“Congratulations, Sheriff Forrester.” Todd Baxter grinned at his brother-in-law. “How does it feel to be the youngest man ever elected sheriff in this county?”

“I can’t tell a lie,” Matt said. “It feels fantastic. My only regret is that a heart attack forced Pat Langley to retire. Of course, if it weren’t for Savannah here, I would still be on the front lines getting shot at.”

Matt reached across the dinner table and patted his wife’s hand. She smiled back, and that familiar arrow of joy shot clean through him. Marrying Savvy had been the best move he’d ever made. It was two days after the election, and they were sitting at the kitchen table having a small family celebration.

“But don’t you miss the excitement, the sense of adventure that comes with being in the field?” Todd asked. “Even just a little bit?”

“Daddy,” Cody insisted loudly. “Piggyback ride.” The boy grabbed Matt’s fingers and tugged.

“Are you kidding?” Matt responded to Todd. “Tracking hard-core felons would be a sedate change of pace from raising a three-and-a-half-year-old.” Matt cast a sideways glance at Ginger’s extended tummy. “But then, you’ll find out soon enough.”

“Now,” Cody insisted.

“Come here, son.” Matt hefted the boy into his lap. “Of course, three-week-olds aren’t much tamer.” Matt smiled at his brand-new baby daughter, Marissa Angelique, who they’d just adopted, as she lay sleeping in the bassinet parked next to the table. “Are they, Savvy?”

“And you were the one who always thrived on danger,” Savannah said. “I think that’s a far-fetched story. One dirty diaper and you’re done for.”

Matt never could have imagined it, but the thrills and trials of being a father were unequaled. And his love for Savannah had never burned as brightly as it had the day they’d said: “I do.” At that moment, he’d known his life was totally complete.

Savannah smiled at her husband. Over the past year, their love had grown, expanding into a bright, shining thing so wonderful she scarcely believed her own happiness. But this time, she wasn’t afraid of losing him.

Her life had swelled to overflowing. She was proud of Matt and his new career. He’d spent the last two years helping her get the ranch operating in the black, and now he’d won the sheriff’s seat by a landslide.

And looking after Cody and Marissa left no room in her mind for worry. For the first time since her mother’s death, Savannah felt unencumbered by fear. Matt’s love had given her the key to freedom. He would be there to share her concerns, in good times and in bad.

The back door swung open, and Clem stepped in. “Miss Savannah,” he said. “Looks like we got trouble.”

“What is it, Clem?” Matt asked, setting Cody on the floor and pushing back from the table. Alarmed, Savannah stood up beside him.

“Two of them Gerts are trying to deliver at the same time. I’m gonna need some help out here. We had no idea what we were getting into when we got them all back.”

Savannah breathed in a sigh of relief. Living on a ranch was never dull, and neither was life with Matt.

“Well, Savvy, are you sorry you married me?” Matt asked, a wry grin on his face. He retrieved his Stetson from the hat rack and settled it onto his head.

“Never,” she whispered.

“You love me?” he asked, stepping over to give her a quick kiss.

“With all my soul.”

“For how long?” he asked, one eyebrow cocked as they exchanged their daily repartee.

“Until the twelfth of never,” she replied, her heart singing with joy. “I’ll still be loving you.”

Dear Reader, I hope you have enjoyed reading, Matt.

If you have the time, I would so appreciate a review. Just a couple of words will do. A review is different from leaving a rating for Amazon. Authors don’t see those ratings and we don’t get your feedback, but we do see your reviews. Thank you so much for leaving a review. You are appreciated!

If you would like to read more Texas Rascals, the third book in the series is Nick. Available here:

 

For an excerpt of Nick, please turn the page.

Thank you for reading.—Much love, Lori Wilde

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