Epilogue
Dana loved her life.
She sat atop Scout, looking down at Mustang Valley. A herd of wild ponies were contentedly grazing in the high grass, not paying one bit of attention to the many tourists who’d ridden along the ridge to see them.
Just two weeks ago, Chance and Jared had finished the horse corral a short distance away, so as not to disturb the natural look of the valley. In the mornings, Dana took ranch guests on trail rides, then afternoons were reserved for her own group and private lessons. Her business was booming.
Things weren’t stopping there. Over the winter, Jared would be building six cabins on their part of the valley. By next spring they should be ready for guests. That wasn’t all. Chance had agreed to breed one of his studs with her bay, Sweet Brandy. And Dana already had people interested in the future foal. Right now, she had Lazy S’s roundup in a few weeks, but she wasn’t worried about finding help. The entire Randell family had already volunteered.
Dana couldn’t believe the summer was nearly over, and on Monday, Evan would start kindergarten. That was the reason for the picnic in the valley. Everyone rode in on horseback, including Evan on Goldie, for one last party for all the kids.
One big family. And the Randells included Jared as a part of it, along with her and Evan. And that family just kept on growing. Dana touched her stomach. In so many ways.
She climbed down from her horse and walked to the stream.
“What are you smiling about?”
She turned to find that Jared had ridden up. He jumped down and sauntered toward her. Over the last months on the ranch, Jared had taken to his new life as if he’d always lived here, dressed in his Wrangler jeans and light-blue Western shirt, along with his slow easy gait and even the tilt to his Stetson. Her breath quickened just looking at him.
“Hello, cowboy,” she said. “I’m just counting my blessings. I have so many.”
“We both have.” He came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her middle and together they watched as the kids rode by on the other side of the stream.
Evan sat straight in the saddle, riding behind his new cousin, Brandon. Owen was keeping a keen eye on them both. The young ranch hand had decided to stay and go to college in San Angelo so he’d be able to work part-time at the Lazy S.
Hank Barrett brought up the rear of the group as he rode alongside little Katie Rose on her pony. Recovering from knee surgery, Bert wasn’t able to ride yet. He still walked with a cane, but that didn’t slow him down. He was in charge of grilling the hot dogs for the kids up at the cabin on the ridge.
“Life can’t be any more perfect than this,” Dana breathed, feeling so safe and loved in her husband’s arms.
When Jared didn’t respond, Dana looked over her shoulder and saw the faraway look in his eyes. She knew what had been bothering him. Graham Hastings’s revelation about the existence of more Randell brothers. “Are you second-guessing your decision?”
“Yeah, I just hope I did the right thing by sending that photograph off to the Gentrys.”
“How could you not?” she asked. “Don’t they have a right to know who their father is? What they choose to do with it is their business.”
He nodded. “I guess. I just feel bad because I haven’t said anything to the others.” He shook his head. “Two more brothers. Twins.”
“And you will tell Chance and the others, if and when you hear from the Gentrys.”
“Of course,” Jared agreed, then leaned down and kissed her briefly. Too briefly, as far as Dana was concerned. She loved being with family, but wished they had some alone time right now. Not that she and Jared hadn’t sneaked off to the valley before and made love.
“This is a special place,” he said, breaking into her thoughts. “I felt it the first time I ever rode in here. Chance said that he and his brothers felt they were misfits just like the mustangs.”
“Do you feel like a misfit?”
“Not any longer.” He hugged her. “I found everything that I’ve ever wanted right here. You and Evan are my family.”
Dana couldn’t contain her excitement any longer and turned in his arms. “I hope you don’t mind expanding our family.” She reached up and placed a kiss on his lips. “I’m pregnant.”
Jared couldn’t hide his shock. A flood of feelings rushed through him as he moved his hand over his wife’s flat stomach. There was a new life inside. His child. “Oh, God, Dana.” He kissed her, kissed her again and again. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “As of this morning.”
“A baby,” he breathed. His eyes met her beautiful green gaze. “I love you, Dana Shayne Trager. So much.” His mouth closed over hers, wanting to tell her what words couldn’t relay. That he’d finally found peace and love. And the one place he’d been searching for. A place where he belonged.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8699-7
JARED’S TEXAS HOMECOMING
Copyright © 2003 by Patricia Wright
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*With These Rings
†The Texas Brotherhood
Jared's Texas Homecoming Page 16
