“Please do.”
“I realize our meeting is a formality, but are you comfortable handling both county and town responsibilities?”
“Riverton Crossing will be safe in our hands, sir.”
THE END
Epilogue 1
Two Months Later
“Rachel, the church looks beautiful.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Carrie. Thank you.”
“Girl, I owe you so much.”
Rachel held Carrie’s hands. “You don’t owe me anything. I needed a friendly face when I walked into the prosecutor’s office for the first time, and you deserved to have a full internship.” She squeezed Carrie’s hands. “Just know that I’m hoping you’ll come on full-time when you graduate. You’ve got a brilliant legal mind.”
“Thank you.”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the way you followed through with the hospital.” Rachel shook her head. “Matthew naming Nurse Moore in his statement guaranteed she lost her job. Nurses know they can’t do half the crap she did and get away with it.”
“From what I hear, that’s been a long time coming.” Carrie tilted her head. “What do you think will happen to Hailey and Stephanie?”
Rachel shrugged. “I don’t really know. Unless the men die, I don’t see how anything will be done. I do feel for Martha Pickens and Gloria Hightower, though. The only two women in this whole mess who were completely in the dark.”
“I heard some ladies from Probate Court talking. Matthew’s estate was left in an account to provide for his mother until her death. Whatever is left after that will be put toward some kind of scholarship. I don’t know who’ll be in charge of it, though.”
Before Rachel could respond, a tap sounded on the door with laughter almost drowning it out. “We’re coming in.” Kayla, Ginger, Cat, and Vanessa walked through the door, and Kayla hugged Rachel. “You’re gorgeous. The ranch looks fantastic for the reception.”
Ginger air-kissed Rachel because her arms couldn’t reach around Rachel with her belly in the way. “I’m glad the guys are bringing Ben later. He was so nervous. He’s carried around a brown paper bag since he arrived at the house.”
Rachel’s heart ached for Ben. “Please tell me that Evan has calmed him down.”
Vanessa jumped up. “Oh, I’m first up for check-in.”
Rachel giggled. “What?”
Cat laughed. “Yeah, Evan calmed him down. We all had to draw check-in straws to keep Ben from losing his cookies. Vanessa drew the shortest straw.”
“I’m on it,” Vanessa called as she sent a text:
in the room with Rachel. She is stunning. xoxo
“When are they supposed to be here?”
Cat looked at her watch. “They should be leaving the ranch now.”
All the color drained from Rachel’s face. He’s in a car, driving on his wedding day. Her breathing accelerated and panic formed in her gut. “I need to talk to him.”
“What? He’s on his way, Rachel. Everything is fine.” Kayla tried to calm her.
Rachel was shaking her head before Kayla had finished speaking. “You don’t understand. I really need to talk to him.”
Evan’s phone was ringing by the time Rachel caught her breath. “Hey, darlin’.”
“Evan, Rachel needs to hear Ben’s voice. Is he with you?”
“I think that’d do my boy some good, too.”
Ginger waddled over to Rachel. “I think this is for you.”
“Ben—”
“Rachel…”
“I just needed to hear your voice, babe.”
“No, it’s more that you knew I needed to hear yours.”
“I’m sorry. We should have done a small wedding…”
“Rachel, listen to me. This day is about you. Yes, I can’t wait to see you, but I wanted to give this to you, sweetheart. With any white picket fence comes a big southern wedding.”
“But you’re in a car…”
“With a police escort. I’m coming to you, baby.”
“I’ll be the one in the long white dress.”
“I’ll be looking for you.”
A knock on the door sounded. “I have to go. Someone wants to see me. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Rachel disconnected the call just in time to see Ben’s mother walk through the door. Rachel smiled at her future mother-in-law.
“Thank you for loving my son.” Mrs. Stevens held Rachel’s hands. You’ve seen him at his worst, and you’ve loved him until he was at his best. I never thought I’d see this side of my son again, but you’ve given that to me … to him.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Stevens. I love him very much.”
“I’m going. It’s almost time.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Within minutes, music was playing, and Rachel knew it was time to head for the church. The director opened the door and ushered the girls out. As Rachel stood at the back of the church, she watched Ben’s movements. He fidgeted like a young boy about to pee his pants. When her song came on, he went still. She wondered if he was breathing.
She slowly walked down the aisle, looking at their friends gathered at the front of the church. When her gaze landed back on Ben, he was walking toward her with a brilliant smile on his face. He stopped right in front of her and whispered, “You’ve met me more than halfway more times than I care to count. Let’s take the rest of this walk together.” He held his arm for her to take as they walked to the front of the church.
The pastor began once they were in place. “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today…”
Epilogue 2
A Month Later
Everett (Rhett) Cole Riverton
Born: March 31st
Wailing came from the nursery next door. “Rhett,” Ginger whispered as she moved to get out of bed.
“I’ll get him, darlin’. You rest.”
“He’s probably hungry, and you can’t help him with that.”
Evan softly chuckled. “No, I can’t, but let me go change his diaper and calm him. You know he doesn’t eat well when he’s this worked up. Plus, that’ll give you an extra few minutes.”
“Thank you.”
Evan kissed her cheek and took his phone from the bedside table on his way out the door. She knew as soon as he walked into Rhett’s room. “Hey, buddy. What’s all the noise about?” The crying softened. “Let’s get you a dry bottom and give Mama a minute, okay? We need some boys’ time anyway.”
Ginger went to the bathroom before joining her boys. She loved watching Evan with Rhett. The baby was good for him, and she thanked God every day for not giving them a girl. She slipped on her robe and walked toward the nursery, stopping just outside the door when she heard Evan singing “Boy” by Lee Brice. He scratchy voice made her smile. Rhett loved music even in the middle of the night.
“…I know you will ‘cause you’re a part of me, and a part of you will always be a boy. You’re gonna be so stubborn, you get that from your mother…” Evan chuckled. “Don’t tell her I said that, okay? That’s our secret. He rocked the baby. “It’s three am.” He smiled. “Too bad I don’t have the equipment you need to go back to sleep, little man, but Mama’s coming.”
Ginger walked into the room, half laughing, half crying. Evan stood so she could get comfortable. “Why the tears?”
“I love hearing the two of you together. I’m sorry, but I was listening in.”
Evan smiled. “Enjoy it now because it won’t be long before we’ll be on a horse somewhere, and you won’t know what we talk about.”
She puckered her lips, and he gave her a peck before handing Rhett over. “Hey, baby boy, you ready to eat?” She opened her robe, and he latched on like a champ. “We’ll talk about parts of Daddy’s song later, okay?” She rubbed the backs of her fingers down his chubby cheek.
Evan was leaning against the doorjamb in nothing but a pair of lounging pants. “You know that’s the perfect song for him.”
“I know because if he’s anything like you, he will break hearts like glass. I just want him to be a southern gentleman.”
“Darlin’, he’ll have manners and know how to treat a girl.”
“I feel sorry for the girl who does him wrong. I will pull every hair out of her head for hurting my boy.”
“I know, darlin’, but don’t get all worked up. He needs to eat.”
She took a deep breath and held up one of his tiny feet. “Look at him, Evan. We made him, and he’s perfect.”
* * *
Evan stared at them. How could two people who were never planned to come into his life be the two most important people in his life? Ginger was a breath of fresh air that knocked him on his ass. And Rhett? His timing was off, but God how he loved that boy, even before he made his entrance into this world. As he watched Ginger feeding his son, his thoughts went back to the day Rhett was born…
“Evan…Evan…” Ginger woke him at the crack of dawn that Sunday morning. He’d gotten home at midnight. “Evan,” she grunted, and alarms went off in his head.
“Ginger?”
“It’s time.”
“Time to call Dr. Tucker or time, time?”
“Time, time. I thought I had to pee, but my water broke.”
He jumped out of bed and scrambled to find a pair of jeans. “Do I need to find you some clothes?” He hurried to the dresser to find a pair of sweatpants.”
“I’m dressed.”
He slipped on a T-shirt and grabbed his phone. “I’ll call the doctor.”
“Done. I just need you to get the bag and drive me.” She sat on the bed and leaned back as another contraction happened.
He squatted in front of her. “Breathe, darlin’. I’m right here with you.” This was the part he had dreaded from the beginning—her in pain. She grabbed his hand and squeezed until his fingers turned red from the pressure. He gritted his teeth because he wasn’t about to let her know she was hurting him. She was going to be in enough pain, this was the least he could do. Once the contraction passed, he slung the overnight bag over his shoulder and helped her to the car. “I’ve got you, darlin’.”
She squeezed him again. “Oh, Evan!”
He got her in the car and drove to the hospital. Even though they were in Betty, he was prepared to break a few laws. He’d deal with that later if need be.
He pulled up to the Emergency Room entrance and stopped right in front of the double doors. He hurried around to help Ginger as a nurse walked out of the hospital. “She’s in labor. Dr. Tucker has been called.”
“How far apart are the contraction?” the nurse asked.
Evan looked at Ginger. “The first ones were three minutes tops.”
Ginger smiled and nodded. “Three minutes.”
“Chief, park your car. Dr. Tucker is waiting to examine Mrs. Riverton. We’ll be in examination room two. Just come back there when you get done.”
He bent his knees so he could look Ginger in the eyes. “I’ll be right back.” He placed his hand on her rounded belly. “Wait on Daddy, son.”
“Hurry, Evan.”
It wasn’t long before he was jogging into the ER. “Exam room two?”
The nurse behind the desk pressed a button with a huge smile on her face. Dr. Thomas Gregory was waiting just inside. “This way, Evan. Congratulations.”
Evan shook his hand as they hurried to the room. He opened the door to see Dr. Tucker with her head between Ginger’s legs, and Ginger watching the door.
“You’re in time, Daddy,” Dr. Tucker said as she removed her gloves. “We’re moving her to labor and delivery.”
Ginger had tears in her eyes. “It’s really happening.”
Evan moved so he could be by her side and picked up her hand. “Doc, I don’t want her in any pain.”
“I’m not taking pain meds. I’m doing this natural.”
“Gin—”
She squeezed his hand until the contraction passed. “I don’t want the drugs, Evan. Please understand.”
He closed his eyes. “If that’s what you really want, darlin’.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Let’s go meet our baby.”
Watching Ginger go through labor was the worst thing he ever experienced. Ginger in pain wasn’t something he’d ever get used to seeing. She was his world, and he didn’t like her hurting, no matter the cause. Three hours later, he didn’t have any fingernails left, his hands throbbed from where she squeezed them, and his heart raced every time a contraction came. She didn’t say anything, didn’t take the pain meds, and didn’t complain about what she was going through. He’d just wiped a cool cloth over her face when the doctor told her one more push.
Ginger’s face turned red as her chin touched her chest, and she pushed with everything she had. His fingertips were blue, and his eyes were focused on the doctor when Rhett’s first cry echoed in the room. Ginger fell back on the bed panting like she’d just run a marathon. He looked at the small baby in the doctor’s hands.
Dr. Tucker held up the scissors. “Want to do the honors, Dad?”
Evan nodded and walked to the end of the bed where Dr. Tucker showed him where to cut the umbilical cord.
He pushed off the wall and walked over to her with tears stinging his eyes, standing over them, watching—ever the protector. He cupped Rhett’s head in his hand. “He’s perfect like you.”
Playlist
If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks
The Dance by Garth Brooks
Demons by Imagine Dragons
Am I Wrong by Nico and Vinz
I’ve Got You Under My Skin by Chris Botti and Katharine McPhee
Morning Light by Justin Timberlake (featuring Alicia Keys)
Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
That Was Yesterday by Foreigner
Some Memories Just Won’t Die by Marty Robbins
H.O.L.Y. by Florid Georgia Line
Boy by Lee Brice
TURN THE PAGE FOR MORE BOOKS BY SAVANNAH MARIS
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UNWELCOMED GREETING
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
UNEXPECTED GUEST
UNINVITED VISITORS
UNBRIDLED PASSION
UNCHARTED TERRITORY
STANDALONES
CROSSROADS OF THE HEART
Uncovered Secrets: A Riverton Crossing Novel - Book 7 Page 20
