The Originals (Ghosttown Riders #10)

Epilogue

Present day

The world was forever changing. Most days it was hard to keep up. The past seemed so long ago, and it was. Yet, there were some things that stayed the same. Places that hadn’t lost their beauty through the years. The corner of her mouth curled as her gaze slowly scanned the tree-lined water.

The river in Ghosttown.

Colleen hadn’t been there in years. But decades ago, this was her place where she’d found the most peace. Decisions, bad and good, were made in this very spot. She fell in love on this riverbank. She glanced down at the ground, digging her heels into the soft earth. Planted but not growing. Those words had stuck and forever changed the course of her life. Whether she wanted it or not.

She drew in a deep breath, let it go, and she slowly looked up, staring across the calm water.

“I can almost see you,” she muttered under her breath.

It had been decades since she’d last seen him. A lifetime lived without him. And still, the news that he’d passed hit her harder than anything she’d experienced up until this point. Two divorces, a sick sibling, and single motherhood. Surely, there would’ve been a moment or two more painful.

No.

It was unexplainable. And she didn’t even try to understand. Colleen just let herself grieve the hard loss. Alone. She hadn’t spoken to anyone about him. Not her family or friends. Not even her son. They wouldn’t understand. How could they? On the day she’d left Ghosttown so many years ago, it was the last time she’d said his name. At least out loud.

The irony of it all. The person who’d impacted her life the most was the one person she never talked about again. That’s because for a short while he was all hers. Even years later, she wanted to keep him and the memories all to herself. The only thing in life that was ever truly mine.

It didn’t mean she hadn’t listened. It was rare that she reached out to anyone in her past. That was her old life, and she’d made a promise to move forward with a new one and not look back. It was easier said than done. He wasn’t the only one who’d left his mark on her. There had been a few others. One in particular.

She hadn’t spoken to Maureen often. Every few years Tully’s wife would call and check in with her. They talked about everything—except him . It was an unspoken rule and one that Maureen respected. Until five years ago.

“Jack passed away a few days ago.”

How does one live in a world where Jack Reilly didn’t exist? Colleen cupped her mouth, willing away her tears, but it was useless. Some things in life couldn’t be controlled. The depth of her mourning was one of them. Five years later, it was still a gnawing ache in her chest. My heart.

At the time, she’d considered reaching out to his sons, his brothers in the club, and paying her condolences. For a fleeting moment, she’d contemplated actually going to the funeral. She’d even gone as far as packing her suitcase, taking a few days off work, and stopping her mail. She was almost out the door. But she remembered what she’d promised. I won’t come back.

She snorted, shaking her head with a small smile playing on her lips. This was the first time she’d broken her promise to him. He’d be pissed, and she looked forward to receiving that scolding. In a few weeks, maybe a month. But for now?

“Hi Jack.”

Hey, darlin’.

She gasped, her tears streaming down her face, but she couldn’t help but smile, hearing his voice in her head. All these years later, and she never forgot the sound of it.

“I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be. Just like you promised.”

Yeah.

“It wasn’t perfect.” Colleen laughed, brushing her cheeks. “Not even close.”

Two marriages ending in divorce. They hadn’t stood the test of time. Colleen always wondered if it had been her fault. Doomed from the beginning because in her eyes, no man would ever measure up to Jack.

Her eyes glanced over the river. “I just wanted to see it one last time, you know?”

Yeah, I know.

“It hasn’t changed.” She tucked her hands in her pockets, lifting her shoulders to her ears. She scanned the river, searching for something different. She craned her neck, glancing up. The trees had probably grown, some had most likely died or fallen over the years. But she couldn’t see it. The Ghosttown river was exactly how she remembered. The warm breeze felt like a comforting hug welcoming her home .

“I changed, though.” She sighed. “I hung up my bartender hat and went back to school.” She groaned slightly then laughed. “I always hated school, and well, that didn’t change, but” —her chest tightened with pride— “I did it. Got my GED, even went to the local college, got a degree. It took me a lot longer than most people. I had to work three jobs just to pay for it, but um” —she swallowed the knot in her throat and whispered— “I did it.”

Proud of you, darlin’.

She sucked in air as her eyes welled and her vision blurred. Those words hit her hard. They meant something coming from him. It was almost as if he was there. Beside me.

“I got married. Then divorced. Then married again, and well, I realized maybe marriage isn’t for me.” She laughed through her tears. Colleen stared off at the river. “But I have a son. That boy saved me, Jack. Gave me the life you promised I’d have. The one I deserved.”

And the one that would come to an end shortly. Her diagnosis was terminal. There were options to prolong her life, give her a few more months at best. It’s what her family would’ve wanted had they known. But not me. Not many would understand, but she didn’t want her last days spent with everyone waiting on her death. She chose to keep her prognosis to herself. Maybe it was selfish, but with fate stepping aside and letting her steer her ride, she was going to leave this earth on her terms.

She’d spent the last two weeks with her son. He hadn’t had a family and might not ever, but he was enjoying his life. A free spirit who refused to settle down. The only man to ever get her on a motorcycle after she’d left Ghosttown. It was his prized possession. He just loved the ride. Like father, like son. It was hard saying goodbye to her son. But she’d done right by him and left him with a lot of good memories.

Kid got a name?

Colleen’s eyes welled, and the knot in her throat tightened. “Named him after his dad. He’s the spitting image of him.”

A daily reminder of a beautiful memory.

She took a final look at the place that sparked one of her fondest memories. One she’d thought about over the years. And she’d continue to keep for the next few weeks until she closed her eyes for the last time. She had rented a small bungalow at the beach. It was off season and wouldn’t be crowded. She’d enjoy the calm, the quiet and tranquil solitude.

This was her last stop before her final destination.

Ghosttown.

“Well.” She drew in a breath. “I should be going. As always, you were the best listener.” She turned, staring up at the path. “One more thing.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I regret leaving. Every day.” She whispered and sniffled. “You were my one that got away , Jack.”

It was almost strange to admit, though she’d been saying it in her head for years. Between the good times and the bad, Jack Reilly was never too far from her thoughts. The would’ve, could’ve, should have been. It was hard to let that go.

She took a few steps.

“Hey!”

Colleen immediately halted and spun around. It was his voice, but it sounded different from the one in her head. She peered around, but she was alone.

And you were mine, Coll.

Her chest tightened, her heart raced, and a calm washed over her. She ducked her head and smiled, taking one last look at the river. The memories.

“I’ll see you soon, Jack.”

I’ll be waiting, darlin’.

She’d finally get her happily ever after with Jack Reilly. For eternity.

Colleen walked up the narrow embankment. It was steep. Far more treacherous than she’d remembered. She reached out to steady her wobbling. She was at the edge of the opening to the dirt lot where she’d parked and realized she wasn’t alone, after all. Two trucks were parked on the side of her car. There was a man with long light hair, tied back at the nape of his neck standing next to the passenger side door, scowling at the little girl close to the front fender.

“Hey, what did I just tell you?”

The little girl raised her brows. “You said not to touch it.”

His jaw squared. “And what are you doing?”

The little girl looked down at her hands clasping onto what appeared to be a knife. “Touching it.”

Colleen flattened her lips, keeping her smile at bay. She remembered those days. Somehow, it was a lot funnier now that they were long past her.

The man shook his head and walked to the back of the truck muttering something. It was hard to make out, but it was so reminiscent. “Jesus fucking Christ.”

The other man with the darker hair laughed and slapped his back. “She’s your kid, man.”

Colleen slowly walked over. She’d have to pass them in order to get to her car. She took a wide angle and was about ten feet away when she saw the contents of the truck bed. It was filled with camping gear.

“Whose fucking idea was this?”

“Yours. Pretty sure you said it was tradition taking the kids camping by the river.”

“Fuck me.”

The dark haired man chuckled and turned, smiling over at Colleen. “How’s it going?”

Colleen smiled with a nod, “It’s going…”

Oh my God. She blinked staring at the man. No, it can’t be. He raised his brows, and she was laser focused on his eyes. Brown and unassuming. They shouldn’t be special. But they are. I know those eyes.

“You alright?” He took a step forward, and she got an even closer look. He was much older. A man now. But I know that face.

She darted her gaze to the other man. And I know yours. What were the chances? It seemed fate wasn’t quite done with her yet. She stared far too long. How could she not? Pounding footsteps knocked her out of her daze as the little girls came racing around the back of the truck. Colleen blinked, glancing over at them. There was no doubt these were their daughters. It was all in the eyes.

“You need something?” Kase asked.

She looked up at the older of the two and smiled. “No, I’m fine. Actually, I’m really good.”

He furrowed his brows, shared a look with his brother, and nodded.

“Enjoy your day.”

“Yeah, you too,” Caden said, eyeing her suspiciously.

Colleen passed both men and gave in to her grin as she looked up at the sky.

“Your boys, Jack,” she whispered.

Yeah. My boys with their little girls. Fucking perfect. Better fathers than I ever was.

Colleen stopped and craned her neck, looking up. “No, Jack. They were led by example. Good men raise good dads.”

No response. Colleen didn’t expect one. Jack never did take well to compliments. But…

Hurry your ass up, darlin’.

“I’m coming, Jack.” She chuckled, ducking her head and sliding into the driver’s seat. She turned the engine over and glanced at Jack’s boys. Caden had one of the girls on his hip, and he gathered his gear, nodding at the older girl who was bouncing on her toes. Kase was shaking his head but had his girl clone leaning into the truck. She was a mini-replica of him.

Jack’s beautiful legacy.

It wasn’t the perfect ending to a story. But it was an unconventional happily ever after with everyone ending up exactly where they were supposed to be. This was one of those moments where people raised their glasses and celebrated a life worth living. A legend in his own time.

Cheers, Jack Reilly!

Cheers, darlin’!

The End