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If I do it right, it’ll be the best life imaginable.

Emmie goes runningthrough the door ahead of us. She disappears into Momma’s kitchen before we can even get the door closed.

“There you are.” I hear Momma call. When I round the corner, I see Emmie wrapped up in Momma’s arms for a big hug.

“Sorry, we’re late, Momma.” I kiss the top of her head. “We went riding today and stayed out later than anticipated.”

“That’s okay.” She pats my cheek and smiles. “You’re here now.” She turns to Jessica and gives her the same hug. “Everyone is already around the dinner table. Why don’t you go ahead and join them?”

I nod and lift Jessica’s hand to my lips as I lead her away from the kitchen.

“Uncle Adam.” I hear Emmie cry out in joy followed by a loudoomph. That girl never could restrain herself where Adam is concerned.

“Hey, munchkin. Where’s your dad?” Adam asks.

“I’m right here.” I say as I walk up behind him with Jessica in hand.

Adam lifts Emmie up in his arms and hugs her close. “I was beginning to think you three weren’t going to make it.”

“And deal with Momma’s wrath? Never.” The room erupts with laughter. Not because what I said was particularly funny. But because they all know I’m right. None of us were allowed to miss Sunday dinner at Momma’s without a really good excuse.

“Sorry, you can blame me,” Jessica says as she wraps her armaround my waist. “We were having such a nice ride today. I didn’t want it to end. Plus, it was a special day for Emmie.” Jessica reaches out and tugs at a strand of Emmie’s hair. “Tell everyone what you got to do today, sweetheart.”

I tense beside her and let out a low growl. “For the record, I was completely against this.”

Jessica laughs and playfully slaps my chest. “Oh hush, let Emmie tell them.”

Emmie’s smile grows and she wiggles in Adam’s arms. “Jessica let me ride Flight today.All by myself.” Her smile grows and she kicks her feet in excitement. “I rode my very first big horse, and I didn’t get hurt.”

The room breaks out in a series of whoops and cheers. With each congratulations and declaration of how big she’s getting, Emmie’s smile grows bigger and bigger. I lean down and whisper in Jessica’s ear. “You do realize there is no turning back now. She’s never going to let up on me until I get her a big horse of her very own.”

Jessica’s grin turns mischievous. “Yep. And I’m gonna enjoy every single second of it.”

I growl, mostly for show, and kiss her lips. I’ll always worry about Emmie, but I can’t deny she’s a very capable rider for such a little girl. And with Jessica by my side to help her with her riding skills, I know Emmie will be just fine.

We take our seats at the table. Emmie hops from person to person telling them each individually about her ride on Flight. And everyone listens to her with rapt attention like it’s the first time they’ve heard her tell the story.

Momma finishes setting all the food on the table and takes her seat at the end. I look at Jessica and smile. Finally, she’s right where she belongs, and I have everything I ever wanted.

I lean over and whisper in her ear. “Thank you.”

She looks up at me with a raised brow. “For what?”

I kiss her below her ear before I continue. “For coming back to me. For making my life complete and perfect.”

Her eyes gloss over as she cups my cheek with her hand. She lightly kisses me with a smile. “You’re my soulmate. Despite how hard I tried, it was kinda hard staying away.”

“I’m glad.” I kiss her once more before I turn back to my family. Adam is watching us with a smile on his face. My eyes meet his and he lifts his beer to me with a nod. I do the same. We don’t need to exchange words. Our silent acknowledgment is all we need to let the other know how happy we are to finally find the one we intend to spend the rest of our lives with.

EPILOGUE

MATTHEW

Thanksgiving

The smell of roasted turkey has my mouth watering, and the sound of my family laughing and enjoying the holiday has me smiling.

Joseph is cutting up with Sam in the dining room, something about some girls they picked up last night at Stocks and Stables. I shake my head but can’t stop from smiling. He and Sam have a lot of fun together outside work. I’m glad Joseph has a friend besides us to count on, but I wish he would find a woman he cares enough about to settle down. He acts tough, but he has a huge heart and so much love to give. It would be nice if he shared that with someone special.