Epilogue

 

Leaning back in the chair, I brought my beer to my lips and guzzled. A smile spread across my face as I took in the scene before me. Molly and Flynn desperately trying to run away from Dozer. Eli and Chase arguing over how much wood was needed to keep the fire going. And then there were the two most important women in my life huddled over the salad table.

As if she could feel my eyes on her, Harper chose that moment to look over her shoulder and smile that smile that never ceased to stop my heart. With her left hand, she pushed her hair behind her ear, the precious stones on her finger glinting in the sunlight.

Yeah, she was going to be mine in every sense of the word. I wasn’t going to ask so soon, but I wanted to replace the memory of going down to the jailhouse to see Drew for the final time with something better.

She didn’t need to, but she wanted to be there in person when he signed the divorce papers and gave up his parental rights. The ink on the paper hadn’t even had time to dry before I was slipping my ring on her finger and moving them into my house.

Never in my life had I thought I would find a woman who’d still want me after knowing I could never father a child—a parting gift from my former life—but it didn’t even matter to Harper.

“Quite the birthday gift you received this year, son.” Next to me, Pop took a big swallow of his drink.

A contented sigh blew over my lips, “Yeah, Pop. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Just then I spotted Harper and Flynn heading toward us, excitement causing our little boy to bounce rather than walk. Once she was within reaching distance, I grabbed my girl’s arm and pulled her into my lap.

Leaning in, the scent of daisies enveloped me right before I pressed my lips to the tender skin behind her ear. “You two are looking mischievous, Sugar.” I reveled in the little bumps popping up all over her skin when I whispered in her ear.

“Flynn wanted to give you your birthday present.” I still couldn’t get over all the love I saw burning in her eyes whenever she looked at me.

Pressing my lips to her ear, I asked, “And what did you get me for my birthday, hmm?”

Her eyes grew wide as her gaze flicked between a confused Flynn and a very amused Pop. Smacking the back of her hand into my chest, she shook her head and whispered, “I’ll show you later.”

Oh yeah, I like the sound of that.

“Can I give Logan my present now?” Toddler annoyance evident in his little voice.

I schooled my features and leaned forward so we were eye to eye. “What have you got for me, buddy?”

Flynn bounced on the spot before reaching behind him and producing a small brown envelope. With the brightest smile, he handed it to me.

I took the offering and gave Harper a questioning look, who in turn just shrugged her shoulders. I thought life couldn’t get better, but I was so wrong because there in my shaky hands were adoption papers.

Harper snaked her arms around me. “He loves you almost as much as I do and he really, really wants you to be his dad.”

I had no words to express what I was feeling, all I could do was wrap my family up in my arms and never let them go.