Summer on Kendall Farm(80)

“I can’t stay here alone.”

“This is your home,” Jace said. “It’s where you belong. Where we all belong. You took this place and gave it life. It’s what I wanted it to be. I wanted it full of love when I was a boy. And that’s what I want for Ari. For us. You’ve done that for us all. Don’t give up. Say no.”

“I thought you didn’t want to stay here. You and Ari were going to find—”

“I thought about it and realized anywhere is good if you’re with me, but nowhere will be perfect without you.”

Kelly’s heart pounded in her chest. “I love you, Kelly Ashton. I want you to be my wife.” He took another step closer to her and went down on one knee. “Will you marry me? Will you take me and my son and will you allow the three of us to make this a real home?”

Kelly stared at Jace. Everything she wanted in the world lay at her feet. She dropped the phone and fell into Jace’s arms.

“Yes,” she said, tears falling freely. “I love you, too. Yes. Yes. Yes,” she cried. “I’ll marry you.”

Jace pulled her out of the chair and onto his knee. He kissed her, a long, slow tender kiss that she’d never forget. There was no stopping this time. And Kelly didn’t push him away. She didn’t tell him not to confuse her. She wanted to be confused. She wanted to be everything to him.

She was happier than anyone. This was her future. Jace was her prince. And they would build together. They would make the Kendall the showplace it was always intended to be. But more than that, they would make it a home. And they would do it with love.





EPILOGUE

Three Years Later

JACE STOOD ON the track. He held the bridle of the horse. Ari sat in the saddle. The boy had grown into a tall, gangly seven-year-old. He took to a horse as if the two of them spoke the same language. This was to be Ari’s inaugural ride, his solo.

Kelly sat in the stands watching. She’d done what she set out to do. She’d gotten the race track and stadium built. She’d been through countless council meetings, building inspections, gaming license reviews, water and sewer testing, new road construction and a thousand more things. Yet she got all the permits, all the approvals, and finally the track had become a reality. It was scheduled to open tomorrow.

Oh, and she’d had their two babies.

She’d even helped to mend things between him and his brother. After Sheldon got his electrician’s license, she’d hired the firm he worked for, transporting them to the Kendall, to do the wiring on the track. With the income derived from the marketing programs she had in place, and a substantial investment from the bank, they’d spared no expense on the setup.

The stables were full of horses that practiced daily on the new track and were ready to race. The vendors had brought in inventory and stocked their shelves. Ticket sellers had been hired. Television commercials had been running on cable for over a month. Everything was in place.

Jace glanced at his wife. She was a marvel. He couldn’t believe his luck. Beside Kelly were Drew and Mira. Jace regarded them as his cousins, too. He no longer distinguished between bloodlines. He knew there was more to family than that. Mira held her and Drew’s two-year-old son.

Sheldon, Audrey and Christian still lived in North Carolina, but they’d be arriving in time for the opening of the racetrack.

Jace’s two new additions smiled at him as they kicked the seats in front of them. His daughter, Meghan, was two. His one-year-old son, Jason, couldn’t quite reach the seat, but he tried, emulating his sister. They were all there to see Ari make his first trip around the track.

Jace was slightly apprehensive. Ari was still young, though an excellent horseman. The track was a mile around and Jace would be holding his breath for every second of Ari’s ride. From the look on Kelly’s face, she would be, too.

“Remember, Ari, this is not a race. Take it easy,” he warned.

“I know, dad,” Ari said. His tone told Jace he’d heard that same message enough times.

“Okay, just be careful.” Jace stepped back. “He’s all yours.”

Ari kicked his feet and the horse began to walk. Leaning down, Ari’s expression said he was serious about controlling the powerful animal. Jace watched until Ari completed the entire mile track. Ari came back at a gallop, passing his father and all those in the stands. Jace had spotted a huge grin on his face as horse and rider sped by.

Ari reined the horse in, bringing him to a slow trot and then walking him back to Jace. Everyone cheered. Ari smiled. Drew snapped a photo to capture the moment.

“Did you see me, Dad?” Ari asked, excited and out of breath. “Did you see me?”