Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“There’s another one, Mommy!” Thomas says as he points at a big bullfrog who’s looking at us wearily as we approach. “And another one!”
I carefully scoop my paddle under the biggest frog as Thomas watches in amazement. The frog sits on my paddle and I bring it closer to my boy.
“Can I touch it?”
“Sure!”
He reaches a tentative finger out and touches the frog’s back. The frog is all ‘fuck this’ and leaps off the paddle and lands in the lake with a tiny splash.
Thomas bursts out laughing and the adorable look on his face makes my heart squeeze so tight I feel like it’s going to burst.
He’s my last baby and I’m trying to cherish every moment of it. It really does go by so fast.
I look at Dylan’s big strong back in the distance and remember our first days together. It still feels like yesterday even though it was over twelve years ago.
I knew he was something special when I first saw him, but I didn’t know he would change my life so radically.
One week with him and I was moving across the country, starting a new life, and marrying the man of my dreams. I haven’t looked back since.
He looks over his shoulder at me—he’s always doing that—and I smile. He smiles back.
Something passes between us in that look.
It’s a look full of love, commitment, gratitude, and knowing we’re exactly where we want to be…
On a stunning lake in the spectacular mountains with our loving family all around us.
It doesn’t get better than this.
Epilogue
Dylan
Forty years later…
This year, I turned eighty-four and my beautiful wife turned seventy-four.
She’s still as sexy as ever.
Just a look from her can get this old man going.
“What are you thinking?” she asks with a knowing grin as we sit on the back porch, watching the sunset.
I grin at her. “You know what I’m thinking.”
She laughs as she shakes her head and turns back to the view. “I thought by your eighties you would have given that up.”
“What sex?”
She laughs.
“Ash, I’m going to be a hundred and still wanting you like it was our wedding day. You’re never going to get rid of me.”
I love that I can still make her cheeks blush.
“I’ll have a broken hip and a bad heart and I’ll still be chasing you around the house.”
She laughs as she takes a sip of wine. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
I reach out and she takes my hand.
We hold each other as we watch the spectacular sun setting over the mountains. I don’t know how many of these I have left, but I’m going to cherish every single one that I get to spend with my girl.
We’ve had an amazing life. Absolutely perfect.
I was so lost until she found me. I don’t know where I’d be without her. Hell, I don’t want to know. I don’t even want to think about life without this beauty by my side.
We had five amazing children together and this fall, our thirteenth grandkid is going to pop out.
It’s a legacy we’re both proud of. One that I’m thankful for every day.
We’ve been together for more than half a century and I’ve never taken one moment for granted. I know how special my Ashley is to me and I won’t ever forget it.
I can still remember in perfect detail the way she looked on our first night together. That black dress… Those shy blushing cheeks… The excitement in her blue eyes.
There are a few more gray hairs and wrinkles since then, but she’s still every bit as beautiful.
“Know what’s more fun than sunsets?” I ask with a grin.
She blushes as she pulls the blanket a little further up her lap.
“Let me guess. Does it involve the bedroom?”
I grin. “You read my mind.”
“Alright,” she says as she downs the rest of her wine. “Take me, Mr. Mountain Man. Let’s pretend it’s our first night together.”
I grin as I stand up and slide my arms under her. She squeals in delight as I pick her up.
I may be old and wrinkly, but these muscles still work and I can still carry my girl.
We kiss as the last of the sun disappears behind the mountains and then I carry her inside to rock her world once more.
The End!