Epilogue

Valentine’s Day

“I can’t tell you how honored I am that you’re allowing me to do this.”

Sanford Paxton smiled tenderly at Merritt as the electric stair chair came to a gliding halt at the base of the Paxton house staircase. Merritt accepted his hand and rose from the seat. He had the chair installed because she’d told him that the timing wasn’t right for her to undergo surgery at this time. Since his doctors had recommended he think of a bedroom on the main floor if he refused to have live-in help, Sanford assured Merritt it was for him, too.

“We’re the blessed ones,” she told him, rising on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “For all you’ve done and for coming into our lives.”

He blinked hard and stepped back to admire her. “You look like an angel.”

For the first time, Merritt believed it. The white-lace, floor-length gown, with its narrow shirt and long sleeves, was ultrafeminine and flattered her slender shape. Her dark hair was brushed to a glow and tied over her left shoulder by matching lace enhanced by a white rose. Her diamond stud earrings and the garnet and diamond heart were the “something new” from Sanford and Cain—a Valentine’s surprise—and her “something old” was the small white Bible Alvie lent her. It had been a gift to her child at her christening, and wrapped around it with white and red ribbon was the daintiest bouquet of red and white tea roses.

Life was good and getting better. Cain was enjoying his work at the ranch and growing to be more comfortable around his grandfather. They’d hit a bump or two over the last two months, but it was mostly out of Sanford’s enthusiasm to help with their plans for the future. He had again tried to convince them to move to the ranch, but after discussing it, Cain told him that he wanted Merritt to have an easier commute to the café for now.

“Thank you,” Merritt said, stroking his hand. She thought he looked dashing in his gray evening suit. “How are you feeling?”

“Ready for champagne.” Sanford winked at her.

She knew he was teasing her. He had followed the specialists’ advice to the nth degree regarding his health. That was proof that he treasured this new lease on life and wanted to share in every minute he was given.

“Let’s get this done,” he added, offering his arm.

Merritt pulled him back gently. “There’s something I wanted to say first. Something you need to know. I told Cain I wanted to wait until this moment to put your mind at rest. The reason I’m delaying the operation? It isn’t work. Just before I was due to have the surgery, I discovered I was pregnant. I felt, we felt, it was much safer for the baby that we wait until afterward.”

“Pregnant.” Sanford embraced her as gently as if she was spun glass. “Oh, darling girl. When?”

“Late August.”

“I can’t wait. I’m so pleased.”

Kissing her cheek, he led her proudly to the parlor. As soon as the door opened, the music began, played by one of the hands—a fiddle player. Merritt looked immediately through the small gathering of perhaps twenty people—Alvie and Leroy and mostly the hands at the ranch with their spouses—and locked gazes with Cain.

She reached out to clasp Alvie’s hand on the walk up. Then at the end of the short distance, Sanford gave her hand to Cain.

“I can’t tell you how happy and grateful I am for you both. Congratulations.”

As she and Cain squeezed each other’s hands, they smiled. Merritt thought he looked nothing short of captivating in his new charcoal-gray suit and silver-and-gold-striped tie. His gaze made it clear that he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. But as someone cleared their throat impatiently, they grinned and faced the minister.

Pastor Brannigan was from Alvie and Leroy’s church. The slight, elderly man nodded in welcome and approval and began, “Dearly beloved…”

As Merritt and Cain gazed peacefully into each other’s eyes, they jointly said, “Yes.”

Minutes later it was done. Even before Cain could kiss his bride, the ranch hands were whistling and the other guests were clapping. Merritt saw Alvie dabbing at her eyes and Leroy hugging her against him.

“Mrs. Paxton,” Cain murmured against her lips.

It was the perfect Valentine’s Day. The first time she’d given the holiday more than a thought. They accepted congratulations and hugs, and made their way to the cake and champagne. Sanford had wanted to throw a big catered party followed by an extravagant honeymoon, but she and Cain had wanted to keep things as low-key as possible. This was just the formality of what was already in their hearts.

Their idea of a perfect honeymoon was going to be the weekend alone at the cottage with no alarm clocks forcing them out of bed before dawn and no deadlines or chores unless they wanted to do them. This was their time to linger over meals they would make together and to celebrate their love.

Sanford had been dejected at first. Now, as they cut the two-tiered heart-shaped cake with the red roses, his expression was serene, his understanding complete.

As Merritt watched Cain lick icing off of her finger, she must have had a knowing twinkle in her eye because he leaned close to her ear and asked, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Escape and spend the rest of the day just the two of us?”

“Just the three of us,” he amended, sneaking a soft kiss below her ear while he brushed her stomach.

“Let’s do it.”

And as they made way for Alvie to take over portioning out cake and Leroy called everyone over as he poured champagne, the circle around the table closed, allowing Merritt and Cain to slip out the front door—and into their lives together.

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