Roaring Fork Rooker, page 20
“You don’t owe anyone an apology. You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said. “You’re the best mother, the best person I know, and you did nothing wrong.”
“You believed Gisela was your cousin, not your half sister,” I whispered, pulling back to look at him.
He smiled through tears I’d rarely seen him shed. “She was always like a sister to me anyway. This just makes it official.”
The simplicity of his acceptance, the complete lack of anger or resentment, overwhelmed me. Here were two young people who’d just discovered that their entire understanding of their family was built on a lie, and neither of them was angry with me for it.
“How are you both being so calm about this? How are you not furious with me for deceiving you?”
Dawn spoke up from where she’d been standing quietly by the door. “Because they understand care when they see it, Echo. They understand sacrifice. They know that everything you did was motivated by what was best for both of them.”
I looked around the room at each of them—Gisela, Kingston, Dawn, then JW, the man I adored, who loved me despite my deceit.
In everyone’s eyes, I saw acceptance. Not judgment, not anger, not resentment. Just pure, unconditional support.
JW stood and moved to my side, putting his hand around my shoulders and pulling me close to him. He leaned in and whispered in my ear, “I care about you more than life itself. All of you.”
My eyes filled with fresh moisture, but these were different. These were tears of relief, of gratitude, of overwhelming joy. For the first time in twenty-eight years, I could breathe freely.
JW looked at his watch and smiled. “We’re getting married in fifteen hours. Everyone best leave, so my bride and I can get the rest we need before our big day.”
“You still want to marry me? Even after everything you’ve learned? Even knowing that I kept this from you?”
“Nothing would ever change that. If anything, knowing how strong you are, how much you’ve sacrificed for the people you care about, makes me cherish you even more.”
Gisela, Dawn, and Kingston moved toward us, wrapping both JW and me in a group embrace.
“We’ll see you in the morning,” Dawn said, kissing my cheek. “This is going to be the most magical wedding.”
After they left, the house felt different. Lighter. The secrets that had weighed me down for so long were finally gone, replaced by truth and acceptance.
JW took my hand and led me back to the bedroom. We undressed each other slowly, reverently, like we were discovering each other for the first time. When he kissed me, it tasted of forgiveness and new beginnings.
We made an intimate connection with a tenderness and passion that felt right because, now, there were no secrets between us, only honesty. Every touch was a promise, every kiss a vow, every whispered word of affection a commitment to the future we would build together.
For the first time in thirty years, I was completely free to give myself to the man I’d never stopped caring about. Tomorrow, I would marry him with my whole heart, knowing that our family—complicated and unconventional, as it was—was built on sacrifice and truth.
As I settled into sleep in JW’s embrace, I thought about the dress hanging in my closet, about the vows I’d written, about the friends and family who would gather to witness our union. But mostly, I thought about how fortunate I was to have found my way back to this man, and how grateful we were to have discovered that love really could conquer anything.
EPILOGUE
JW
My wife and I stood on Elk Avenue hand-in-hand, watching the Independence Day parade where our eyes had met for the first time in thirty years. Where our second chance had begun. This year, it was a celebration of who and what we’d become. Happily married and at peace. Both of us. For the first time in either of our lives.
Echo stood beside me, her summer dress catching the morning light, her wedding ring glinting as she pointed out floats to the children who called us Grandma and Grandpa. The haunted look that had shadowed her features during our engagement was gone, replaced by the tranquility of a woman who no longer carried secrets.
“Grandpa JW, look!” Luna’s voice cut through the crowd as she bounced between Victor and me, her small hands tugging at both our sleeves. The high school marching band was approaching, their brass instruments gleaming in the afternoon sun. At six years old, Luna’s leukemia was now in remission, and watching her dance to the music with such unbridled joy never failed to make my heart swell.
“I see them, sweetheart,” I said, hoisting her up onto my shoulders so she could get a better view over the crowd.
Down the sidewalk, I spotted the familiar chaos of the Wheaton family gathering. They’d staked out the same prime real estate they’d claimed last year. Flynn was doing her best to wrangle two-year-old Rowan and keep track of the twins, while Irish kept a protective hand on their seven-month-old baby boy, fast asleep in his carrier. They’d named him John William, but called him Willie.
Nearby, Buck and TJ were dealing with their own handful as five-year-old Buckaroo darted between the adults, clearly looking for his next adventure. Nearby, Holt swayed gently back and forth, cradling a sleeping Scarlet with one arm while the other was around Keltie’s shoulders.
A little ways down, Cord and Juni had managed to find seats with Porter and Cici. Both Cici and Juni were expecting, their hands resting on their growing bellies that promised new additions to our family later in the year.
Echo and I had somehow become Grandma and Grandpa to this wonderful, chaotic bunch, and I couldn’t imagine anything better.
“Glad I could be here this year,” Bridger said, nodding toward Gisela, who was taking pictures with the enthusiasm of someone documenting her first small-town celebration. “She’s having a blast.”
Our daughter had flown in from California especially for the weekend, arranging her residency schedule around what she’d declared “an essential family gathering.” Watching her laugh with Cord and Juni as they explained the parade’s local history filled me with quiet pride.
The months since our wedding had brought a rhythm I’d never expected to find. We spent our summers here, in Crested Butte, me helping out at Roaring Fork while Echo trained Melanie to take over as Miracles of Hope’s new director.
In winter, we spent more time at Sangre Vista, where we were building a house on what had become our favorite ridge to watch both the sunrise and sunset.
“She amazes me,” Echo said, following my gaze to where Gisela was now showing Luna how to use her camera. “She’s so patient with children.”
“Gets that from her mother,” I replied.
“Both of them,” Echo corrected gently.
She was right. Dawn had raised Gisela with the same nurturing instincts Echo brought to every child she encountered through her charity work. Our daughter had been shaped by two remarkable women, and it showed in everything she did.
“The oncology program at Stanford is lucky to have her,” Dawn, who stood beside us, added, pride evident in her voice. “Though I worry about the hours she keeps.”
“All parents worry,” Mark said with a gentle smile. “But she’s doing exactly what she was meant to do.”
“She says the work energizes her,” Echo said. “Helping families through the worst moments of their lives—that’s her calling.”
I’d seen that dedication firsthand during Gisela’s visits to New Mexico. She’d spent hours with me in the workshop, restoring an old piano while we talked about music and medicine and the strange paths that had brought us together. She called me by my name rather than any paternal title, but the bond between us grew stronger with each conversation.
After the parade ended, Echo and I walked two blocks over to the house she kept saying she should sell and I kept saying was our love nest. “Happy?” she asked when we walked in the front door.
“Completely.”
“I’ll just grab the cake, then we can go.”
We were headed to the Roaring Fork for an afternoon of music and dancing, followed by a chuckwagon dinner and campfire.
The drive to the ranch took us along the same mountain roads where I’d first pursued her after she fled the night before our wedding, where we’d confronted decades of secrets and pain and emerged stronger for having faced the truth together.
As we pulled in, the whole crew stood waiting for us.
“We have been blessed with the most beautiful family, my love,” I said, pulling Echo close as we looked over at parents and children who would grow up knowing their history and understanding the sacrifices that had brought them to this moment. In front of us stretched the valley where Patricia’s dream of her children finding happiness had exceeded even her most optimistic hopes.
“Sometimes, I wonder if I’m dreaming,” Echo murmured, leaning up to kiss my cheek. “We have quite a love story, JW.”
She was right. It had taken thirty years to complete, but the best stories, I’d learned, were worth the wait.
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Keep reading for a sneak peek at
the next book in Heather Slade’s
Roaring Fork Ranch Series,
Roaring Fork Bridger
He never got over losing her.
She never stopped loving him.
Together they'll fake a reunion that becomes all too real.
Bridger
When Lyric walks back into my life with questions about my bulls acting strange, every protective instinct I have kicks in—for my livelihood and for her. She broke my heart when she left, but I never stopped wanting to keep her safe. Now someone’s targeting everything I’ve built, and she might be the only person who can help me figure out who. The problem is, working together means pretending we’re back together, and with Lyric, I’ve never been good at pretending.
Lyric
I’ve been covering rodeos long enough to know when something’s wrong, but approaching Bridger about it means facing the man I never got over. Walking away from him was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I had my reasons. Now we need each other to uncover the truth about what’s happening to the sport we both love. Going undercover as a couple should be simple—except nothing about my feelings for this cowboy has ever been simple.
ROARING FORK BRIDGER
Prologue
Bridger
The gravel crunched under our boots as we crossed the motel parking lot. Lyric walked beside me, talking with her hands, the way she always did after a good night at the rodeo.
It had been three years since we were together, but some things never changed—especially Lyric.
Fuck if I didn’t miss her, though. The woman drove me crazy in every way possible. Whether it was the way she’d belabor a point until I gave in just to shut her up, or her naked body under mine as we shared the best sex I’d ever had in my life.
But we were ancient history now. Had been since the morning I woke up to find her gone, bags packed, saying she had big dreams to chase and I wasn’t one of them.
Now, we were friends. Had to be, given the rodeo community was tight-knit and we saw each other at events that took place one weekend after another. Every so often, we’d grab drinks or dinner. Sometimes with a big group or other times alone, like tonight.
When we reached the split between room nine and twelve, she stopped.
“You know I don’t need an escort, right?” she said, motioning to the lower-numbered rooms. “I’m perfectly capable of handling thirty feet of sidewalk.”
I paused, key card in hand. “Never said you weren’t.”
She flashed that grin that had always spelled trouble. “Good night, Bridger.”
“Night, Lyric.”
I unlocked my door but didn’t go inside. Instead, I leaned against the frame and watched her. Old habits. She had her key card out, reaching for the handle, when she froze.
The scream that tore from her throat sent ice through my veins.
I was running before my brain caught up, crossing the distance between us in seconds. She stood completely still outside her room, staring into the darkness beyond.
“Stay here.” I pushed past her to go inside.
“Like hell, I’m staying out here.” She was right behind me as I took the first tentative step, then hit the light switch.
The place was destroyed. Drawers dumped, clothes scattered, her laptop bag ripped open and empty. Whoever had done this had been thorough.
And angry.
“Bridger.” Her voice sounded nothing like the ball-buster Lryic Simmons I knew.
“What?”
“In here.”
I looked over her shoulder toward the bathroom, where she was pointing, and there, written across the mirror in her own red lipstick, was a short but brutal message.
STOP DIGGING OR YOU’RE DEAD.
Grab your copy!
Roaring Fork Bridger
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for your reading!
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ALSO BY HEATHER SLADE
BUTLER RANCH
Brodie’s Promise
Maddox’s Truce
Naughton’s Secret
Mercer’s Vow
Kade’s Return
Butler Ranch Christmas
WICKED WINEMAKERS FIRST LABEL
Brix’s Bid
Ridge’s Release
Press’ Passion
Zin’s Sin
Tryst’s Temptation
WICKED WINEMAKERS SECOND LABEL
Beau’s Beloved
Cru’s Crush
Bit’s Bliss
Snapper’s Seduction
Kick’s Kiss
ROARING FORK RANCH
Roaring Fork Wrangler
Roaring Fork Roughstock
Roaring Fork Rockstar
Roaring Fork Rooker
Roaring Fork Bridger
K19 GENESIS COALITION TEAM ONE
Code Name: Sundance
Code Name: Rawhide
Code Name: Dallas
Code Name: Wraith
Code Name: Preacher
K19 SECURITY SOLUTIONS TEAM ONE
Razor’s Edge
Gunner’s Redemption
Mistletoe’s Magic
Mantis’ Desire
Dutch’s Salvation
K19 SECURITY SOLUTIONS TEAM TWO
Striker’s Choice
Monk’s Fire
Halo’s Oath
Tackle’s Honor
Onyx’s Awakening
K19 SHADOW OPERATIONS TEAM ONE
Code Name: Ranger
Code Name: Diesel
Code Name: Wasp
Code Name: Cowboy
Code Name: Mayhem
K19 ALLIED INTELLIGENCE TEAM ONE
Code Name: Ares
Code Name: Cayman
Code Name: Poseidon
Code Name: Zeppelin
Code Name: Magnet
K19 ALLIED INTELLIGENCE TEAM TWO
Code Name: Puck
Code Name: Michelangelo
Code Name: Typhon
Code Name: Hornet
Code Name: Reaper
K19 SENTINEL CYBER TEAM ONE
Code Name: Admiral
Code Name: Dante
Code Name: Grit
Code Name: Tank
Code Name: Atticus
K19 SENTINEL CYBER TEAM TWO
Code Name: Kodiak
Code Name: Vex
Code Name: Steel
Code Name: Jagger
Code Name: Rocket
MINERVA PROTOCOL
The Prism Doctrine: Blackjack’s Story
The Shield Stratagem: Dagger’s Story
The Ghost Matrix: Specter’s Story
The Compass Initiative: Nomad’s Story
The Decree Directive: Sovereign’s Story
PROTECTORS UNDERCOVER TEAM ONE
Undercover Agent
Undercover Emissary
Undercover Savior
Undercover Infidel
Undercover Shadow
PROTECTORS UNDERCOVER TEAM TWO
Undercover Renegade
Undercover Archon
Undercover Rogue
Undercover Vanguard
Undercover Paragon
THE ROYAL AGENTS OF MI6
Make Me Shiver
Drive Me Wilder
Feel My Pinch
Chase My Shadow
Find My Angel
THE INVINCIBLES TEAM ONE
Code Name: Deck
Code Name: Edge
Code Name: Grinder
Code Name: Rile
Code Name: Smoke
THE INVINCIBLES TEAM TWO
Code Name: Buck
Code Name: Irish
Code Name: Saint
Code Name: Hammer
Code Name: Rip
THE UNSTOPPABLES TEAM ONE
Code Name: Fury
Code Name: Merried
COWBOYS OF CRESTED BUTTE
A Cowboy Falls
A Cowboy’s Dance
A Cowboy’s Kiss
A Cowboy Stays
A Cowboy Wins
Heather Slade, Roaring Fork Rooker
