Marrying the Billboard Cowboy (Christmas in Redemption Ridge)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

K aitlyn’s fingers brushed through Stetson’s dark hair as they settled into the warmth of the living room, the Christmas tree casting a soft glow on his eager face. Zeke stood nearby, his broad shoulders relaxed, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he watched over them, the protective aura never waning, even in such tender moments.

“Stet, you get to open the first one.” She handed him a small package, the paper crinkling under his excited grasp.

“Can I really?” Stetson’s eyes sparkled, mirroring the twinkling lights of their small tree, his vivacious energy a stark contrast to the stillness around them.

“Of course, sweetheart.” Kaitlyn nodded, her heart swelling as she witnessed the joy in her son’s movements.

The wrapping paper tore away with an eagerness that only a child on Christmas could muster. Stetson’s gasp filled the room when the wooden horse set came into view, each piece carved with care from the Second Chance store.

“Look, Mama! Horses!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands together, not a hint of hesitation in his voice.

“To start your very own ranch,” Kaitlyn replied, her words laced with hope for the new life they were building here.

Zeke crouched down next to them, his presence a solid comfort. “That’s a fine herd you have there, Stet. Bet they’re the fastest horses in the West.”

“Can I play with them now?” Stetson’s gaze flickered between the toys and the adults, seeking approval.

“Absolutely,” Zeke said, his casual tone filled with affection.

Kaitlyn’s heart warmed at the sight, her once-wounded soul finding solace in the simple joy of her son. The fortitude that had carried her to this moment seemed to be paying off, the glimmer of a brighter future reflected in the Christmas lights.

The fragrance of pine and the soft hum of Christmas carols filled the room as Zeke reached under the tree for a small, elegantly wrapped box. He held it out to Kaitlyn, his broad shoulders casting a protective shadow in the warm glow of the tree lights. The stubble on his jaw seemed softer somehow, less gruff, as he gave her a tentative smile.

“Kaitlyn, this is for you,” he said, his voice steadier than his hands.

She accepted the gift, her fingers brushing against his. The contact sent a shiver of anticipation through her. Carefully peeling back the paper, she revealed a velvet box that spoke of promises and whispers in the dark. Inside, nestled against the plush lining, lay a delicate necklace with a heart pendant. It caught the light and shimmered like the surface of the lake at sunset.

“Zeke,” she breathed, unable to tear her gaze from the symbol of love that lay before her.

“It’s not just any heart,” he said quietly, watching her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. “It represents my commitment to you…and to Stetson.”

Tears threatened to blur her vision, but she blinked them back, unwilling to miss a moment of the sincerity etched across Zeke’s features. She reached out, her hand trembling slightly as she touched the cool metal of the pendant.

“Thank you, Zeke. It’s beautiful,” she whispered, feeling the weight of his love settle around her neck as he fastened the clasp.

With the necklace now resting against her skin, Kaitlyn turned to the small pile of gifts she had prepared. She chose a modestly wrapped package, its corners carefully folded and taped by hands more used to holding onto hope than gift wrap. Handing it to Zeke, she watched his deliberate movements, so unlike the reckless abandon of Stetson’s earlier unwrapping.

“Your turn,” she said softly.

Zeke opened the package with the same care she’d taken to seal it, revealing a handmade photo album. The cover was simple, yet the effort behind it spoke volumes. A few photographs already filled some of the slots—snapshots capturing moments of laughter, tender glances, and the sprawling beauty of Redemption Ridge Ranch.

“I wanted us to have a place to keep our memories,” Kaitlyn explained, her voice barely above a whisper. “There’s so much room for more because I believe... I know there will be so many more memories to come.”

His gaze lingered on the album, then lifted to meet hers. There was a depth in his eyes, as if he understood every unspoken word that lingered between them.

“Kaitlyn, this means everything,” he said, his casual tone belying the deep emotion that resonated in his words. “I’m looking forward to filling every page—with you, with Stetson, with our future.”

The certainty in his voice wrapped around her like a blanket, warm and secure. Her heart, once guarded and tentative, now beat with a rhythm that sang of trust and new beginnings.

“Me too, Zeke.”

In the soft light of the living room, they shared a smile that felt like the first page of their story together.

Stetson’s small frame buzzed with barely contained excitement as he shuffled closer to Kaitlyn, a folded piece of construction paper clutched in his hands. The Christmas tree’s lights played over his eager face, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the earnest offering.

“Mommy, I made this for you!” His dark eyes, so like hers, shimmered with pride as he thrust the paper into her hands.

Kaitlyn unfolded the gift gently, revealing a vibrant crayon drawing that captured their little family in stick figures: herself, Stetson, and Zeke, surrounded by a menagerie of animals that roamed Redemption Ridge Ranch. Each figure sported a wide smile, and above them, Stetson had scrawled ‘Family’ in his crooked, childlike hand.

“Look, Mommy, that’s Inky,”—Stetson pointed at a horse-like creature with an oversized tail—“and that’s us by the big barn!”

Her heart swelled, warmth spreading through her chest as she traced the lines of their drawn counterparts. “It’s perfect, Stet. This is the best present ever.” She enveloped him in a hug, the paper crinkling between them. “Thank you, baby,” she whispered, feeling her eyes moisten. The tears that threatened to escape were born from a well of gratitude—a life once marked by absences now brimming with presences so cherished.

As they pulled apart, Zeke cleared his throat, an impish twinkle lighting his features. “There’s one last thing before we’re done with presents.”

Kaitlyn glanced up, curious, noting the excitement etched on Zeke’s face. It was a rare break in his usual deliberate demeanor, and it intrigued her.

“Really?” She couldn’t help but smile, her curiosity piqued.

“Trust me,” he said, standing up. “It’s worth getting out of our warm pj’s for.”

They all got dressed, and Zeke ushered them toward the door, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the twinkling lights of the tree.

“Where are we going?” Stetson’s voice carried a note of adventure as they stepped outside, the crisp air biting at their cheeks.

“You’ll see,” Zeke replied, a mysterious lilt to his voice.

The day embraced them, the sun bright overhead as the three of them climbed into Zeke’s truck. Kaitlyn buckled Stetson in his booster seat, then found Zeke’s hand with hers in the front. The engine hummed to life, the warmth from the heater chasing away the chill as they drove down the gravel drive.

Zeke navigated the familiar terrain with ease, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a secret joy he seemed to savor. The way the sunlight spilled across his stubbled jaw, accentuating its sharpness, made Kaitlyn’s heart flutter in a way that had become all too familiar.

“Are we there yet?” Stetson’s voice cut through the stillness, tinged with both exhaustion and excitement.

“Almost, buddy,” Zeke replied, glancing at the boy through the rearview mirror. “You’re going to love it.”

As they crested the final hill, a vast expanse opened before them, the rolling hills blanketed in a pristine layer of white, reflecting the brilliant sun from the cloudless sky. A serene lake lay cradled in the valley, its surface glassy and undisturbed, mirroring the blue sky.

Kaitlyn’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized the spot, memories rushing back in vivid detail—the warmth of the fire, the sound of laughter, the warmth of the dance, the promise of new beginnings. Tears pricked her eyes, not from the bite of the cold, but from the overwhelming sense that she belonged, that this place held pieces of her soul.

“Zeke...” Her voice was barely a whisper, betraying the emotions that swirled inside her.

He turned off the engine, the sudden quiet enveloping them like a hug. With a tender smile, he reached behind his seat and retrieved a long package wrapped in brown paper, tied with a simple red ribbon.

“Go on, open it,” he urged, handing the mysterious parcel to her.

Her hands trembled as she pulled at the ribbon, the long box lifting away to reveal a set of blueprints, their lines and angles precise, dreams etched in ink. She traced a finger over the plans.

“Is this...?” Kaitlyn couldn’t finish, her mind racing to piece together the meaning held within the parchment’s embrace.

“Every family needs a home,” Zeke said softly, watching her with eyes that held the dawn of a new day. “A place to build memories, to grow, to love.”

She looked up from the blueprints, meeting his gaze, and in that moment, the world seemed to pause, hinging on the precipice of tomorrow. The tears that fell now were ones of joy, carving warm paths down cheeks chilled by the kiss of winter.

“This is…” she whispered, her voice thick with gratitude. “This is more than I ever imagined.”

“Wait until you see the sunrise over those hills,” Zeke said, gesturing toward the horizon.

And there, nestled in the heart of Redemption Ridge, amidst the beauty of God’s creation, Kaitlyn saw the depth of Zeke’s love laid out before her—an offering of a lifetime, wrapped not just in paper and ribbon, but in the steadfast promise of protection, family, and enduring faith.

Zeke’s words were a gentle breeze stirring the stillness of the night. “This”—he motioned to the blueprints now spread across the hood of his truck—“is where our journey continues. It’s for us—a place to plant our roots, to create a haven for Stetson, and... for any other little blessings we might be given in time.”

Kaitlyn’s gaze traced the lines of the drawing, her mind weaving dreams into each corner of the sketched rooms. A kitchen where Zeke’s love would simmer in pots of hearty stews, a living room echoing with Stetson’s laughter as they shared stories by the fireplace. Additional bedrooms that they might fill with more children. Children wanted and treasured by both of them. Each space held the whisper of a promise, an invitation to a life she’d only ever dreamed could be hers.

Her heart drummed a rhythm of hope against her ribs, the sound drowning out years of loneliness and struggle. “A home,” she breathed out, the word tasting sweet and full of possibilities.

“More than that,” Zeke continued, his voice rich with conviction. “It’s our testament to what the Lord can do when you trust Him. When you let His strength guide you through the storm to find your harbor.”

“Zeke, I...” Words failed her, emotions cresting like waves within. Kaitlyn stepped closer, closing the distance between her past and their future. Her arms wound around him, pulling him into an embrace that spoke volumes more than her trembling lips ever could.

She felt his heart beat steadily against hers, its pulse a comforting echo of her own. Here was solidity, security—the protective hero who had walked into her story when she least expected it, turning the page to a chapter filled with light.

“Thank you,” she whispered, the phrase a meager offering amidst the vastness of her gratitude.

“Always,” Zeke murmured back, his arms tightening around her slender frame. The stubble on his chin brushed against her forehead, a tactile reminder of the man whose deliberate nature and unwavering faith had become her rock.

The cold air seemed almost warm now, the chill fading away in the heat of the moment they shared.

“Let’s build this together, Kaitlyn,” Zeke said as they reluctantly parted, his dark eyes reflecting the flicker of Christmas lights that adorned the nearby trees. “Every nail, every board, infused with love and prayer, until it’s more than just a house—it’s a home.”

Kaitlyn nodded, her dark eyes shining with unshed tears and the reflection of the future they were about to build. “Together,” she affirmed, her voice a soft echo in the crisp night air, resolute and brimming with the love that had blossomed in the most unexpected of places—Redemption Ridge Ranch with a billboard cowboy.