Roy marveled at how much his life had changed since Beverly had entered it. She was passionate about her work, and she inspired him to be better too. He felt so lucky to have found someone who shared his values and work ethic.
"One night a week," he said suddenly, "at least once a night, but hopefully more, we need to have a date night. I know with your job it won't always be the same night, but we need to spend time together."
"A night just devoted to one another."
"Yes."
"I own my own company," she said. "In contracts going forward, I can make it that I only work Monday through Friday. We can go to mass together every Sunday and spend the day together. How does that sound?"
"Perfect," he said. "Simply perfect."
Epilogue
Lawrence Spangler stood before the Easter grotto. It was beautiful, and he found himself coming here time and again just so he could have a moment to relax.
He didn’t often get the chance to relax. Just about every work day, Lawrence tried to get his chores done as efficiently and quickly as possible. Not because he wanted to rush home or because he had a wife and kids to tend to.
Just in case there was a fire somewhere in the canyon.
The last thing he wanted was to leave his brothers and the Griffins with a ton of chores to do while he was out fighting a fire.
Like the previous owner before him, Colton knew that Lawrence might have to leave at the drop of a hat. If he didn’t go out with his brothers for dinner after the work day was done, Lawrence often would go to the fire department to hang out with his second family.
Fires didn’t tend to wait for anyone.
Go, go, go, go. That was how Lawrence’s life went, and while it wasn’t an easy path, he wouldn’t give it up for anything. It was crazy and hectic and exciting.
But it was also lonely.
He hadn’t realize noticed just how lonely it was, not until Colton and now Roy had found girlfriends. Lawrence knew deep down that both of those relationships had staying power. They were going to stand the test of time, but Lawrence? He hadn’t been on a date in years. He couldn’t remember when exactly it was. He was just too busy for love, pure and simple.
But that didn’t mean he wanted to always be single.
“Mind if I join you?” his youngest brother asked.
“You’re fine, Myles.” Lawrence grinned at him.
“You look sad,” Myles noted.
Lawrence chuckled. “My smile too fake, huh?”
“What’s going on?”
“I was just… You’re young yet. You have time.”
“Time for what?” Myles tilted his head to the side.
“To find love.”
“Ah,” Myles said with a nod. “You’re thinking about Colton and Roy.”
“Yes. They’ll get married one day.”
“Most likely.” Myles shrugged. “I always thought you would settle down with a female fire fighter.”
Lawrence shook his head. “No. Unless we get a new one, all of the females are already married or in committed relationships.”
“Then help me convince Colton to hire a cowgirl.” Myles laughed.