A Disguised Bride for the Sheriff – Extended Epilogue

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Four Years Later

“Lucas, slow down! You’ll run right into the cake table!” Ruby called, shielding her eyes from the afternoon sun as she watched her son dart across the yard.

The three-year-old let out a wild giggle, his small boots kicking up little clouds of dust as he zigzagged between the guests. His dark brown curls bounced with every step, and his little hands clutched a wooden toy horse—one of many gifts he’d already unwrapped.

Austin, standing with a group of men near the grill, chuckled as he turned the meat sizzling over the open fire. “That boy’s got more energy than a wild colt,” he remarked, shaking his head. He turned to Colt, who was nursing a cup of coffee. “Reckon I ought to put him to work on the ranch soon?”

Colt, now looking every bit the rancher with a wide-brimmed hat shading his eyes, smirked. “Give him a couple more years. Let him enjoy runnin’ wild while he still can. You’ll have him wrangling cattle before he even knows how to tie his own boots.”

Austin gave a good-natured laugh and turned his attention back to the barbecue pit, flipping a slab of beef with expert ease. The scent of smoked meat filled the air, mingling with the sweetness of fresh cornbread and biscuits that Alma had brought from the boarding house.

Ruby, meanwhile, sat under the shade of a large oak tree with Annette, bouncing one-year-old Susan on her lap. The little girl, with her father’s eyes and her mother’s button nose, was happily gnawing on a piece of cornbread, smearing crumbs all over her chubby cheeks.

“I still can’t believe how many orders we’re getting,” Annette said, adjusting the lace collar of her dress. “Do you know, we just got a request from a shop in St. Louis asking for a dozen gowns in the latest Paris styles?”

Ruby exhaled in amusement. “St. Louis! Who would have thought we’d be sending our dresses halfway across the country?” She shifted Susan in her lap, brushing a wisp of hair from the baby’s face. “Remember when we were just making simple dresses for the ladies of Boulder Ridge?”

Annette nodded with a reminiscent smile. “And now we’ve got orders from as far as California. I’d say we’ve done quite well for ourselves.”

Ruby leaned back against the tree trunk, her gaze sweeping across the yard. Children ran in circles, shrieking with laughter, while the adults chatted in small groups. Amy and Laura sat together near the fence, their little ones toddling around them. Even Alma was in attendance, delighting in telling the story—yet again—about how she had played matchmaker for Ruby and Austin.

Ruby turned back to Annette. “I was thinking—”

She barely got the words out before Austin sauntered up, his hands on his hips. “Oh no, I hear that tone. Business talk again?” He shook his head, feigning disappointment. “It’s Lucas’ birthday, not a meeting of the Boulder Ridge Dressmakers’ Society.”

Annette laughed. “Fine, fine. No more talk of fabric and stitching today.”

Austin grinned and leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to Ruby’s forehead. “Come on, sweetheart. It’s time to cut the cake before Lucas gets any ideas about doing it himself with a wooden spoon.”

Austin carried the large, round cake over to the wooden table set up in the center of the yard. It was decorated with thick, sugary white frosting and a few carefully placed berries. Ruby had baked it herself, insisting that no store-bought confection could match a homemade one, especially not for her son’s birthday.

Lucas, already bouncing on his toes, clapped his hands eagerly. “Mama! Cake now?”

“Yes, sweetheart,” Ruby laughed, setting Susan down onto a blanket spread out on the grass before stepping up to the table. “But only if you help me blow out the candles.”

Austin held Lucas up in his arms as Ruby struck a match and lit three small candles atop the cake. The boy’s eyes grew wide as the tiny flames flickered in the slight breeze.

“Make a wish, Lucas,” Amy encouraged from nearby, cradling her youngest child.

Lucas squinted hard, as though he was giving the wish serious thought. Then, with a deep breath, he blew out the candles in one exaggerated puff. Cheers and applause rang through the yard as Ruby clapped her hands together, laughing.

“What do you think he wished for?” Annette mused, handing Austin a knife to slice the cake.

“More cake,” Austin replied without hesitation, making everyone chuckle.

As Austin carefully cut slices and handed them out to eager hands, Ruby looked around the gathering, warmth spreading through her chest. It was a far cry from where she had been just a few years ago—running, hiding, constantly looking over her shoulder. Now, she was here, surrounded by family and friends, settled in a place she could truly call home.

As if sensing her thoughts, Austin nudged her gently. “You alright?”

She smiled at him, feeling nothing but love in her heart. “Never better.”

Colt strolled up beside them, his plate already stacked with food. “You two have done well for yourselves,” he remarked, surveying the lively scene. “This ranch is lookin’ better than ever.”

“It should be,” Austin said with pride, glancing at the sturdy barn and freshly painted house. “It took a lot of work, but we got it there.”

Ruby nodded, remembering the months of renovations, of fixing broken fences and patching up the old homestead. But the effort had been worth it. Their ranch was thriving, and now they had a place to raise their children—a place that truly belonged to them.

“Oh!” Ruby suddenly remembered something and turned to Austin. “I got another letter from Wyatt this week.”

Austin raised a brow. “Yeah? And?”

“He and his wife had a baby—a little girl. They named her Eleanor.”

Austin let out a low whistle. “Well, I’ll be. I guess the old scoundrel’s finally settlin’ down for good.”

Ruby chuckled. “I suppose he is. He said he’d like to bring his family out here for Lucas’ next birthday. Maybe even sooner.”

Austin nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Might be nice to see him again.”

“I think so too,” Ruby admitted.

As the conversation drifted into easy chatter, Ruby couldn’t help but marvel at how much had changed. Time had softened the sharp edges of the past, and while the memories of Ethan’s death and all that had happened would never fully fade, they no longer weighed her down.

“Alright, enough standin’ around,” Alma announced, suddenly appearing beside them with a determined look on her face. “It’s a celebration, and I ain’t too old for a good dance! Who’s gonna play me a tune?”

Laughter erupted from the crowd as someone fetched a fiddle and a few harmonicas. Soon, the lively strains of music filled the air, and Alma was twirling with one of the children, much to everyone’s delight.

Austin leaned down, murmuring against Ruby’s ear, “Dance with me?”

She grinned, taking his outstretched hand. “Always.”

As they swayed to the music, the sun dipping lower on the horizon, Ruby rested her head against Austin’s chest, completely at peace.

The lively tunes of the fiddle and harmonica wove through the warm evening air as laughter and conversation filled the ranch yard. Ruby twirled beneath Austin’s hand, her skirts swishing as they danced in the firelight.

“You’re gettin’ better at this,” Austin teased, catching her by the waist before spinning her again.

Ruby scoffed, playfully nudging him. “I was always good at dancing. You just never noticed because you were too busy pretending you didn’t enjoy it.”

Austin grinned, pulling her close. “I don’t pretend much around you anymore.”

Her heart warmed at that. It was true—Austin had always been a man who kept his emotions close, but with her, he had learned to open up. She leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes for just a moment, soaking in the warmth of his embrace and the comfort of the life they had built together.

Across the yard, Annette was laughing at something Colt had whispered in her ear. The former marshal had given up his badge for good and settled in Boulder Ridge, running one of the finest horse ranches in the region. He had never looked more at ease, his days of chasing outlaws behind him.

Benjamin, the town deputy for years, had accepted a position as sheriff in a neighboring town, leaving Boulder Ridge behind for new opportunities. His departure had been bittersweet, but he had left with a smile, promising to return for visits.

Amy was seated near the porch, cradling her newest baby while chatting with Laura, who was glowing with the happiness of her own growing family. Their children—along with Lucas—ran through the yard in a blur of giggles and tiny boots, chasing fireflies that flickered in the dusk.

Ruby exhaled a soft sigh. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy before.”

Austin kissed her temple, his arms tightening around her. “Me neither.”

Alma, watching from her rocking chair with a knowing smile, suddenly clapped her hands. “Austin, Ruby—now you two better give me credit when you tell your children how you met! If it weren’t for me and that boarding house, I don’t know where you’d be!”

Austin chuckled, nodding. “Don’t you worry, Alma. We’ll make sure our grandkids know, too.”

“Good!” Alma huffed, then leaned back, rocking gently. “Because it’s the best story in town.”

Ruby shook her head, laughing. “She’ll never let us forget it, will she?”

“Not a chance,” Austin said.

As the evening stretched on, the fire burned low, the children grew sleepy, and the guests began to trickle out, promising to see each other again soon. Annette and Colt lingered, walking slowly toward the barn as they spoke quietly to one another.

Ruby took Susan from Amy’s arms, cradling her against her chest. The little girl let out a sleepy yawn, her tiny fingers curling into Ruby’s dress.

Austin lifted Lucas onto his shoulders, the boy resting his cheek against his father’s head, eyes drooping from exhaustion. “We should get these two to bed.”

Ruby nodded, pressing a kiss to Susan’s dark curls. “Yes, let’s go home.”

Austin smirked. “Sweetheart, we are home.”

And Ruby knew he was right.

The house was quiet except for the soft crackling of the dying fire in the hearth. The children had long since been tucked into bed, their little bodies exhausted from a day of laughter, games, and cake.

Ruby sat curled up on the settee, Susan nestled against her chest, fast asleep. The baby’s warm, even breaths soothed Ruby’s heart, filling her with the kind of contentment she had once thought impossible.

Austin walked in from the kitchen, two cups of tea in hand. He set one down on the small table beside her and sat down with a sigh, stretching his legs out in front of him.

“Lucas didn’t even make it to the bed,” Austin chuckled. “He was out cold the second I laid him down.”

Ruby smiled, shifting Susan gently so she could lay her in the crib beside the settee. “I don’t blame him. It was a big day.”

Austin watched her, his gaze soft in the dim candlelight. “You looked happy today,” he murmured.

She turned to him, tilting her head. “That’s because I am.”

He reached for her hand, threading their fingers together. “Me too.”

For a long moment, they sat in silence, listening to the quiet hum of the night outside. The windows were open just a crack, letting in the cool breeze and the distant sound of crickets.

Ruby leaned against Austin’s shoulder, exhaling deeply. “I was thinking today about how much has changed in four years. It feels like a lifetime ago that I was running, always looking over my shoulder. I used to think I’d never feel safe again.”

Austin pressed a kiss against her hair. “You are safe. And you always will be.”

She closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his words settle deep in her soul. “I know. It just amazes me how life turns out. I never thought I’d have this—a home, a family, a place where I truly belong.”

Austin tipped her chin up with his fingers, his gaze searching hers. “You deserve all of it, Ruby. Every bit of happiness.”

She smiled, brushing a strand of hair from his face. “So do you.”

He grinned. “I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted, right here.”

A comfortable silence stretched between them, filled only with the quiet night sounds.

After a moment, Ruby sighed playfully. “You know, Alma is never going to let us forget that she takes credit for us being together.”

Austin chuckled. “She earned it, I suppose. We should name our next kid after her.”

Ruby gasped in mock horror. “Absolutely not!”

He laughed, pulling her into his arms. “Alright, alright. But if we do, at least she’d never let the kid forget where their name came from.”

Ruby giggled, resting her forehead against his. “You’re impossible.”

“And you love me for it,” he murmured.

She kissed him, slow and deep, feeling the warmth of his love wrap around her like a blanket. “That I do, Austin Harding. That I do.”

The night stretched on, peaceful and perfect, as the world outside slumbered. In the home they had built, in the life they had chosen, Ruby and Austin sat together, knowing that whatever came next, they would face it hand in hand.

Together. Always.

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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 5 FREEBIES FOR YOU!

Grab my new series, "Brave Hearts of the Frontier", and get 5 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

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