Page 16 of Healing Her Cowboys (Silver Creek Ranch #6)
Epilogue
T he day felt brand new and invigorating to Reese. The Colonial Hearts Ranch had a slight mist of dew on the entire property. It was finally feeling more like fall as she stepped out onto the front porch.
She pulled her heavy coat closer together to keep the warmth inside. The now familiar scents of hay, horses, and nature filled her lungs, and she couldn’t think of waking up to any other place but the life she had on the ranch.
Reese closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sounds of the ranch fill her, feeling a quiet happiness settle over her. Life had become more than she’d ever expected—a place of belonging, love, and peace.
She looked up at the sky and quietly thanked her parents. Although Atlas and Brik would never get to meet them, she knew her mom and dad would have loved them just as much as she did.
As she made her way to the stables, she saw Atlas and Brik already at work, talking as they checked the fencing along the outer fields. They spotted her, Atlas giving her a bright smile and Brik’s gaze softening in a way that still made her heart flutter and her body ache.
This was their life now, their family, bound not just by the ranch but by the shared journey they’d taken together. A journey of redemption and healing that still had some time to develop, but time that wouldn’t have happened without them finding each other.
Reaching the stables, she walked down the aisle toward the stall that housed the young filly, now lively and curious as ever. She pranced around with full confidence and without a care in the world.
Reese hoped their kids would remain that innocent for as long as possible. She already knew both men would be great fathers, and she couldn’t wait to see what features their future kids would have.
The little horse’s energy filled the stable as she danced around her mother, her dark eyes bright with excitement.
“Hey there, little one,” Reese said, reaching out to scratch behind her ears. The filly whinnied in response, nudging her hand and giving her a look that was both playful and mischievous.
Atlas stepped into the stable, joining her at Lori’s stall. “She’s got a lot of spirit, doesn’t she?” he said with a grin, reaching over to pat the filly’s neck.
“So much that I think Lori is exhausted already,” Reese said with a chuckle.
Lori seemed to agree with her neighing response.
“She reminds me of someone you talked about,” Reese said quietly, glancing up at Atlas. “Someone who didn’t have a simple path but who was still brave until the end.”
Brik joined them then, his gaze curious as he watched her with the filly. “You thinking about naming her?”
She smiled, nodding. “Let’s name her after Tony’s brother, Brendan. To honor him. He was part of Atlas’s squad, and even though things turned out the way they did with Tony, I want something good to come out of everything.”
“You want to name her Brendan?” Brik asked.
“No, silly. Brenda. I think we should call her Brenda.”
Atlas’s eyes looked over at the newly named horse, his hand resting on her shoulder in quiet approval. “I think that’s a good choice, Reese. Brendan would be proud.”
Atlas’s gaze grew distant, but a soft smile tugged at his lips.
“Brendan was a good man. Brave and loyal. This filly, she’s got that same spirit.
” He reached over and squeezed Reese’s shoulder with gratitude and understanding in his expression.
“Thank you, Reese. I think that’s a perfect name for her. ”
The three of them stood together, a peaceful silence settling over them as they watched the filly, Brenda, run around the stall, still annoying poor Lori, who only wanted to eat her breakfast in peace.
As they turned to leave, Reese paused, looking back at Brenda one last time with a warmth spreading through her. She knew that life on the ranch wouldn’t always be easy. There would be challenges and moments of doubt between them.
Still, she also knew that the three of them would face it all together. She knew her men loved her, and she loved them in return. That love and compassion would carry them through whatever waited ahead for them.
“Have you thought about what you want to do as a nurse?” Atlas asked. “I’m sure there are lots of places that would love to have you.”
“Actually, I talked to Jason and May. Jason really could use some extra help at his practice, and who knows? Maybe I’ll run over to May’s office to help her now and then, too. Animals are growing on me.”
Brik looked disappointed. “Are you saying I won’t have my in-house nurse anymore? I got to share you with others now?”
Atlas laughed. “You already have to share her with me.”
“That’s not the same thing, and you know it,” Brik said.
Reese smiled with a mischievous glint in her eye. “How about I make it up to you every night I come home?”
A smile finally grew on Brik’s face. “Can we start tonight?”
“I’m not even working away from home yet.”
Brik lifted her over his shoulder, and she squealed. “I’ll take any part of you I can get,” he said. “No time like the present.”
Reese peered over at Atlas for help.
Atlas held his hands up. “Don’t look at me. This is one of those times I agree with him. We’re going to take every part of you we can get, so you better get ready, cowgirl.”
Reese tried to act annoyed, but she was far from it. She was more than ready for everything they offered her, and forever would never be nearly enough.