“So, tell me everything!” And then Corinne scrunched up her face. “Except the mushy details. I don’t want to hear any of those. Not about my brother. But are you in L-O-V-E?”
“Don’t even spell it out!” Stella covered Corinne’s mouth with her hand, peeking over toward the door. “I don’t know. He doesn’t know. It’s too early.”
But this was good. This just felt so damn good. Tears blurred Stella’s vision. “I’m gonna miss you so much!”
“Don’t start!” Corinne blinked her own tears away. “I swear I’ll kill you if you start me up again.”
“I know. I know. I’m sorry.” But she couldn’t’ help hugging her friend. “Now get that damn gown off so we can get you out of here.”
EPILOGUE
Peyton watched Stellaand Misty as they laid out the blanket and then sorted through the leather pack.
They’d been through so much since the last time they’d ridden up here. Corinne had held on until just after Christmas, just long enough to see the ring he’d bought for Stella. She’d taken full credit for their engagement. Rightly so.
How had his sister known he’d fall in love with this woman? How could she know how easily Stella would invade his heart? Even now, married six months, he marveled at his luck when he introduced her to someone as his wife.
Stella had stayed at the ranch through it all, not once complaining. When the nurse who visited regularly wasn’t around, Stella helped Corinne with everything, eating, bathing. She’d sat with Peyton when he’d administered the last doses of morphine in the end.
She’d also taken Misty under her wing. Comforting her when she cried, encouraging her to play when she’d needed to be a child… Stella had been the silver lining in this tragic storm.
Most of all, she’d been there for him.
And now, here they were, exactly one year to the day, to mark Corinne’s last ride.
Misty lay down on the blanket, looking at the sky. “Do you think Mama sees us up here?” Such an innocent question.
“Always.” Stella answered before turning to catch his eye.
“Mama was pretty smart, wasn’t she?” At that, Peyton sat down to join them.
“What makes you say that?” He ruffled Misty’s head, enjoying Stella’s warmth as she leaned into him.
“’Cause she found Stella for you.”
And with those little words of wisdom a breeze blew through the air and swirled around them. Stella tucked her head beneath his chin and squeezed him tightly.
“That’s what friends do, Misty. That’s what friends do.”
—The End—
