Page 60 of Wildest Forever (Lovelock Bay #3)

MORGAN

FIVE YEARS LATER

P eace radiates over Lovelock Bay and Blossom Cove; sure, there will always be threats, but the main one is diminished. Kelcie, Lucian and Wallen are buried in the ground.

The suits put behind bars and Dixie’s dad and Marty, join the others six feet under.

The war was won and it was won by The Riveras.

All is fair in love and war, and that was the truth.

At least for all of us anyway.

Standing in the sunflower field, my fingers dust across the petals. A warmth radiates through my body and that's how I know I made the right choice.

A year after everything happened, we made the decision to sell the cattle. I knew I wanted more from the ranch and my pops’ legacy, and I knew he deserved more than the cattle ranch. Pacey stood by my side every step of the way, and with the help of him and our family, Pops Ranch was born.

For a young girl who grew up here, in the beauty that is my home, I wanted to give children that same feeling.

I had tossed the idea around for a fair while and once I had my mind settled, I told Pacey my dreams and of course, he helped me soar with them.

Our summer camp had been running for a little over three years now and we were booked two years in advanced.

I truly thought me and kids would never work, but here I am, living proof that your dreams will always find you.

I believe my pops knew what I needed and that's why he was so against the ranch being sold.

“Mama,” I hear her voice and spin to see her running towards me, curly blonde hair pinned back with a dusty blue bow, hazel eyes and apple cheeks, dressed in dirty denim overalls and a white tee.

“Hey baby girl,” I crouch down and pick her up, holding her close to me.

“Me and daddy made lunch,” she says sweetly, her hands on my cheeks.

“Did you now?” I smile warmly at her and she nods.

“Daddy said my grilled cheese is better than yours,” and she giggles as she looks over her shoulder and teases her daddy.

“I don't think I did say that now did I, Jorgie?”

She shrugs her shoulders, a cheeky grin on her face.

“Come on, let’s get inside, your cousins will be here soon,” I place a kiss on her cheek and set her down.

She runs off towards the gate and I close the steps between me and him.

“We made it,” I sigh on a blissful note.

“We did baby,” his arms tucks over my shoulder as we walk down to the house, my head on his shoulder and I have never felt more content than I do now.

PACEY

I watch on as the family all sit in the living room, the kids playing on the floor.

“Look how happy ma is,” I say, leaning against the doorframe as Riggs swigs a mouthful of beer.

“I know,” I nod as I look forward.

Ma is sitting on the floor, Megan—Dixie and Tripp’s daughter—on her lap.

Jorgie plays with Lainey and Aspen sits in Gerry's armchair, their son, Bodhi in her arms as she sings him a sweet lullaby and Tripp and Dixie sit on the sofa, his hand on her bump.

Dusty and Marsha stand in the corner, their kids running out front and somehow we have become this perfect family.

Austin is in the kitchen talking to Buck and Blue and Sunny has just walked through the door with bags of shopping.

“We made it brother,” Riggs says as he pats me on the back and hands me a beer.

“We made it,” I nod, taking a mouthful and just appreciating for a second what we have right in front of us and I know dad would be looking down on us, proud as anything for us saving our legacy.

Our ranches still stand and when the time is right, all will be handed down to our children.

This will forever be our home, and our motto will be etched on our graves in years to come.

'Live by the ranch, die by the ranch.’

“Hey! Sorry we're late,” Nate's voice sweeps through the room and I turn, smiling as I welcome them all into our home.

They all disperse into different rooms, and we spend the remainder of the day entertaining.

Sitting on the decked porch, the stars twinkle in the night sky and I feel at peace.

“How did we get so lucky?” her voice pulls at me as her hand slips over my shoulder as she sits beside me.

“No luck about it baby,” I tease as I kiss her. “We were always going to get this life.”

She smiles.

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

“Sunflower...” I raise a brow, and she giggles.

“Always...”

“Forever.”

And her lips finally find mine as I kiss her like the very first time, and I knew, I had finally found a home for my heart.

She was my wildest forever, my wildest dreams and my wildest love.

This right here was what life was about.

Don't waste a single second wanting more when everything you need is within reach.

Her head lands on my shoulder and we sit and stargaze, talking about our future and how all our dreams had come true.

I was the richest man alive.

The End