The endless Oregon sky was breathtaking, the kind of breathtaking Hannah hadn't been able to feel or see before she'd met Maddox. Today? It filled her entire soul with pure beauty and joy, echoing through the deepest parts of her heart.

Hannah hugged her knees to her chest, riveted by the incredible array of pink, orange, and purple illuminating the evening sky across the Oregon high desert. She was sitting on top of a wide, flat rock that was almost twenty feet wide and ten feet high. She, Ava, and Maddox were in the final evening of two glorious months on the Hart ranch, becoming a part of the family she'd rejected for so long. All the rebellious, damaged teenagers who had once saved her had become the amazing, loving family she'd never known how to have.

She'd fallen in love with them all over again, a love that had filled her heart with joy and a sense of belonging and roots that she'd never had before. It had also, however, brought with it new tears, because she could see the shadows in the eyes of every Hart, and she knew that they were all still healing from their assorted pasts. They all needed the same kind of healing she had found with Maddox. She hoped they each would get their chance at the life they deserved, especially Brody, who had more weight in his eyes than all of them put together. She had a feeling he was almost irretrievably broken, and getting closer to the precipice with each day.

Despite the burdens they carried, each one of her seven brothers and two sisters had the most enormous hearts, an unbending sense of loyalty, and a shared sense of camaraderie that shone light into even the darkest of moments. She'd even gotten to see Wyatt Parker, who, like her, had lived with the Harts for a while, but never taken their last name. Wyatt owned a ranch in town with his new wife, Noelle, who Hannah had adored immediately.

The Harts had taken to Ava the same way they'd taken care of Hannah and Katie when they were young, and Ava had flourished under their attention. Even Maddox had been drawn into their family, tempted back into his cowboy roots by her brothers.

Tonight was their last night on the ranch before heading back to Wyoming. Hannah and Maddox had wanted to do something special for Ava, and Brody had directed them to Sunset Rock as the place to go. He'd told them it was the perfect spot on the Hart ranch for an evening picnic, followed by a gorgeous sunset, and capped off by a few hours of watching shooting stars.

They'd arrived in late afternoon, enjoyed an amazing feast, and some Frisbee. After dinner, Maddox and Ava had ridden off to a nearby stream to play in the water, while Hannah had relaxed, relishing every moment of her amazing life. She looked up at the sky, and smiled, somehow knowing that Katie was looking down on them, smiling. "I love you, sis. I wish you could be here with us." But even as she said it, she knew in her heart that Katie was there, filling them with love. There was still sadness that would never leave, but at the same time, Hannah felt a sense of peace and acceptance.

Life was beautiful. She was so grateful that she and Ava had been given a second chance to find a meaningful life, and find it they had. Life was beautiful. Love was beautiful. Family was beautiful.

A shriek of laughter echoed across the plains, and Hannah turned her head toward the sound. Ava and Maddox were racing toward her on their mounts, both of them laughing and waving their cowboy hats like they were chasing down bandits in the Old West.

The most amazing sense of rightness filled Hannah as she watched her daughter, and the man she loved gallivanting in the rays of the setting sun. Maddox moved with the horse as if he were one with the animal, a truly gifted rider. Ava was a little less graceful, but she was fearless and bold, waving her hot pink cowboy hat as if she were taking on the world.

Keegan had presented Marble to Ava as soon as they had stepped out of Maddox's truck onto the ranch. Ava had been thunderstruck when Keegan had handed her the lead line and told her that the adorable brown and white pony was hers forever. Then she'd walked up to Marble, put her nose against his, looked into his eyes, and started whispering to him.

The bond had been instant, and Marble was coming back home to Wyoming with them. Hannah was pretty certain that she was going to walk into Ava's bedroom one morning and find Marble curled up on the bed with her, both of them sound asleep.

She waved at her daughter. "Looking great, sweetheart!"

Ava waved back, holding both arms above her head, giggling with laughter as they neared.

Hannah rested her chin on her knees as she watched Maddox and Ava rein in, and dismount. Ava handled her pony with confident ease, whispering to him, the same whispers she used to use with Alfred.

There was so much light and excitement in Ava's eyes nowadays, but still, no words. But Hannah knew they were coming soon. She had a feeling Ava was almost ready.

Maddox patted the rock. "Climb on up, pumpkin. It's time for dessert."

Ava scrambled up the side of the rock with ease, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She plopped down next to Hannah, and helped herself to one of the chocolate chip cookies that Keegan had made for her. Surprisingly, Keegan was a baker, and owned a bakery in town. He'd loved meeting Lissa when he'd been in Wyoming, and the two of them were already plotting an online gourmet bakery.

In a few moments, Maddox finished taking care of the horses, and then climbed up. He looked incredibly sexy in his cowboy hat and boots. He'd traded in his bounty hunting gig for the moment, helping the Harts with the horses. She'd seen light in his eyes that she hadn't seen before when he was working with the horses, and she knew he'd found his way back to what he loved as well. He had already told Chase he'd help out on the ranch when they were back in Wyoming, and she had a feeling that they'd be settling down on the Stockton property before too long.

He sat down next to her and put his arm around her. "Gorgeous evening, isn't it?"

Hannah nodded. "It's so beautiful. I've had the best time here. I can't believe we're going back to Wyoming tomorrow."

Maddox was quiet for a moment. "Do you want to stay here?"

"Stay here?" She looked at him, startled by his comment. "But your family is in Wyoming."

He shrugged. "I like it here, too. Besides, the Stocktons are your family, too. The Harts have made it pretty clear that I'm in with them, so we both have family in both places." He winked at her. "Seems like getting you to love me is the secret ticket to being one of them, which is awesome, because I love your family."

Her heart tightened at his words. "I love them, too," she admitted, words she had never been able to acknowledge, let alone articulate, until Maddox had taught her about love.

"They love Ava, too." He looked over his shoulder. "Ava, sweetheart? What do you think? Do you want to live in Wyoming with the Stocktons, or in Oregon with the Harts?"

She held up two fingers, and both Hannah and Maddox laughed. "You want both?" he asked.

Ava nodded, chocolate chip cookie crumbs decorating her cheeks.

Hannah smiled, and rested her head against Maddox's shoulder. "I want both, too," she said. "Can we do both?"

"Yeah. Both works for me, too. I'd like that." he laughed softly. "Who'd have thought I'd be on board with all this family stuff? But I love it, and I will always love you for bringing all of them into my life, among other reasons, of course." Maddox pressed a kiss to her head. "How are you feeling, sweetie? Happy?"

She nodded. "My heart feels like dancing all the time." She pulled back to look at him. "These last six months with you have been incredible, Maddox. I didn't know what happiness was, until I met you, until you brought us into your family and brought the Harts back to me. I couldn't love them until you taught me how to love." She rested her hand against his whiskered cheek. "I love you so much, Maddox, to the end of time."

He smiled, a tender, wonderful smile that made her heart fill with sunshine. "I love you, too, sweetheart." He looked over at Ava. "And I love you, pumpkin."

Ava tapped her heart with her finger and smiled at him.

Maddox held out his hand to her. "Come here, Ava."

She grabbed another cookie, and then crawled across the rock and snuggled against his side, tucking herself in the crook between Hannah and Maddox. Hannah smiled, and kissed Ava's head, so grateful for how Maddox had also taught Ava to trust and to feel safe again. "It feels so right, the three of us together," she said.

"I agree." Maddox paused for a moment. "Hang on a sec. I'll be right back." He disentangled himself from them, then climbed down the rock to his saddlebags. He fished around in them for a moment, then climbed back up.

This time, however, he didn't sit with them. He knelt in front of them. "Ava, I want you to know that I never thought of having kids until I met you. You changed me. I love you, and I want to be a part of your life every moment, and be there as you grow up, to hold you when you fall, to cheer you when you leap, and to love you every moment."

Hannah's heart tightened, and she felt Ava nestle more tightly against her, the little girl's gaze riveted to Maddox.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. "This is for you, pumpkin."

Ava took the box and opened it. Inside was a heart locket. Ava opened it, and Hannah saw it contained a photograph of Maddox and Ava grinning at the camera, both of them covered in brownie batter from a kitchen food fight they'd had just before leaving Wyoming. They were both laughing so hard, their joy so vibrant that it was almost tangible. The love and joy in the picture was electric, and it perfectly summed up the bond between the two of them.

"Ava, hon." Maddox cleared his throat, his warm gaze steady on the little girl. "That locket is my promise to you that I will always be there for you. I want to be your dad. Will you be my daughter?"

Hannah's throat tightened, and tears burned.

Ava stared at him solemnly for a long time, then she nodded. "Yes."

Yes? Hannah gasped, and Maddox's eyes widened. He looked at Hannah, and she saw her own tears reflected in his eyes. Ava had spoken. After a year of silence, Ava was finally back, and she'd come back for Maddox.

He recovered more quickly than Hannah did, and he held out his arms. Ava jumped into his arms, clinging to him. "I love you, Maddox," she whispered.

Maddox hugged her back. "I love you, too, Ava."

Ava pulled back. "Can I call you Dad?"

He nodded, his face so alive with joy that Hannah knew she'd never stop crying. "You bet." He kissed her forehead. "There's one thing, though. I think we need your mom's okay."

Ava grinned at Hannah. "Mom, is it okay if Maddox is my dad?"

Mom. Ava had called her Mom. Oh, God. The tears wouldn't stop now.

"Wait. I want to ask her." Maddox tucked Ava on his hip and faced Hannah. "Hannah, these last six months with you have made me happier than I knew was possible. I love you more every minute. My entire soul settles whenever you are near, whenever I hear your voice, or brush against you. My life was darkness before I met you, and it has all changed. Every day, the sun shines brighter. I know I've got flaws, but if there's any way that you can put up with them..." He paused, reached into his pocket, and pulled out another jewelry box.

A ring box.

He flipped it open, revealing a gorgeous, sparkling diamond set in a platinum band. It was breathtaking. Breathtaking. "Will you marry me, Hannah? Will you be my wife, and let me be your husband?"

Elation flooded her. This time, she felt no fear. Just joy, more joy than she had ever felt in her life. Love. Happiness. Hope for a future that was more than she could ever have imagined, even six short months ago. There was no doubt in her heart, not even the tiniest whisper. Her soul knew the answer, and so did her heart. "Yes," she whispered. "Yes, Maddox, of course, I'll marry you."

He let out a loud whoop, then leaned over and kissed her, a deep, beautiful, passionate kiss that she knew was the first of many, many to come. Ava shrieked with laughter and wrapped her arms around Hannah's neck, almost knocking Hannah off balance. But before either of them could fall, Maddox wrapped his arms around both of them, anchoring them together, being their strength, their comfort, and their joy.

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