled in his grasp, giggling as she reached for his hat.
“Trying to get away from me, that’s where,” Savvy muttered, walking over as Harley settled Caroline against his hip.
“She’s fast,” Harley admitted with a grin, then looked down at the baby in his other arm. The one-year-old boy, his and Lily’s son, had barely stirred at the commotion, content in his father’s embrace. “You’re gonna have your hands full when she’s old enough to ride.”
Savannah took Caroline from him and propped her on her hip. “She’s already got her eye on every horse in the barn.”
“Runs in the family,” Carson said, chuckling.
Savvy turned her attention back to her husband. “And what about this one?” She brushed a finger along her baby boy’s cheek. He stirred slightly, making a soft cooing sound before settling again.
“John Thomas Harding,” Caleb said, his voice filled with quiet pride. “He’s going to be a handful too, just like his mama.”
Savvy snorted. “Just like his papa, you mean.”
The sound of music and laughter swirled around them, and as Savvy stood there, surrounded by her loved ones, she knew—life was good.
“Savvy! There you are!”
Lily’s voice carried over the cheerful hum of conversation, and Savvy turned just in time to see her best friend approaching. In her arms, she carried a plump, sleepy-eyed one-year-old boy who had clearly been dozing.
“Oh, Lily, look at him,” Savvy cooed as she reached out and smoothed the little boy’s soft brown curls. “He’s getting so big.”
Lily grinned as she adjusted her hold on her son. “Tell me about it. Feels like just yesterday I was holding a tiny baby, and now he’s a squirming handful. This one will be walking soon, and then I’ll never sit down again.”
Harley sidled up beside his wife, chuckling. “You’ll manage, darlin’. You’re tougher than me most days.”
Savvy glanced between the two little boys in Lily and Harley’s arms. They were nearly identical, twin boys named after their fathers. One was cradled against Harley’s chest, and the other rested against Lily, both with drowsy, cherubic expressions.
“I still can’t believe you managed twins,” Savvy teased.
“I can’t either,” Lily said with a laugh. “But heaven help me, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
“Did I hear someone talking about twins?” Carson strode over, grinning as he took in the sight of the two babies. “Now there’s a pair that’s going to cause trouble one day.”
Harley let out a breath. “You ain’t wrong.”
“I think they’ll be just fine,” Savvy said, bouncing Caroline on her hip. “They’ll have plenty of cousins to keep them in line.”
Caleb, who had been standing quietly beside her, smirked. “That depends. If they take after their mothers, they’ll be wild little things. If they take after us, they’ll be proper gentlemen.”
Savvy shot him an amused look. “Proper gentlemen, huh?”
Caleb nodded solemnly. “Like me.”
Harley snorted. “Since when?”
The group burst into laughter, and even Caroline let out a delighted squeal, reaching for Caleb. He obliged, taking her from Savvy’s arms and holding her securely.
“I’m going to set up a spot near the oak tree,” Savvy said, glancing at Lily. “Come sit with me?”
Lily nodded. “Absolutely.”
The two women stepped away, making their way toward the large oak that provided shade over part of the yard. They spread out a quilt near the base of the tree, where they could watch the festivities unfold. Caleb and Harley remained nearby, talking with Carson, while the children played at their feet.
Savvy exhaled as she settled onto the blanket. She looked out over the ranch—the cattle grazing peacefully in the pastures beyond, the house standing strong, and the barn freshly painted. This was home.
“You look content,” Lily observed softly.
Savvy nodded, her eyes shining. “I am.”
Savvy leaned back on her hands, feeling the warmth of the earth beneath the quilt. The laughter and music of the celebration drifted over them, blending with the rustling leaves of the great oak tree.
Lily adjusted her son in her lap and sighed contentedly. “It’s hard to believe how much has changed in just two years.”
Savvy followed her gaze toward the house, where Caleb and Harley stood beside Carson, deep in conversation. Nearby, Marty and Zeke were helping to set up fireworks, while children ran around in circles, chasing each other with sticks that had been turned into pretend horses.
“It feels like a lifetime ago we were on that cattle drive,” Savvy mused.
Lily shuddered. “I still have nightmares about it sometimes.”
Savvy reached out and squeezed her friend’s hand. “Me too. But look at where we are now.” She smiled as she watched Caroline toddle toward Caleb, her little arms outstretched. He scooped her up effortlessly, pressing a kiss to her curls.
Lily followed her gaze. “He’s a good man, Savvy.”
Savvy nodded. “The best.”
A shadow fell over them, and Savvy looked up to find Caleb standing there, Caroline perched on his hip.
“You ladies plotting something?” he asked, amused.
“Maybe,” Savvy teased, shielding her eyes from the sun as she looked up at him.
Caleb smirked and extended a hand to help her up. “Come on, Mrs. Harding. I’ve been standing over there long enough watching you. Thought I’d come steal you away for a bit.”
Savvy laughed but took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. “I suppose I can spare a moment.”
Lily rolled her eyes with a knowing grin. “Go on, then. I’ll keep an eye on John for you.”
Savvy leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her baby boy’s forehead before letting Lily take him. “Thank you.”
Caleb still had her hand in his as they walked a short distance from the gathering, their arms swinging slightly between them. The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting golden light over the land.
“It’s a good day,” Caleb murmured.
Savvy glanced up at him. “It is.”
His free hand came up to cup her cheek. “I never thought I’d have this, Savvy. A family. A home. For so long, I thought I’d spend my life chasing outlaws and sleeping under the stars.”
She smiled softly, leaning into his touch. “You’re not a bounty hunter anymore.”
“No,” he agreed. “I’m a husband, a father, and a rancher. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Savvy wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest. “I love you, Caleb.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “I love you too, darlin’. More than anything.”
As they stood there, wrapped in each other, the sounds of the celebration carrying through the air, Savvy knew with certainty—this was where they were meant to be.
The sound of a firework whistling into the sky made Savvy glance back toward the ranch yard. A burst of golden light filled the sky, followed by the delighted cheers of the crowd. She smiled, then turned her attention back to Caleb, who was watching her with an expression so full of love that it made her heart squeeze.
“You know,” she said, shifting their son into her arms, “Carson told me today that I don’t have to go on another cattle drive.”
Caleb raised an eyebrow. “And what did you say to that?”
Savvy smirked. “I told him he’s got another thing coming if he thinks I’m staying behind.”
Caleb chuckled, shaking his head. “That doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
They started walking back toward the party, their steps unhurried. Caleb’s free arm came around her waist, drawing her close. “I wouldn’t have you any other way, Savvy.”
She tilted her head to look at him. “No?”
“No.” His voice was low, filled with quiet certainty. “You’re stubborn, wild, and the most incredible woman I’ve ever known. I’d be a fool to try and change you.”
Savvy smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. “Good answer, Harding.”
Ahead of them, Lily and Harley sat on a blanket, rocking their sleeping twins. Carson stood nearby, deep in conversation with Zeke and Marty, while children chased fireflies around the yard. The ranch was alive with laughter, music, and the easy joy of people who had endured hardship together and come out stronger for it.
Savvy let out a contented sigh as she and Caleb reached the others. She handed John back to Lily and then turned toward Caleb, her arms wrapping around his middle. Caroline reached for her father, and Caleb lifted her onto his shoulders, making her squeal with delight.
As the next firework exploded above them, bathing the ranch in brilliant light, Savvy leaned into her husband, her heart full.
“This is it,” she murmured.
Caleb glanced down at her. “What is?”
She smiled up at him. “Everything I ever wanted.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Me too, darlin’.”
And as the fireworks continued to paint the night sky, Savannah and Caleb Harding stood together, surrounded by family, love, and the promise of a future as bright as the stars above them.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Courageous Hearts of the West", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello, my dear readers. I hope you enjoyed the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments below. Thank you!
Great story. Once I started it I couldn’t put in down Fast moving and interesting. Tell me about your other GREAT STORIES.
Glad you enjoyed the story! Just to help me give the best answer, could you let me know which book you’re referring to? That way I can share more about other stories by the same author that match the tone and style you loved.
This was a great story. It had a few twists and the spunky Savannah (Savvy) learned the hard way that getting one’s way wasn’t always the best way. Caleb,a bounty hunter and cattle mover sparred with her while trying to protect her on a cattle drive and the love bug but while the sparks flew.
The EE was great also.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Great story
My dear Nancy, thank you for your review. I am glad you enjoyed it!
Gaps in the writing b ut a great story,even better ending. Thanks cowboy
Thanks so much for reading and for the kind words! I really appreciate the feedback—definitely working on tightening up those gaps. Glad the ending hit the mark for you. 🤠 Appreciate you, partner!
“Her hear leaped to her throat.”
“began dusting her dress” “water leaked out the sides of her mouth and splashed down the front of her dress”
“She hadn’t changed into her dress that day, so there was no way to distinguish her from the other riders.”
Loved the story, must a few thing that need clarified. She had pants for the drive
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you loved the story! And you’re absolutely right—thank you for catching those details. I really appreciate your careful reading and feedback; I’ll be sure to smooth out those clarifications!
Loved the book. Great characters. Good ending. You must have been tired on the epilogue.. Those babies were moving back and forth in odd ways. But would definitely read more of your books.
Thank you so much for the kind review! I’m thrilled you loved the characters and the ending. I have more stories on the way and would love to have you along for them. Thank you for reading!