Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5)(96)

My throat tightened, emotion clogging it as Shiloh unhooked the lead rope. Onyx didn’t move at first, simply stayed close. Shiloh gave her a pat on the neck. “Just one step.”

The mare seemed to hear her. She lifted her front hoof, then her back. Soon, she was walking, slowly approaching the group of horses waiting for her. Pep lifted his head and let out a whinny. Onyx picked up to a trot at his call, jogging towards them. They sniffed and nosed each other in greeting before they all settled in to munch on the lush grass.

I moved in behind Shiloh, wrapping my arms around her. “You did that. You gave her a miracle.”

“We did it. You and me. I think I could do anything when I know you’re with me.”

The burn was back. The one I relished because it was from Shiloh. “How would you feel about another miracle?”

She twisted in my arms so she could take in my face. “What did you have in mind?”

“I talked to your brother about what it would entail to become a foster parent.”

Shiloh’s hands fisted in my shirt. “Aidan and Elliott?”

I nodded. “I want to give them the home they deserve. I want to give them the family they deserve. You want to do that with me?”

Tears glistened in those pale blue eyes. “I can’t imagine a better miracle than building a home with you and those boys.”

“It’s a bigger everything.”

Shiloh smiled up at me. “I think we’re up for the challenge.”

“Love you, Shiloh.”

She nuzzled into me, breathing deeply. “You’re my sky.”

I stilled. “Your sky?”

“My pinpricks of hope on the darkest nights. You are that in living form for me. You always will be. And I think we can be that for the boys, too.”

The burn had caught fire, lighting everything inside me aflame. I welcomed it all. “Just when I think I can’t love you more.”

Shiloh grinned up at me. “I like to keep you on your toes.”

My lips met hers in a long, slow kiss. One that told her I’d never tire of that until the day they put me six feet under.





EPILOGUE




SHILOH





TWO MONTHS LATER

“I look ridiculous,” I muttered as Hadley released my hair from the curling iron.

She sent me a look through the mirror. “Just trust my vision, would you?”

I stuck out my tongue at her, and she laughed.

Addie groaned, leaning back in her chair. “Just take comfort in the fact that you couldn’t possibly look as ridiculous as me. I just had to get knocked up before Ev’s wedding.”

Laiken snapped a photo of the three of us as her hand went to her own slightly rounded bump. “You all look beautiful.”

Addie glared at her and pointed. “You keep that lens pointed away from me today.”

Laiken pressed her lips into a firm line to keep from laughing, but it only worked for so long before a giggle escaped. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look that stern.”

Addie rubbed her swollen belly. “That’s because I mean business.”

“Don’t listen to her, Laiken. I want lots of photos of my glowing cousin. And she can’t even yell at me for it because I’m the bride,” Ev said, brushing invisible wrinkles out of her dress.

I would never have thought that Everly would go over-the-top whimsical for her wedding, but she had, and it worked somehow. Lanterns hung from the trees outside and lined a makeshift aisle through the garden she and Hayes had made for themselves. The entire event was drowning in flowers of every type and pastels of every shade. But Everly herself was the most amazing vision I’d ever seen.

I swore she would float down the aisle. She’d asked my father to escort her. While she’d thanked Ian for what he’d done for me, and there was more peace there, the two would never truly be brother and sister. She could forgive him for the past, but she’d never forget. The best she could do was move on into her new life, and my dad was only too happy to help lead her there. We’d all given him more than a little ribbing when he’d dissolved into tears at her asking. The two shared a special bond, and it warmed all our hearts to see.

Addie opened her mouth to argue with Ev and then snapped it closed. “She’s right, dang her. I can’t say anything.”

Everly burst into laughter and squeezed her cousin’s shoulders. “You’ll be happy to have these photos one day.”

Addie laid her hands on top of Everly’s. “What I am is over the moon for you. I can’t think of anyone who deserves a world of happiness more.”

Everly sniffed as she looked around at the women in the room. “We all deserve it.”

Hadley made a tsking noise. “Don’t start crying. If you ruin my makeup job, I’m going to be pissed.”

Everly fanned her face. “No tears. Raccoon eyes just aren’t appropriate for saying ‘I do.’”

I snorted and ran my fingers through my hair, loosening the curls. I stood and nearly tripped over my dress. “Everly Easton, if I trip and fall on my face, I will never forgive you.”

Ev snorted, and then her eyes filled again. “Everly Easton. It’s my first time hearing it out loud.”