His for the Taking

Epilogue



The ballroom where their glittering reception in Austin was held had sparkling views of Town Lake. Not too many people from Yella had come to celebrate her marriage to Cole, but she didn’t care all that much because her dear friends from Austin were there.

Somebody tapped a knife on a crystal glass to silence the throng.

“A toast to the bride,” rang Hester Coleman’s imperious voice.

“Oh, no,” Cole muttered as he took Maddie’s hand. “Mother, I don’t think—”

Maddie squeezed his fingers. “No, she’s been nice to me lately. Maybe she’s turning over a new leaf. Let her say whatever she has to say. It’s enough that she’s here. Whatever she says, I promise you that I’ll be okay.”

“But this is your day, not hers,” he said. “I want it to be perfect for you.”

“Life is messy,” she said, winking at Miss Jennie when she caught her eye.

“In a long life, people make mistakes,” Hester began. “I’ve made my share. Today, I wish to toast to the happiness of my son and grandson and daughter-in-law. I wish them all joy and long lives!”

“Well, that wasn’t too bad,” Cole muttered, clutching his bride close. “Maybe she’s coming around.”

“Maybe,” Maddie whispered. “Until she does, we have each other again. That’s all that really matters.”

Noah went up to Hester, and the older woman’s face lit up as she knelt to chat. Maddie thought of her own mother, whom she hadn’t invited, whom she wasn’t ready to forgive and maybe never would be. At least with Hester there was the hope of a better relationship in the future.

Cole pulled her close and kissed her, not caring if his mother and everybody watched. Her groom’s kiss swept her away, and she was only dimly aware of the joyous applause that surrounded them, only dimly aware that his mother was clapping, too.

Then Noah left Hester and ran to them. Leaning down, Cole lifted his son into his arms.

“Are we married now?” Noah asked joyously. “Are you my daddy for real?”

“Yes,” Cole said, hugging Maddie to him with his other arm. “For real and forever.”