Page 185 of Cautious Love

“Welcome to the family Shiloh, we’re glad you’re here,” Dixie says.

I blink rapidly and smile because my throat is too tight.

“Who knew my brother had it in him,” Fletcher says.

I snort, pinning my lips together, but they blab anyway. “He’s got more than you think he does.”

“Awe, man,gross,” Cooper grumbles.

June pretends to gag, and Sterling shakes his head.

“You’re next, June,” Cooper grins.

She rolls her eyes and stands from the table, starting clean up. “Yeah, whatever.”

And I don’t miss the peek at Sterling.

On our way home, I keep thinking about June and Sterling. I’ve seen them at the Wooden Cowboy a thousand times; figured they were old friends, that’s all there is to it. But now, seeing them outside of the bar with booze involved, I think there’s a lot more going on than anyone thinks.

“Do June and Sterling spend a lot of time together?” I ask Ledger.

He shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe?”

“Hmm, I’ve seen them at the bar a lot, but I think they’ve got it bad for each other.”

Ledger sighs. “Sterling is an idiot, and my best friend, but I wouldn’t want any other man with my sister.”

“Does he know that?” I ask him.

Ledger frowns. “I don’t know.”

“I guess they’ll have to figure things out for themselves, won’t they?”

Ledger chuckles. “Just when I thought we’d have some peace around here.”

I lean across the armrest. “Peace is good, but chaos is fun.”

“I married chaos incarnate, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did,” I sing.

He chuckles and pulls into the driveway. “With a baby on the way, I might as well get used to it.”

I climb into his lap and bump the horn.

“If you want a big family, then yes, my calm, cool, and collected sheriff. Chaos is about to become your middle name.”

He grins and pecks my lips.

“Bring it on.”

Epilogue

Ledger

“Alright,that’sthelastbox,” I grunt, setting it down at the base of the stairs.

Shiloh stands in the middle of the half-done living room, looking around. The couch and chairs are placed, but everything else is in boxes. After we finally admitted everything to each other I asked her if she wanted to help me with some of the options for the house, and she was so excited about it I sort of let her make all of them, as long as it made sense. With one on the way and a hope for more, this place needs to be functional. We’re going to be here for the rest of our lives.