~Epilouge~

October 2018

Katie sat next to Justin's headstone on the west side of the ranch and sighed. Justin was buried in the family plot on the K Rocker, having been laid to rest next to his parents and grandparents. It had been two and a half years since he had passed away, today would've been their twelfth wedding anniversary. While she had fallen into a new routine with the boys, she still missed her husband terribly. So much had changed and yet so much had stayed the same.

"The pediatrician called about Gussy the other day," Katie began as she cleared some debris off her husband's grave. Pausing she turned her plain wedding band on her ring finger, a habit she had developed since Justin had died. "His heart is starting to show some problems, all symptoms of the Down's syndrome. They told me not to worry, but with you gone, I can't help but worry." Katie paused as she looked up at the sky.

"I got your letter and the flowers. I think it's sweet you asked Ted to do this for me, it's so much more than I deserve. Oh, Justin, I miss you so much."

"Mom," Katie turned and saw William riding up on his new horse, Amos. "Uncle Colten called. He said they had they had the ultrasound today and had a big surprise for us. He wants to take us all out for supper in about an hour or so."

"Okay honey, thanks for telling me. I'll be up shortly. Let me tell Daddy goodbye." Katie smiled to her son.

William smiled a sweet smile back. He nodded and turned his horse and rode towards the main ranch house. Katie sat in silence for a few moments before pulling the letter Justin had written her out of her pocket.

"I know what you want me to do," Katie said clutching the letter tightly. "I just don't know if I can. I miss you so much, Justin." She paused to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"But," she whispered, "I'm going to try for you.  I'm going to try living for you. I love you, Justin. I'll visit again soon." Katie stood up and walked over to Beau before mounting him and riding home. She made it to the barn when she saw Sam unloading some feed and a new hand they had recently hired, Clint, unsaddling Amos for William.

"Hey Ms. Katie," Clint greeted as he poured some feed into the bucket for Amos. Katie just smiled and walked towards Beau's stall. After unsaddling and brushing her horse, Katie turned to go in and change. She paused, clutching the letter in her pocket before turning and walking towards Sam.

"Hey," she greeted the cowboy who had become invaluable to her over the last few years. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Okay," Sam smiled his easy going smile, his blu eyes not missing her nervous smile or the way her fingers spun her ring around.

"I was wondering if you'd be free for coffee next Saturday?"

Sam was caught off guard. He hadn't expected that from Katie at all. He studied her closely before responding. "Sure, I'll ask the boss if I can get the morning off."

Katie smiled a breathtaking smile that left Sam stunned for a minute.

"I'm not sure she'll give you the time off," Katie teased. "I heard she's a real task master." Sam just chuckled at her shaking his head. He hadn't been expecting the invitation but would be lying if he didn't say it excited him. Sam has been in love with Katie for at least a year but had never acted on his feelings, he knew she was still mourning the loss of Justin.

"That she is ma'am, that she is. Pick you up at nine? We can go to town for breakfast too if ya like."

"I'd like that Sam," Katie smiled again "I guess I need to head in. William said we've got to go to town to celebrate with Colten and them. Something about an ultrasound." Sam just nodded and smiled back. Before he realized what he was doing his hand reached out and brushed a strand of her blonde hair off her face. Katie's eyes grew wide as she felt the current of electricity run through her. Saying a hasty goodbye, she turned and all but ran into the house.

After a quick shower, Katie called downstairs to Melody, the housekeeper she had hired two years ago, to go ahead and start loading the boys into her Suburban. Sitting on her bed, Katie looked at the letter from Justin one more time.

My Dearest Katie-Did,

Happy Anniversary my love. I hope you smile today thinking of all the good times we shared. Today of all days, I want you to smile. I love you darling.

Promise me that you are living my sweet Katie. I know that you love whole heartedly, but I don't want you to wall off your heart. I can't be there for you and the boys but I want you to find someone who can be. I know you don't want to, but just ask someone you find worthy out for a cup of coffee. That's all, just coffee. If they can handle you drinking coffee, then you'll know you've met your match. Don't worry about betraying me, if you're happy than I am.

I love you darling. I love our boys too. Until we meet again.

All my love,

Justin