Carson sighed. “Some things never change.”
“Thank God for that.” Carolyn held her arms open. “Well, kids, come here and give me hugs. Then tell me everything I missed in the past week.”
They gathered around, pushing each other out of the way to be the first in line.
Then they all started talking at once.
She turned her head and looked at Carson.
He gifted her with that dimpled grin and mouthed I love you.
That’s when her topsy-turvy world righted itself.
This chaos was her life and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue
Ten years later…
“See that silver-haired fox over there?” Carson said to Cal. “She’s comin’ home with me tonight.”
“You sure? That guy in the three-piece suit in the corner is eyeballin’ her. Looks like he’s gonna make a move soon.” Cal chuckled. “Of course, he’d have to get up and outta that wheelchair first.”
“Don’t care if he’s in a wheelchair. He puts a hand on her and I’ll beat his wrinkled ass.”
Cal snorted. “Good thing you’re carryin’ around a cane, old man. Your brawlin’ days have been over for a long damn time.”
“Piss off. That woman has been mine for sixty years. I ain’t ever gonna be too old to fight for her.”
Carolyn threw her head back and laughed at something Kyler said. She was holding someone’s baby but there were so many kids around that he couldn’t keep track of which ones belonged to whom.
“She is still something, all right,” Carson said to Cal, never taking his eyes off his wife.
“Yep. Think she’s got a sister?”
“I’ve heard that little whip of a thing is mouthy. Think you can handle her?”
“Been doin’ my level best to handle that spitfire for the past fifty-three years,” Cal said dryly. “Give me another ten years or so and I might have it figured out.”
Carson grinned. “Been a helluva ride, bein’ married to the West sisters.”
“Got that right.” Cal lifted his bottle for a toast. “Best thing I ever did was drag your ass to the dancehall that night.”
He raised his bottle and touched it to his brother’s. “Amen. And if I never said thank you…”
“You did. So how long is this party supposed to last?”
“Hell if I know. That’s the good thing about bein’ old; no one expects us to stay for the whole thing. They think we’re goin’ home early and goin’ to bed.” Which was partially true. He’d be taking his wife home to bed, but they sure wouldn’t be sleeping.
Cal snorted and didn’t say a word, but he knew what was on his brother’s mind, probably because the same thing was on his. “The blonde tornado is givin’ me the stink eye so I’d better see what’s up.”
Carson’s gaze remained on Carolyn until she sensed him staring at her.
After passing the baby to Vi, she started toward him.
The background noise and the groups of people faded away and all he saw was her.
Carolyn moved slower now. She looked a little different. After her accident a decade ago, her hair follicles had sustained damage and her hair had never grown back the right way. He’d expected her vanity would force her into wearing a wig. But she refused and kept her hair in a military crew-cut style. Those once blonde tresses were completely silver. Now she was the very definition of a hot, sexy and hip grandma.
She stopped in front of him.
“You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. How’s about we run off together?”
“Does that line usually work for you, cowboy?”
He traced the edge of her jaw. “It did once. Got me what I wanted and it lasted for six glorious decades. So I wanna make sure you’re onboard for the next six decades with me.”
“Hmm. Well, I might have to think about it… There are pros and cons.”
“Such as?”
“The cons? You are still too handsome for your own good. And you’d prefer to answer all challenges with your fists.You still sneak the occasional cigarette. You cuss like a sailor. You drive like an idiot.” Carolyn placed her hand on his chest, over his heart. “The pros? You’ve got a full head of hair and your own teeth. You make me laugh. You set my blood on fire. You are still the best man I’ve ever known. So, I’ll keep you around for a little while longer.”
“Whew. I was worried there for a second you might want to upgrade this model for a newer one.”
“The training period for a new model is far too long. Besides, they’ve replaced all your worn out parts.”
In the last decade he’d had his other hip replaced and both knees. Most days he felt pretty good. He missed riding. He probably always would.
Carson leaned forward and kissed her. “How’s my bride?”
“Been sixty years since I was a blushing bride.”
“I can still getcha to blush though.”
“That you can, wild man McKay.” Carolyn fussed with the buttons on his shirt.
“Something on your mind?”
She looked up at him, worry in her eyes. “Liesl baked the anniversary cake. She used my Aunt Hulda’s recipe for the traditional German chocolate butter cake we had at our wedding. She’s hounding me to taste it to see if it’s authentic. And I don’t know what to say.”