“My turn.” He unzipped her long denim skirt and strung kisses down her belly to her bare feet as he slid the skirt down to the floor.

“I feel like we’re the only two people in the world right now,” she whispered.

“We are, darling,” he said, “and we’re going to feel like this real often in the next fifty or sixty years.”

Epilogue

Epilogue

Five months later

The wedding was a simple affair held in Stevie and Cody’s living room with just the immediate family and Beau. The preacher stood in front of the fireplace, and Cody and Jesse were to his left. Cody’s palms were sweaty, and he could hardly lasso one of the thoughts that kept circling through his mind. He had worked so hard on his vows, and now he was afraid he would forget them.

Mia started the music on the CD player, and then Stevie appeared in the doorway on Sonny’s arm. Sunshine poured through the window, putting all kinds of highlights in Stevie’s red hair. She wore a simple off-white dress and had a ring of tiny yellow roses in her hair, and Cody thought she had never looked more beautiful. His mouth went dry, and he wanted to cross the room and kiss her right then and there. He knew she was walking so slowly because Sonny had to lean on his cane, but to Cody she was floating to him like an angel straight from heaven.

When they were standing in front of Cody, she let go of Sonny’s arm, and he focused on his son. “Son, I want you to love this woman like I have loved your mother. Become one in heart, mind, and spirit with her. I’m putting my blessing on this union and I’m hoping that you live to enjoy many years together. And”—his father’s old eyes twinkled—“produce lots of grandchildren for me and your mother to enjoy.”

A few chuckles filled the room, but Cody just nodded. “Yes, sir, I’ll do my very best.”

Sonny turned to Stevie. “We are glad to welcome you to the Ryan family, and what I said to Cody goes for you too.”

“You’ve got my word that I will make it happen,” Stevie said.

“Your word is good enough for me,” Sonny said, and then shuffled over and sat down beside Pearl on the sofa.