Kate put her attention on Jenny’s parents. “Did the boys tell you that they’re going to build a house out by their cousins’ ranches? They’re going into business with them. The Benedict Consortium is already making a name for itself in rodeo circles as a provider of good rodeo stock. I suspect they’ll become equally famous for their cattle operation, soon.”
The surprise that Kate had for them, mentioned the night her guys had welcomed their horses home, was one that still amazed her when she thought about it. Apparently, Sarah Carmichael Benedict had set aside a special legacy for the children of Lusty who, through honest choice, came back to live where the family began.
The guys would be ranching, and she’d be doing work she loved, too. They were happy to live simply—and to use a tiny bit of Jenny’s inheritance to build a house on the land they’d been given.
“They told us on the phone they’d decided to build,” Jason said. “We’re both so pleased that Jenny came here, to this place. To see how many people care about her.” He took a moment to look around. “To know she has such a community supporting her. Well, what more could a parent wish for his child?”
“We’re family here,” Kate said. “And family is more than just blood. It’s spirit and heart. It’s generosity and selflessness and love.” Kate looked at Camille and Jason. “That blanket of love extends to the two of you, as well.” She stepped a bit closer. “You don’t need to ever worry about the missing details in Jenny’s adoption record. That file has been permanently closed.”
Camille’s eyes misted. Jenny walked over to her mother and hugged her.
Then Kate grinned. “Do you like babies?”
Camille laughed. “Who doesn’t?”
“You must come and meet my new great-granddaughter, Maggie’s new baby, Katherine Abigail Benedict. I’m just tickled pink they named her after me.”
Jenny’s parents flanked her as Grandma Kate led them toward a table and a chance to visit. She could hear Grandma Kate’s voice as she delivered some news. “And I understand there’s about to be a bit of a baby boom here in Lusty, come the spring. I just love new grandchildren!”
“A baby boom, huh?” Parker grinned. He eased Jenny into his arms. Dale moved in close, so she felt cocooned.
“Apparently. I wonder who all else is going to have a new addition?” Dale asked.
“You mean besides Ari and Holly and Chloe?” Jenny sighed. “I don’t know, but I’m willing to bet there are more and that Grandma Kate is aware of every single one of them.”
“Just before we filmed that video that changed our lives, Parker and I were at a crossroads. We were looking for work, on the surface. But we wanted more than just jobs.”
“Jobs were available, and they were interchangeable. What we were hungry for was family—when we didn’t even know what family truly was.”
“I think there are a lot of people drawn here, who are in the same boat,” Jenny said.
“I’ll never forget that moment. I asked Parker what he would wish for if he could have anything in the world.”
“I answered that what I really wanted was to have a home, a family, a place to live where people were decent to each other, where there would be no such thing as alternative facts, and those around you would want to build you up instead of tear you down all the damn time.”
They’d told her some of that before. But now, as she thought about it, she could let them know they weren’t alone. “When I left that brilliant career in Houston, that was what I wanted, too.” Then she smiled. “I guess we all wanted Lusty, and we didn’t even know it.”
“And now we’re here.”
“Yes, and now we’re here.” Jenny had no doubt at all. They had each other, and Lusty.
That meant they really had it all.
THE END
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