Page 175 of Stay Wild Darlin’

He pulled back, his thumb brushing the tear from my cheek, and in the quiet between heartbeats, he gave me the kind of words that live long after they’re spoken.

“Stay wild, darlin’, because it was your wild heart that led us here.”

60

Epilogue

POPPY

“She’s absolute perfection,” I whispered, smiling down at the tiny baby sleeping peacefully in my best friend’s arms.

Sadie Rae Banks had entered the world a week ago, and somehow, in those seven days, Beau and Fable had already become the kind of parents every child deserved.

“You guys didn’t have to throw me a little shower.”

“We absolutely did,” Harleigh said, sliding over a few plates of cake. “You’re not getting out of being celebrated.”

It was the three of us. Maribel promised to stop by later with snacks and gifts, but we wanted to welcome Fable home from the hospital and celebrate her. She deserved it.

“Can we sit down and gossip? I miss that so much,” she sighed, settling onto the couch and wrapping the sweetest little nugget in a pink blanket.

“Please.” I took the seat beside her, my fingers still curled around the straps of my purse behind me.

Harleigh walked in from the kitchen, setting a fork on the coffee table in front of me. “So, how’s the new house? Any luck on the job front?”

“I decided to stay home one more year before going back to work. With Dalton’s fall schedule, it made sense. I’ve realized how much I enjoy being out on the ranch, and we’re getting a Highland cow as our first animal.”

“No way,” she laughed, sitting down across from us. “Dalton went for the fuzzy cows?”

“That, and he’s planning to start building his broncs,” I added with a small shrug.

“I still can’t believe he wants to breed broncos instead of bulls.”

Honestly? Neither could I when he first told me. Between Beau and Kline being so close, and the itch Dalton had to try something new, it made sense. Horses were our next chapter.

“It’s definitely a shift, but it’s our project. He still wants to chase another gold buckle this season. In the meantime, we’re going to try it out and see how it goes.” I tightened my grip on the strap of my purse and cleared my throat. “There’s something I wanted to tell you guys.”

Well . . . two things, technically, but I figured I’d start with the easier one first.

“Ooh, spill.” Fable rocked gently in her seat, curiosity written all over her face.

I reached into my bag, pulled out a folded piece of paper, and laid it carefully on the table in front of us.

Harleigh leaned forward, snatched it up without hesitation, and began reading aloud.

“Finalized adoption of Cora Rose Culpepper—Poppy Sinclair Stone listed as legal parent.”

Fable let out a quiet gasp. “Wait, is this what I think it is?”

“It’s official. I’m her mom.”

Fable covered her mouth with her hand, eyes glassy. “Oh, Poppy . . .”

Harleigh reached across the table, her fingers curling around mine. “She’s always been yours. Now the whole world knows it too.”

I blinked back tears as warmth swelled in my chest because they were right. I’d been loving her like a mother for so long, and there were no loopholes or what-ifs left.

“How do you feel about it?” Fable asked gently.