Page 113 of The Last One You Loved

He picked her up, swung her around, and said, “McKenna is coming home with us.”

She rolled her eyes at Maddox. “I know, Daddy. She already said that.”

“You know what that makes this Christmas, right?” he asked.

She put both her hands on his face and screamed, “Only thebestChristmasever!”

It was. Not just the best Christmas, but the very best life.

EPILOGUE

MADDOX

ALL FOR YOU

“My arms still hold you tight,

keep you warm in the coldest night.

My hand to pull your hair right back away from your eyes.”

Performed by Keith Urban

Written by Eaton / Busbee

NOVEMBER 7th THE FOLLOWING YEAR

A year ago,I’d come home to my little girl and fallen asleep in an empty bed, thinking of the woman who’d gotten away. The one who’d ridden out of town and left this cowboy behind with a partially functioning heart and a slew of memories I didn’t mess with. Today, my life and my heart were so full it was almost sinful, and McK and I were building brand-new, beautiful memories?brighter, deeper ones.

Only one thing was the same today as it had been last year, and that was me at McFlannigan’s, wrestling Willy to the ground.

“I’m taking you to jail this time, Willy,” I said as I cuffed his hands behind him and searched the ground for my hat. “And you owe me another goddamn hat.”

Willy cried. “She’s getting married, Maddox. To the suit.”

“It’s Sheriff Hatley to you, dumbass.”

I helped him up and looked at my brother leaning nonchalantly against the bar, arms across his chest and a cheesy grin on his face.

I tipped my chin in his direction. “And you…thanks for the help, yet again!”

He shrugged. “They didn’t elect me sheriff.”

“I don’t have time for this. I have to get back to the house,” I said, pushing Willy toward the door.

I had plans tonight that meant I needed to beat McK home. She’d been lucky to find a hospital in the next county willing to take her on so she could finish up her residency, but it meant a bit of a commute. She said it didn’t matter, that being here with us while she was lucky enough to do the job she loved was what was important, but I still didn’t like it. I wanted her close because I was a selfish bastard when it came to my girls.

Ryder followed me and Willy out the door.

“You really going to do it tonight?” Ryder asked me as I tucked Willy into the back of my work truck.

I looked over at him, and there was concern in his eyes.

“Yep,” I responded without a hint of nervousness.

He ran a hand over his stubble.

“Just spit it out, Ryder,” I growled.