“No, that might get you arrested by Uncle Knox, so don’t do that. You have to be sneaky. You have to make them like you first, a whole lot. Then, when they think you’re the most special thing on Earth, like Daddy did to Mommy, you tell her your secret.”

“I do?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the secret?”

“That you love her and think she’s the most special thing on Earth, too.”

“I can do that.”

“I know you can.” Shade ruffled his hair before bending down to place a kiss on his son’s cheek.

“Night, son.”

“Good night, Daddy.”

Shade turned to the door, seeing Lily standing in the doorway. She gave him her smile as she passed by him to kiss John and tuck him in bed.

Shade waited for her in the hallway, closing the door behind her when she came out.

“Happy anniversary, Shade.”

“Happy anniversary, Lily.”

“Do you still think fifty years isn’t going to be long enough?” Lily teased.

“Yes,” Shade admitted. “Not nearly long enough.” He lifted her into his arms, carrying her into their bedroom where he placed her on their bed. Then he lay down next to her, enjoying the peaceful tranquility of the night. It wouldn’t be much longer before their nights of sleep were interrupted with the sounds of a crying baby.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Wishing my baby girl would hurry and get here.”

“I love the rainbows and unicorns you painted on the nursery walls. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Shade smiled down at her before nuzzling her neck.

“Shade?”

“Hmm?

“I think you’re the most special man on Earth, and I love you.”

Epilogue 2

Another Fourteen Years Later

“John Wayne Hunter!” Lily scolded.

His son turned around, avoiding his cousins’ amused eyes as he turned back and walked back to his mother.

“You forgot your backpack.”

John blushed, picking up the backpack.

“Be safe, John.”

His son’s face gentled as he stared back at his mother, who was doing a horrible job keeping it together. John grabbed her for one more hug, “I will, Mom. I’ve promised you a thousand times.”

“I know, I know.” Shade placed his arm around Lily’s shoulders, pulling her close to his side.

“You three watch out for each other, and you’ll be fine,” Shade advised his son.

“We will, Dad. I have to go; our plane’s boarding. Chance and Noah are already on board.”

When Shade held his hand out to his son, John ignored it, reaching out to hug him one more time.

“Bye, Dad.”

“Bye, son.” Shade stood there, watching his son board the plane which would take him, Noah, and Chance to basic training. He wouldn’t see him again for six months, and then John would only be able to stay for a few short days before he was given his first assignment.

“We should have never let him enlist.”

“We both agreed to let him make his own decisions, Lily.”

“That’s where we made our first mistake. The rest of our children, we’re telling them no,” she said firmly, getting inside the car.

It was a three-hour drive home, and Lily cried most of the way back. Shade pulled into the parking lot, bringing the car to a stop.

“You going to let the kids see how upset you are?” When Lily didn’t answer, he shook his head at her. “Well?”

“I’m thinking about it,” she snapped. “That way, if they think about joining, they’ll know how upset I was when John did it.”

“Do you want them to make their decisions based on how much it’s going to upset you?”

“Yes.” Lily crossed her arms over her chest.

Shade slid out of the car, going to the other side to open the door for her. She got out of the car but instead of walking up the pathway to their house like he expected, she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest.

“I’m going to miss him so much.”

“I know. I am, too,” Shade told her, hugging her close.

Eventually she nodded, stepping away so he could close the door.

“What are you going to do with his bike while he’s gone?” she asked as they walked up the pathway, hand in hand.

“Put it in the storage room where Rider keeps his.”

They passed Beth’s and Razer’s house, which was dark. They had decided to stay in Lexington for the night and come back in the morning.

Shade held onto her hand as they walked up the steps to their porch.

“Shade?” He paused as he was about to open the door. “I’m sorry I cried all the way back. I’ll try harder not to be a crybaby. I promised myself I would be more like—”

“What have I told you about trying to be like those bitches?”

Lily laughed. “I was going to say like Beth.”

“Oh, that you can do.”

“I bet you’re regretting wanting fifty years of the trouble I’ve put you through.”

“Lily, where you’re concerned, I only have one regret.” Shade bent down and kissed her.

“What’s that?” Lily stared back at him with the same love in her eyes and expression as she’d had that long-ago spring day.

“That I didn’t catch you sooner. I should have sneaked up behind you and carried you away.”

“I would have had you arrested.” Lily shook her head.

“I knew the sheriff and had a lawyer who ended up becoming Attorney General. I would have gotten off.”

Epilogue 3

Another thirty-two years later

Shade walked behind John as his eldest son packed his mother to sit on the bench they had placed in the yard over twenty years before so Lily could sit and stare at her mountains.

John carefully placed her on the bench, moving aside so Shade could sit down next to Lily.

“You need anything, Dad?”

“No, thanks. We’ll be fine. Go enjoy the picnic.”

Shade leaned back against the bench, placing his arm around her shoulders. She laid her head against him.

“I shouldn’t have let you talk me into coming outside,” Shade said, seeing the pain she was trying to hide.

“It’s beautiful out today. I wanted to watch the grandkids play before they went home. I wish we could have gone to the picnic in town.”

“Everybody’s here,” Shade told her. It was the first Fourth of July picnic they hadn’t attended.

Lily shivered next to him.

“Are you cold?” he asked in concern.

“I’m fine, Shade.”

Her hand reached for his as they sat watching their children and grandchildren enjoy the sunny afternoon.

Piper brought them both a bottled water.

“She looks just like you,” Lily said when their granddaughter ran off to play with one of Chance’s children.

Lily watched the huge crowd. “Did you ever dream our family would become this large?”