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TWO MONTHS LATER…

Odessa stood over the gravesite. “You’re not going to believe it,” she whispered. “I did it. I got married. To Thane.” She twisted her wedding band around before tentatively reaching out and running her finger across the words on her parents’ shared tombstone. “And you’re going to be grandparents, but I haven’t told him that yet. He’s going to freak out. Like fall off his rocker, freak out. His mom knows. I couldn’t keep that from her, especially since her illness is getting worse. I fear she doesn’t have too much longer with us.” She glanced over her shoulder, smiled, and waved at her handsome husband who strolled down the path.

He nearly died two months ago.

She would have never forgiven herself if that happened.

But all was right in the world.

Rufus had his company back and was doing well. Some people didn’t trust him, but given time, that would change. And he was dating.

Leslie Anne, of all people.

But she was a victim like everyone else.

And, as it turned it, was super sweet.

Go figure.

Heath, well, he was in prison. The judge was lenient, and eventually, he’d get out. And thanks to Heath, Grant was sentenced to prison for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole. His crimes went much further than they had initially thought, and Rufus and Heath made sure the cops had what they needed.

“Hey, babe, sorry I’m late.” Thane leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Having a nice visit?”

“I am. How did things go with your mom at the doctor’s?”

Thane ran a hand across his mouth. “Not that great and she’s being super stubborn about selling the house. But she knows we have to. She can’t do stairs anymore.”

“Did you tell her I got my parents’ house back?” When Thane learned that Grant had sold her house to an LLC who intended on renovating and renting, he jumped through hoops to buy it back. At first, it was annoying, but only because she wanted to buy it herself. To be independent. But she realized being in a relationship with Thane—being married to him—didn’t take away from her independence at all. If anything, he gave her back her freedom.

Thane nodded. “That knowledge and the fact that it’s got a bedroom on the first floor for her is the only reason she’s agreeing to letting me put the family home up for sale. Though, I did have to call Asher.”

“Ouch. Both her boys ganging up on her. That’s not nice. And here I thought I was going to have to pull out the grandparent card.” She took his hand and placed it on her stomach.

“Haha. Only my brother can do that and it doesn’t work, because her grandkids only come…” His gaze dropped to her midsection. “You’re… You’re… We’re… We’re…”

“Having trouble spitting that out?” She laughed.

“You know, my mom kept saying weird things about that one small room at the top of the stairs in your parents’ house and how it would make for a great nursery.” He waggled his finger under her nose. “You told my mama we’re going to have a baby before you told me?”

“Of course I did.” She wrapped her arms around his strong shoulders. “Are you mad?”

“Absolutely not.” He kissed her nose. “I’m the happiest man on the planet. I have the best wife and now I’m going to be a… Holy shit. I’m going to be a dad. That’s crazy. What the hell do I know about being a father? I’m probably going to drop the kid on its head.”

“I doubt that.” She smiled. “You’ll figure it and you’ll be great.” For the first time in what felt like her entire life, Odessa knew exactly what she wanted out of life. She wasn’t searching for anything. It had always been right in front of her.