Trumped Up Charges

Epilogue



Three months later

R.J. stumbled backward as he lifted the toolbox to toss it into the back of Adam’s truck. Adam rushed over to steady him.

“You, okay?”

“Yeah. Doctor said to expect these dizzy spells to hit now and again.”

And they’d hit more often as the days went by. But R.J. was hanging in there. He was a tough old buzzard. Adam still couldn’t make himself call him dad, but they were making progress in their relationship and he figured that would come one day soon.

R.J. leaned against the back of the truck. “Any news on Quinton’s status?”

“The judge denied bail so it looks as if he’ll be in jail until the trial.”

“Even that’s too good for him,” R.J. said. “What about the rest of Matilda’s family?”

“Sam’s out on bail, but I suspect he’ll do some jail time, as he should. According to Janice O’Sullivan, Matilda and her daughter are getting some counseling that Janice both encouraged and insisted on paying for.”

“Good for Janice.”

“Yep. She can be forgiving when she wants to. Hadley says Matilda and her daughter are working hard on going on with their lives as best they can. Matilda’s upset about her son, as any mother would be, but he’s cooperating with the prosecutor now, so he may get some leniency.”

“And how is Janice?”

“Doing great. Still not thrilled about having me back in the family, but the oncologist feels confident that the cancer was completely removed.”

“What about Mary Nell? She saved my granddaughters’ lives. I’d hate to see her spend time in prison.”

“Lane says she’s likely to get off with an extended parole. She not only saved their lives, she made what could have been a horrible ordeal for them into a positive experience. They still ask about her.”

“I’m thinking I’ll offer her a college scholarship, I mean, if that’s all right with you and Hadley. Apparently she was a good student, and she needs to get of that house with her mother and stepfather.”

“That’s fine with me,” Adam said, “and I’m sure it will be great with Hadley. And speaking of Hadley, I’d best get back to work on the house. Do you want to drive out to the site with me?”

“Not this time. But, Adam, in case I haven’t said this before. I’m damn pleased you, Hadley and my granddaughters are moving onto the ranch.”

“So am I, R.J. So am I.”

* * *

“OKAY, COWBOY. I know R.J. put you in charge of making improvements to the ranch, but the house is my department.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Mrs. Dalton.”

“And I carry a big vase, Mr. Dalton.”

“So what changes do you want in the plans now?”

“More bedrooms.”

“More than five?”

“We already have two children. I’d like to have at least three more. And we need guest rooms.”

“Can we put the one for your mother under a separate roof?”

“Absolutely not. She’s coming around. She hasn’t reminded me how you broke my heart in at least....”

“Two days,” Adam said, finishing her sentence. “But I’m just teasing. I kind of like the way she reminds me of how lucky I am to have you.”

“We are lucky, Adam. We have our precious daughters. So as to my list of things that make my world perfect. You look dynamite in jeans and boots. And we are building a house on this beautiful ranch. What more could we want?”

“Nothing, Hadley. Absolutely nothing—except for a couple of sons.”

He pulled her into his arms and into the thrill of his kiss. She would never grow tired of kissing Adam.

He nibbled an earlobe. “You know, since the girls are napping, we could go inside and work on those sons right now.”

One more thing to be thankful for—not that she wouldn’t have loved him in any condition.

But Adam Dalton was all man.

* * * * *