Page 143 of Knight Life In Vegas

“Don’t remind me that all my babies are growing up.”

“We’re going to have a houseful for a long time yet.” He held me close to his side and kissed my temple.

One by one my pack withdrew from the crowds and settled with us. Of course once the children noticed, they needed to be part of our congregation, too. Emilia yelled for Sam until he collected her to come sit with us, the others sprinting after them.

“Aren’t you all getting ready for a trail ride?” I asked.

“We have time,” replied Chico. “Just soaking in the moment.”

“Do you think Abuelita would make me another cake?” Sam asked Eduardo. “I don’t know what she did to this one but it’s my new favorite.”

“I’m sure she’d make you a hundred cakes if you asked.” Eduardo smiled at him.

“Cool.”

Marcelo wriggled onto Chico’s lap. “Horsies?”

“Do you wanna ride with Daddy?”

Marcelo nodded.

One at a time my pack collected each of the triplets, and they departed to climb onto the horses. I trailed slowly after them and stopped in front of Eclipse, who had come to stay with us only a couple of months ago.

“Hello there, sweet boy. Ready to go for a ride?”

He softly nuzzled my cheek.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

I used the fence to boost myself and get on his back, settling peacefully. I swerved him over to the play area. “I’ve got room for one if any of you want to join me.”

Lucy perked up. “Me, please!”

Beau lifted her for me and settled her in front of me on the saddle. He’d gotten much calmer around horses, but we still hadn’t managed to get him on the back of one.

“We’ve got a pony saddled for Mia if you want to walk next to her.”

“I can manage that.”

Bryce came with us, walking on Mia’s other side.

Our family had grown exponentially: more children, more parents, grandparents, loved ones of all sorts who now saturated every aspect of life.

I wished my own parents could see how happy I was. Sometimes I felt them in the way the wind twined around my hair, and I liked it to think they knew I’d finally found my place in this world with a pack who loved me and all the children I had always hoped for.

Chico fell into place next to me, Marcelo on his lap. “Life good, duchess?”

“Yes.” I sighed and breathed in the scent of sun-baked desert cedar, feeling the warmth of home. “Life’s perfect.”