“Are you sure you won’t change your mind?” Diana asked, nearly on the verge of pleading. “Think about it, expense accounts, traveling the world, make your own hours… you’ve got to admit, it’s tempting, right?”

“Of course it’s tempting,” Meredith answered, “but I think I am going another direction right now.” She leaned back on the chaise—the same one where she’d spent that first night with Colt, she remembered with a sly smile—and sipped reluctantly at what had to be her hundredth glass of water of the day.

“Just promise you’ll think about it. I know, with the baby and all, you want to take it slow at first. But you might get bored and want to come back to the city life. I’ll be here, ready for that day.”

Meredith could only laugh. Her phone had started ringing off the hook with job offers the week the issue with her cover story came out, but in the months since then, she’d gotten better at deftly turning down different news outlets.

She had always wanted to get so far away from the slow country life, wanting to make her own way in the world. It never seemed that you could have it both ways. Now she could see her warm summer nights on the deck, horseback rides to the orchard, sharing this ranch’s legacy with their upcoming family. All of that, and the start of her very own country life magazine.

The past months of her life had been a whirlwind of chaotic, loving excitement. She and Colt had married in a simple ceremony on the ranch with their family around, nothing too extravagant but just perfect for both their tastes.

Of all the things Colt had ever said to his mother to plead with her to come back to the ranch, the only thing it had taken was, “Mom, we’re pregnant!”

His mother had come down there the next day after Colt sent the helicopter, just as he’d said he would. She’d moved into her own apartment that he’d built just for her, and was always ready to lend a hand.

Between Colt’s mother and hers, their son had enough clothes to outfit an entire nursery of babies. It both pleased her and frightened her that they’d snuck in a few pink frilly items, “for the next baby,” when they were busy sewing and smocking together and catching up on old times.

Meredith set the phone back on the table beside her chair and peered over into the bassinet next to her. Wynn Colton Stone, named after both his grandfathers, was swaddled in a light blanket, a peaceful half smile on his tiny face. Meredith was thinking for the millionth time how perfect her life had turned out when she heard the house door open and Colt stepped out. He bounded down the steps as softly as he could, sitting down on the end of the chaise and pulling her feet into his lap before beaming at his son.

“I still just can’t get over it. I made that!” he whispered with a shocked tone, pointing to our son.

“We did that,” she corrected jokingly, “but technically, I feel like I did all the hard parts. How’s the project coming along, all done yet?”

“Yup! And the newspaper’s sending some fancy reporter out here to do a story on it tomorrow. But don’t worry, I’m sure they won’t be half as pretty as the last reporter who came around nosing into my business.” Colt grinned and leaned towards her for a kiss. “We’ll drive out after supper and get you a good look at it, if you want. The power company is coming out tomorrow, too, they want to do a big shindig about it and a ribbon cutting and all that.”

He rolled his eyes, ever wanting to be out of the spotlight.

He grinned down at her and reached into his pocket. “I’ve brought you a little surprise.”

“Really? I think you are spoiling me just a mite too much,” She pinched his elbow playfully, with a Texan drawl.

“You got me my own rings? Honey, you shouldn’t have!” she teased, pointing to the familiar box.

“I knew you couldn’t wear your rings towards the end there,” he said, opening the box and holding out her wedding set, “so it was a good time to do something I’d been thinking about for a while.”

“What’s that?” Meredith asked, reaching to pluck the diamond and platinum rings from the box.

“Look.” Colt point inside the band to the fresh engraving. MFBS. She looked up at him, frowning slightly at the letters. “Meredith Forbes Banks Stone.”

“Banks? But that wasn’t real! That’s not who I was, it was just something I made up for work!”

“That’s true, but I don’t want you to ever forget when you were a fancy big-city, world-traveling photographer. I may have tricked you out here with me, but don’t you think you are any less of that amazing successful woman you were in Chicago. I just know your own magazine is going to do amazing.”

She put her newly engraved rings back on her finger. It was a bit of a tight squeeze but doable. It wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. Together Colt and Meredith would find that balance between family life and exploring their own dreams.

Nothing brought that more home for Meredith the that new little dream they shared together dozing in his basket.

She leaned back and closed her eyes. Colt took her hand and kissed her softly on her palm.

“I think little Wynn and I would like to go to that fancy ribbon cutting of yours,” she said keeping her eyes closed.

“Yeah?” he asked distractedly while he nibbled on her fingers.

“Mmhmm,” she said with a little giggle.

He was now making his way up his arm and she had a feeling this patio set was about to see some more action.

“Sadly, my car is still busted down,” she responded peaking an accusing eye at him. Shutting them again she said, “I s’pose we’ll have to hitch a ride there.”

“I might know a cowboy who can help you with that,” he said, just before sealing a kiss on her lips.