I smile and hold her hand in mine. She’s spunky and I like it.
“I hope you like families,” Henry says, leading the way for us all to head inside, “because this one is about a mountain wide.”
I hold Raven’s hand as we step into the cabin and greet the room of people all looking back at us. I don’t know their names yet, but the light on Raven’s face when she sees them all is everything I need to know. This is her home. These are her people… and I can’t wait to be a part of it.
Epilogue
Gage
One Year Later
Raven lays out on the couch with her hand resting on her forehead. She wears one of my flannel shirts with the top button fastened while the rest of the top flies open, making room for her perfectly round belly that protrudes from her abdomen. We’re seven months along today.
“I think the party went well, don’t you?”
She nods. “I think I’m the only girl in the world that still gets full blown birthday parties courtesy of mom and dad. I hope it never stops.”
“I’m just glad your mom gave up on the tattoo hunt.”
“Well, to be fair, she did make you talk to that psychic for a full thirty minutes last year to get a vibe before she trusted you.”
I laugh. “I don’t blame her. Hell, I’ll probably be doing the same withourdaughter.” I place my hand over her stomach, moving in circles as I wait for Sienna to kick, but she doesn’t until Raven’s phone rings.
“It’s Addie,” she says. “I’ll put it on speaker.”
I nod my head and continue on with my rubbing. Addie is a huge part of Raven’s life and has subsequently become a part ofmylife.
“Hey, girl,” Raven says, setting the phone on her swollen breasts as she talks. “What’s up? Did you hear back from that guy you were talking to?”
“Sort of. He’s coming back to town this week for the opening of that club. I’m going to see what trouble I can stir.”
Raven laughs and darts me a look of worry. “You are good at starting trouble, aren’t you?”
“What does that mean? You’re the one that rolled back here a year ago with all the secrets.”
Raven laughs. “And now I hear about it constantly.”
“Just promise me that when I make the same bad decisions with Mr. Dirty Talk, you’ll cover for me the same way I did for you.”
“Mr. Dirty Talk? Who’s that?”
“The guy,” her voice strains. “The club guy. He’s got this way about him that’s like,” she sighs, “we were having a donut down at Josie’s bake shop when he was here last, and he didn’t just eat it. He told me all the things he loved about it. The creamy center, the sugary icing, the way it melted in his mouth. You have no idea how hot it was.”
My brows raise as I look toward Raven.
“Well then,” Raven says, “let’s hope he takes an apply all approach… for your sake.”
“Yes,” Addie sighs, “I agree. Anyway, I just wanted to call and see how you’re feeling after the party today. Your mom acted like you were dying, not pregnant.”
Raven smiles. “She did, but I’m her first born and I don’t know… I get it. She wants to protect me.”
“Well look at you,” Addie chirps. “Your motherly instincts are already kicking in. You’re a savant. Must be all that Professor fucking.” She laughs harder than she should. “Sorry… sorry… you know me, always keeping it real.”
Raven and I smile as well. “I love your realness… and I can’t wait to hear about your dirty talking club owner. People say it’s going to bring a lot of tourism into the area. It’ll be good for the tattoo shop, and for my art studio.”
“I’ll let you go. I’m sure you have to pee or eat a pickle or something.” She laughs again. “Love you, girl.”
“Love you more,” Raven says, disconnecting the line.