Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
“We’ll have the rest of our lives together. For now, let’s not worry the superstitious too much.”
With that, I step out of his room, trying to look sweet and innocent.
“Oh Dolly, your hair looks like a mess,” I hear from my mother as soon as I emerge.
“Hmm? What’s the matter?”
“It’s a hot summer day. Sweat will just mess up your hair. Here, let me show you a little of what I’ve learned so far.”
Mom liked the idea I had of becoming a hairdresser. She jumped right at it, and hopped into the first available classes. She’s so eager to share what she's learned. I’m happy that she's finding a new chapter in her life too. She’s seemed so lost since Dad left, and that may have been part of why she turned so testy with me.
“You’re just a beautiful bride. Your grandmother would be so proud of you, Dolly.”
“Thanks, Mom.” It’s still tense sometimes, but that’s just life. It’ll get better and better as we both grow and come to understand one another.
The wedding seems like it happens too fast. Everyone is delightfully crazy. There’s music and tons of people talking and dancing. It’s a bit like organized chaos. It’s not exactly what I imagined as a little girl, but damn if it isn’t just as good, if not better.
And when I walk down that aisle, with Angus waiting for me at the altar, looking absolutely handsome in his tuxedo, I know for sure this moment couldn’t be any better. My man. My lovely cowboy.
Every day with him will be wonderful, and filled with hope and joy.
There’s nothing more that a country girl can ever ask for.
EPILOGUE 2
ANGUS
Anyone who’s ever told you being a dad is easy is clearly slacking off and not doing his part.
Four sons are a handful. Reckless and ever-excitable, it’s hard to keep up with them and still make this ranch run.
Cash, our oldest, is already fascinated by horses. He’s a natural, more a rider than I ever was. Does mean it’s hard to chase him down sometimes if he gets too rowdy even for what a Rowdy should be.
William, or Willie, is the next son Dolly gave me. He’s already into books, reading well above what you expect of a six-year-old. You’d think this’d make him easier to deal with, but no, he’s usually off somewhere he shouldn’t be, just reading. He took after his grandmother, but damn, still a Rowdy.
Carter’s a builder. Lego bricks everywhere, leaving a minefield in his wake as he constructs his colorful creations. I’ve shouted his full name in pain and anger way too many times, but I hope he never changes.
Our youngest, Nelson, is, well, too young to be a problem. Nonetheless, even at eighteen months he’s trying his best to stir up trouble. He’s curious about everything, and while that’s a good thing, you never want to let someone that young stray too far.
And yeah, Dolly is as cute as ever and named all of them after country music legends. She could have been a legend in her own right, but she’s happy to be a legend in her own home. She’s mine whatever she does, and nothing is going to change that.
She’s singing another song right now, like the beautiful bird she is. “Mommas Don’t Let Your Boys Grow Up to be Cowboys'' by Waylon Jennings. She’s standing over the stove, mixing some vegetables and stirring potatoes.
“Just singing whatever comes to mind or is your choice of song more meaningful than that?” I say as I come up behind her, wrapping my hands around her waist. She’s pregnant for the fifth time. When she told me she wanted a big family, her body agreed. It feels like she’s spent the last seven years more often pregnant than not.
It’s another boy on the way of course. Because Lord knows I’ll never get a break and get a girl. Although given she’d still be a Rowdy, she’d probably be as much a handful as her brothers.
“I was thinking about baby names. Jennings,” she says. “How do you think that sounds?”
“Dedicated to your theme as ever.”
“Would be weird to stop now. Besides, maybe the next one won’t be such a cowboy, Angus. I love each and every one of them dearly, but they all live up to your family name.”
“You were my sister’s best friend for years before marrying me. You damn well knew what you were getting into.”
“That just makes it frustrating. It’s a hell of a lot to deal with, but at the same time, I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
She freezes, dropping the wooden spoon into the pot and gasping.
“Is something the matter?”
“So much for dinner. I think the baby is coming, Angus.”
A chill hits me. Even the fifth time around I’m nervous about it, but I’m up to the task.