by Vicki Green
I cup his face, running my finger through his five-day growth, and smile. “I love you, Nash Harris.” I lean in and kiss his lips.
He grabs my hair at the back of my neck and pulls me back, searching my eyes. “I love you, Tina Brogdon. Will ya marry me?” My eyes go wide and my mouth drops open.
I finally have myself a hunk of a good lookin’ cowboy!
“Yes!” I scream and shower him with kisses.
Epilogue
Two Years Later...
Living in the country can be hard. There’s lots of trials and tribulations. Rough winters, animals that pass away, long distances between neighbors, and even a longer distance to town. But with that comes friendships that can’t be broken. Love that endures so many more elements than some. Kids who grow up together, living in a loving environment, and learning the lessons of the land and hard work.
After the accident, Nash got strong and left the hospital four days later. Of course, his anxiety rose swiftly being cooped up in bed and not able to do what he loved. Working on his ranch. Two weeks after, he and the guys moved all of Tina’s things over to the house, but she never left their home the day they walked in. That night in a romantic setting in the living room, and in front of all their friends, he got down on one knee and proposed to her, officially. She cried, screamed her “YES” and jumped on him, knocking him onto his back while she kissed the hell outta him. The guys all laughed, the girls cried, but they all shared more memories that night, one’s they’d retell over and over again for years to come.
Up to this point not all their memories were good. While being the young girl Sadie was when she came to Catur Road, she fell in love, found the right path in life, while almost losing the love of her life, Memphis. But they grew strong in their love for each other as well as their twins, Jared and Evie. It’s funny how life plays its little tricks on some. Now, at the age of two, Jared has his pa’s laidback sense while their daughter is filled with the stubborn and orneriness of her mother. Guess sometimes life has a way of paying back what we sow.
While vengeance and evil followed Shiloh to these lands, she found in them the strength of Colby, the man she thought she’d never live long enough to have. Their love was tested to the extreme. But they prevailed along with the help of their friends as well as a man from her past. Together they survived, becoming more than friends ever could. Another young girl joined their fold. Timid, shy, and with many scars. She didn’t realize it, at the time, but soon she would join their family. Now, Shiloh and Colby’s son, Colt is turning two today. Of course there will be the biggest party and more memories to be made.
While Trevor and Prie came together in such traumatic circumstances, fighting for their lives almost took a toll on them. But they both fought, in their own ways, got the healing and strength they needed only making their love stronger than it ever could have been. Their daughter, Hattie, is now a little over a year old. She’s got Prie’s blonde hair but curly and Trevor’s baby blue eyes. Trevor said he’s gonna have to walk around with a shotgun when she gets older to fend off the boys. He says he’s kidding. We’ll see. But Prie’s pregnancy was a rough road on its own. By the time she started her second trimester, she was put on bed rest for the remainder of her time. Trevor never left her side, everyone helping on his ranch so he could tend to her. Babies are a blessing in more ways than one. When she delivered, the relief of a healthy baby was apparent not only for them but to all their friends. Another memory and time shared together, helping each other through it. It’s those memories that keep these friends together, reminding them of how hard life can be but also how grateful they are to have each other.
Once Grant had moved to town, set up his office, and settled in his house, it wasn’t but about a year later he met a man in Pilates. Same sense of humor, good looking, and they fell in love. They live together in Grant’s house and are happy. He figured it was the best move of his life to find the one he loves and be close to all his friends – his family.
“Jared! Let Evie have that,” Sadie yells. “You need to take turns.” She looks at Tina and smiles. “I don’t know where he gets that from.”
Tina rolls her eyes, lets out a snort and shrugs. “Gee, I dunno. Could it be from his mom?” She looks down at her son in her arms. Light red tufts of hair sticking out of a small cap snug around his head. That same light red on his long lashes, fanned out beneath his closed eyes as he sleeps.
Sadie laughs. “I don’t know how Gage can sleep with all this racket going on.”
“Not Emily though.” Nash walks in from changing their daughter and sits down next to Tina on the couch. He takes the bottle in his hand and starts feeding her. Light brown hair with a bow headband wrapped around her head, her eyes wide open, a vibrant green like her pa’s. “While Gage sleeps through the night, Emily wants to play.” He laughs but you can see the love in his eyes as he looks down at his daughter. He leans close to Tina’s ear. “Think we can leave them with our friends and run upstairs for a quickie?” He waggles his eyebrows. Tina smacks him but then gives him a look.
“That wouldn’t be very nice.” Her eyes widen. “Would it?” Nash laughs and kisses her cheek.
Gage Hunter and Emily Marie Harris, named after Nash’s parents, were born six weeks early, sending more scares and worries into Nash and Tina’s lives. But strength seems to always be around when you have such a large family of friends. They never left them alone at the hospital, someone was always there with them, holding their hands, and saying words of encouragement. As God saw fit, those little babies grew strong from their parent’s strength and love.
“Ah! Makes me want to have another one. Someday.” Sadie sighs, looking at Gage then at Emily.
“I know!” Shiloh walks in carrying Colt and sets him on the floor to play with the kids. “Me too!” She puts her arm around Sadie’s shoulders and rests her head against hers.
“Man. Are ya kiddin’?” Memphis’ deep voice booms as he and Trevor walk into the large living room in Nash and Tina’s house. It was decided to have the party here since their twins were still so young. He sits down on the other side of Sadie, putting his arm around her. “We have our hands full with the two we got, not to mention runnin’ our farm and you and Tina with the coffee shop. Then there’s Prie’s boardin’ house we all help with. Don’t you think that’s enough for a bit?” Sadie nods but looks sad. He squeezes her shoulder and leans down, whispering in her ear. She smiles and looks up into his eyes, love pouring from them.
“Okay. Fess up. What did he say,” Trevor pipes up, raising a brow.
“Some things a lady never tells,” Prie says, smiling as she sits down next to Trevor, setting Hattie on her lap. She sets her down on the floor and Hattie immediately walks over to the kids, falls down on her bottom, and starts to play. Everyone in the room laughs, watching the children play and creating new memories.
So, as you can see, there is beauty in the lands. It gives back what it receives. Life goes on and yes, tending the land can be tough. Living in the country can bring hardships. But it can also bring the best of times, strength in numbers, and lots of endurance and love. Always believe in the beauty of the lands. Friends and family. You never know when you will need them.
The End
It’s been difficult to say goodbye to my country characters. For over two years I’ve written their stories, shared in their love and heartbreaks, watch their lives unfold, and their strength for each other overcome so many obstacles. But, in some small way, they’ve help me love the lands and become stronger myself.
Look for your favorite country love characters in late winter of 2017!
A
Country Love
Christmas
Acknowledgements
Sometimes I think Acknowledgements are more difficult to write than the actual story. I’m always afraid I’
ll leave someone out or not say what’s in my heart. I have the best PA – Melissa, who’s always there for me, even when she is going through her own difficult times. She not only reads my books, highlighting things, and talks through some of my idea’s or concerns, but has become one of my best friends. Chrissy is another one of my besties who’s always there for me. I love our talks and her excitement about my stories, whether it be ones already written or idea’s I have for new stories. My Street Team – I couldn’t go through this without you all. You’re love and support help me get through the rough times and your feedback and friendship is invaluable. My cover designer, Kari – your designs make my covers what they are, beautiful and perfect. Our friendship has grown over the years and I’m proud of what we’ve both accomplished. My formatter, Mari – you make my books look beautiful inside and I love that you still try out things using my stories. My Editor, Kathy. I’m so happy that I found you, way back with my very first book, over 3 years ago. Not only do you help make my words look and sound amazing but our friendship is something I hold near and dear to my heart. Thank you for all your late nights and all-nighters to get my edits done on time. For that, I’ll be eternally grateful. I have so many photographer friends but Golden, most of my covers hold your pictures. Our friendship is something that I’ll always keep in my heart. You’re so much more than a photographer and author to me.
Readers, thank you for following me on this journey and being patient as I wrote each book. These books are yours as much as mine.
Vicki's Books
Forever Series
My Savior Forever
Together Forever
Soul-Mates Forever
Razers Edge (sequel novella to Soul-Mates Forever)
Stand Alone
Finding My Way Home
Reclaimed
Touched Series
Touched
Forgiven
Trusted
Book Boyfriend Series
My Next Book Boyfriend
Country Love Series
Country Heaven
A Taste Of Country
Love Of Country
Country Bliss (sequel novella to Country Heaven)
Back to Country
A Country Love Christmas– Coming Soon!
Beyond Love Series
Sacrifice For Love
Falling For Love
Longing For Love
Heartache Series
The Loss
The Regret
The Heartbreak – Coming Soon!
About the Author
Vicki Green grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and currently resides in Olathe, Kansas. Along with her husband and two teenage boys, she shares her home with her cocker spaniel’s Shadow and Mocha. She has been working full time at the same Company for 35 years. Her life has been filled with the most loving and caring parents, who are both gone now but are still in her heart and mind daily.
Vicki enjoys reading Romance books which is what inspired her to begin writing this book. She has always admired Author’s dedication and hard work. She had a dream that played out for over a year, came home one day after work and decided to put it on a word document to see how it read and that became ‘My Savior Forever’, the beginning of her Forever Series, and that’s where it all began.
Website:
http://www.vickigreenauthor.com/
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/VickiGreenAuthor
Twitter: @rileyks3
Goodreads Author:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7112966.Vicki_Geen
