Epilogue

Epilogue

Jackie couldn’t believe how quickly her friends had packed up her San Antonio apartment and got her situated at the Sweet Meadows Ranch.

The Wylder clan had folded in around her, making sure her father didn’t lose his reserved spot in the Sweet Hills Memory Care Facility. She’d never been fussed over so thoroughly in all her life, and knew it wasn’t just because she was a Wylder-to-be. They were her family and had been for years.

It looked like chasing Cole all her life had paid off in more ways than one.

Levi had offered to clear out the office that had once been Cole’s room, so she could stay in it. But knowing she wouldn’t spend a single night in there—at least not alone—she told him it was fine; she’d bunk with Cole in Brant’s old room. Then she’d given Cole a gigantic kiss in case anyone had missed the fact that the two of them were stepping down their own little path to a happily ever after.

Myles had rolled his eyes and declared he was moving out.

It had been a month so far, and he hadn’t yet. Each morning at breakfast, Jackie asked if today was the day he’d propose to Karen. So far he hadn’t done that yet, either.

But she knew it was coming soon, just like the small pre-built home she and Cole had on order and would sit on the other side of the holly hedge, next door to Carmichael's.

As for Ryan, he was over at Carly’s more nights than he was at the ranch. It looked like something might be brewing there, too.

Jackie and Goose had blended right into ranch life, making themselves at home as well as useful when Owen Lancaster had unexpectedly quit. She hadn’t been able to pry anything out of the former hired hand other than that he’d been made an offer he couldn’t refuse, and she’d soon hear all about it.

As for Goose, he wasn’t much of a herding dog, but he was definitely happier running with the other dogs, dragging grass and dust into the house in his shaggy coat each evening.

And Cole’s new puppy from Brant had eaten only about a third of her footwear so far, so the young lab-retriever was learning. A bit slowly for her liking, though.

From the ranch Jackie was only a twenty-two-minute drive from her father, who had settled in fairly easily, charming the staff and already taming a squirrel to eat out of his hand when he sat under the ground’s large oaks.

He was doing well, and so was she.

And so was Cole.

Soon they would pick a date for their wedding and things would get crazy with preparations. She hoped he was prepared for a gigantic event with everyone she knew helping them celebrate.

She had finally found her happily ever after, the love of her life, and she hoped that during the coming football season she could find that same love for her friends Jenny, Violet and Daisy-Mae.

Because everyone deserved love like she and Cole had.

She hadn’t gone back to her job at the feed store, instead finding a position with the community college’s breeding study. The mayor and his wife Donna were delighted, handing her boxes of paperwork that they’d been managing, and Jackie had gladly dug in. Spending time with Cole, Levi, Brant and April on the project while out in the Texas sun worked well for her. She didn’t miss sitting at a desk, although she missed the constant interruption of townsfolk clomping up the stairs to stop by her office.

Then again, she’d told everyone on the ranch that auction day—every second Friday—was important to her new job, and they could find her in the diner those mornings. She’d be there picking brains and eavesdropping on various ranchers talking about breeding bulls. It was really just an excuse to enjoy Mrs. Fisher’s special pie of the day and get her fill of people.

As well, several days a week she found herself there with Cole, sitting at the back counter enjoying a Wylder special and starting new rumors around town. Sort of like this morning.

She lifted her cup of coffee as their meals arrived, and Cole raised his, clinking it against hers in a well-practiced toast. She took a sip, then set her cup down and leaned over, kissing her fiancé. The kiss turned deeper and Mrs. Fisher cleared her throat.

“A kiss like that? Hmm.” Garfield Goodwin raised his bushy white eyebrows at Mrs. Fisher. “Takes you back, doesn’t it?”

The waitress turned to him. “You and I never kissed, Garfield.”

“Not for my lack of trying,” he teased.

She gave him a stern frown. “Have you met my twin sister? She lives in Dallas.” She pointed to a woman sitting at the end of the counter, who had similar blond hair piled high and the same perky energy.

Garfield pivoted on his stool, eyes widening.

“She’s single and has heard a lot about you,” Mrs. Fisher said, as her sister turned their way, her smile big and bright.

Garfield’s eyes sparkled as he slipped off his stool and stepped toward her, extending his hand. “Garfield Goodwin at your service, my dear.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” the woman purred. “Are you single, honey?”

“I’ve been waiting all my life for the right woman to come walking through that diner door. Want to join me for lunch and see if you’re her?”

Mrs. Fisher’s sister allowed Garfield to lead her to their own table near the front of the restaurant.

From her spot on the stool beside Jackie, Daisy-Mae rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Is Cupid ever going to find me in this town or do I need to move somewhere else?”

“He’ll find you,” Jackie assured her. “I can feel it.”

“Can I make a request? Because I have my eye on someone.”

Jackie sucked in an excited breath. “Tell me!”

“No way.” Her friend lowered her eyebrows. “You can still work your matchmaking magic without me telling you who it is.”

Jackie nodded, fairly certain she knew exactly who Daisy-Mae had set her sights on. A guy who would knock her socks off.

Cole wrapped his arm around Jackie. “It’s a good thing I sat behind you at all those games, isn’t it? Imagine how lonely we’d be otherwise.”

She laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder. “You know, I was thinking…”

He gave her a quick kiss as she straightened again.

“If you like me, Cole Wylder, you may as well walk me down the aisle soon and save yourself starting rumors that you’re stringing me along.”

He gave her an incredulous look. “It hasn’t even been a month!” He held out her hand, displaying the antique ring on her finger. “And I got you a ring within twenty-four hours of proposing.”

“Thanks to your father,” Jackie said with a smile.

Cole sighed, acting as though he was put out.

“Now, a wedding sounds like a fine plan,” Mrs. Fisher said, as she came by again with her coffeepot. “If you start planning now, you could have a lovely fall wedding.” She topped up Jackie’s cup while eyeing her midriff, on the lookout for a baby bump.

Jackie rubbed her stomach, saying, “Not yet, Mrs. Fisher. I plan to do things in order.”

“Well, don’t wait too long. We could use some excitement around here now that all the Wylder boys have finally found love. We need someone to start working on the next generation of folks to fill this diner. You know what I mean?” the waitress asked, eyeing Jackie again.

“I think that’s a brilliant idea, and I might know just the woman for the job,” Jackie declared.

“You do?” Cole asked, looking a bit pale.

“I do.” She leaned in, giving him a long sweet kiss that was full of happily ever after.

When they broke apart, he was smiling. “Can I order a set of twins? I’ve always thought they’d be fun.”

Jackie laughed. Some men were worth waiting for. And sometimes real life was even better than some dusty old fantasy crush.

Thank you for reading THE COWBOY’S SURPRISE RETURN. I hope you loved Cole and Jackie’s story! Want more Sweetheart Creek? Did you read Cole’s mom’s story, SWEET JOYMAKER? Find out how Maria found love a during a pre-Christmas vacation to Indigo Bay.

Maria’s used to taking care of everyone else, but what’s a gal to do when someone from back home follows her on vacation and is intent on making her feel cared for?

Click to start reading SWEET JOYMAKER!

“I loved the surprise Clint and her boys had for her for Christmas.” —Reader Rebecca’s review.

IT’S AWESOME! …so fun I’ll be reading it over again every December. —Donna’s Bookshelf

Already devoured SWEET JOYMAKER and want to read about another close family like the Wylders? Have you read The Summer Sisters series yet? Start with FALLING FOR THE MOVIE STAR!

Nature photographer Hailey Summer is secretly trying to save the family’s 100-year-old cottage from a tax sale and turns her camera’s viewfinder on visiting movie star Finian Alexander in hopes of making a fast buck. But when destiny puts her in the tabloids instead of money in her pocket, a whole new world of trouble unravels for Hailey and her sisters in this completed five-book series. Start reading FALLING FOR THE MOVIE STAR today!