Epilogue

“You have to stop crying at some point, honey,” Tess said, holding Claire’s hand tightly.

Claire nodded and wiped her eyes as she looked at the stage. It was a beautiful Montana summer afternoon with not a cloud in the sky. The sunlight filtered through the trees, shading them from the heat, although Chuck and Pedro fanned themselves with the program handout.

Jed turned to Pedro. “This is a wonderful day for you.”

Pedro nodded, and Claire could tell he was fighting to keep his emotions in check. Jed leaned over Tess and placed his shaky hand on Claire’s arm. “I’m so proud right now, Claire.”

Again Claire nodded, clinging to Tess’s strong hand. “I am too, Jed.” She looked at Tess through her tears, watching the summer wind blow through her blond hair, now shimmering with a few strands of silver. In this unguarded moment, Tess smiled, her tears welling in her blue eyes as she kept her gaze on the stage.

“I love you, Tess Rawlins,” Claire whispered.

Tess looked at her then and winked. “You have absolutely no choice in the matter, sweetheart. You’re stuck.”

“Thank God for that.”

Tess leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank God for you.”

The dean of Milburn College addressed the audience, beginning the commencement ceremony. While everyone listened to his speech, Claire had eyes for only one person. In the front row, sitting tall and looking far too grownup, was Jack. On his right was Rebecca, and on his other side, Pedro’s son, Manny. Claire smiled as she remembered how they became friends through these years—good friends that would last a lifetime.

When Jack’s gaze locked with hers, Claire smiled. The flood of memories that flashed before her eyes were so thick she could barely see Jack. What she saw was the happy baby he was and the gentle yet strong man he had become while living on the ranch. She remembered how Tess and her family changed their lives that April morning years ago when she first laid eyes on Tess Rawlins at the bus depot and fell in love. She could say that with absolute surety now after all these years. For Tess had found the way to Claire’s heart, and from that day forward, there were daisies on the kitchen table for Claire; there was no doubt they would love each other the rest of their lives.

She glanced over at Jed, his eyes glistening as Jack, who he regarded as his own son, received his diploma. Along with the rest of the family, Claire knew Jed’s mind had been slowly slipping these past few years, and someday he would be reduced to remembering nothing at all. But, God bless Jack, who would take the leather-bound memoirs of Jeremiah Rawlins, and retell the beginning of the Double R Ranch. He would sit by the fire and read it over and over, willing Jed not to forget. It was, at times, heartbreaking for her and Tess to watch.

“That’s my boy,” Jed whispered now as he watched.

Yes, Claire thought, that’s our boy.

With the diplomas handed out, Jack, Rebecca, and Manny made their way through the crowd of graduates and family to where they stood. Claire hugged him so fierce around the neck Jack made a laughing strangling noise and tried to keep his graduation cap on his head. Tess laughed along and gently pulled Claire away.

Jack leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. He turned to Tess, and as he kissed her, he whispered, “Thank you for loving my mother.”

Tess pulled back and swallowed. “My honor by far, Jack.”