I swallow hard, but my eyes don’t well up. In fact, I’m shocked at how her words simply make me smile. My shoulders feel light, and I lean forward to rest my folded arms on the table.
Two hours later, Nana is harassing me through the passenger window of Ms. Riley’s SUV. She points a finger at me, and I don’t have to wonder where Mesa’s gumption came from.
“You listen to me, young man,” she scolds. “I’ll be dead soon. Bring my granddaughter, and you both come to see me at least once a month, you hear?”
“I hear you,” I answer with a chuckle. “We’ll come once a month. Promise.”
“For goodness sake, Nana,” Mesa cuts in. “You aren’t even that old. Quit telling people that you’re going to die soon.”
Nana winks, and I wave as they pull out of the drive. They’re the last ones to leave, and I feel bad that I spent the entire time talking to Nana rather than making sure Mesa was properly doted on. I arranged this entire party forher.
We walk toward the house holding hands, and the setting sun behind us casts our shadows on the ground, surrounded by an orange glow.
“You okay?” she asks.
I stop in front of the arched door, turning her toward me and hooking a hand around her hip. She laughs when I pull her to press against me and dip my head to kiss her jaw.
“I’m just fine,” I answer between two more kisses. “I’m better than I have ever been in my entire life, Mace.”
I grew up learning to live without. No home felt like it was truly mine. No parents or other family. No real direction. Until I was pulled to this little West Texas town that has given me everything.
I used to resent the fact that I was never given the things I longed for growing up, even into my early adult years. But I think there was a reason my life has unfolded exactly as it has sofar. Maybe it was so I’d end up here and gain three brothers, the love of my life, and something that connects me to my mom.
I wouldn’t have been led here or have any of those things if my life had been easy. Now that I have them, I wouldn’t give them up. Not for a different childhood. Not for anything.
“I think I’ll keep you,” I say, kissing her on the lips.
“I think I’ll let you,” Mesa counters. It’s the same answer she gave me yesterday, the day before that, and every other day I’ve told her I’d be keeping her.
She tucks her hands beneath my shirt and runs her palms up my back. I pull away to look at her face again. My fingers thread through her hair, and she smiles up at me.
If I ever find myself doubting where I belong, one smile like that from her will shut me up real quick. Seeing it now, I know with certainty—I belong right here, making a life with her.
And I have never looked forward to anything more.
EPILOGUE
MESA
SIX MONTHS LATER
Tripp’s smileis warm with pride as he steps away from the Christmas tree. I smile, but my lips are pressed together in hidden amusement. He’s lucky he’s cute. The man cannot arrange ornaments to save his life.
“Don’t all clap at once,” he says, scanning the room.
At the dining table, Gage is scowling down at a tangled mess of lights and extension cords. Warren is ignoring Tripp as well, focusing instead on his role as the designated unpacker. He bites the inside of his cheek while gingerly pulling a miniature post office from a foam-padded storage box markedChristmas Village.
Heston looks over from where he’s wrapping garland around the banister of the staircase to the loft. He’s not allowed to touch anything breakable while we’re decorating, per Blythe’s orders.
When he snorts at the sight of Tripp’s handiwork and opens his mouth to comment, I clear my throat and shoot him a warning look.
“The tree looks perfect,” I quickly say to Tripp. “You did great.”
The moment Blythe and Savannah see it, they will immediately get to work redistributing the ornaments to be more evenly spaced. They might even move it entirely from its current spot next to the fireplace.
But me? I couldn’t care less how pitiful the tree looks or where it stands.
What I care about is that Tripp is not big on Christmas. And yet, he hasn’t once complained about trimming the bunkhouse with cheerful decor today. He didn’t bat an eye while watchingThe Holidayevery night this week or even when I asked him to run into town for my third bag of marshmallows in as many days, either.
