Zane Five Years Later Ruby’s not in a mood for listening, and she’s as stubborn as her mama. She wants to be smack-dab in the middle of the barrel racing competition even though I’ve explained to her she needs to be patient and wait until she gets older. But the tempestuous little raven-haired beauty won’t listen, even after I promise her a funnel cake before the bullriding starts. Her bottom lip’s sticking out now, and it’s hard to be angry at her because she’s Rebecca’s doppelgänger. The result? I spoil her too much, something that my wife points out on the regular. But honestly, all my girls have me wrapped…

Cricket Four Months Later My heart beats out of my chest as I watch Christian walk up the long driveway to our cabin. He’s tanned and tall and absolutely breathtaking in his crisp sheriff’s uniform and white Stetson. Although I now wear his ring on my finger, I still pinch myself daily that this cowboy is mine. I know he feels the same way about me because he tells me all the time. It’s hard to think back on all the wasted years between us. I know this is something that could eat away at both of us if we let it. But I have to remind myself that every…

Jess TWO YEARS LATER The room is dark, and Logan’s at my side, peering into the screen. “How the heck do you know what you’re looking at?” Polly, the radiology tech laughs, “Experience. Lots of experience.” Hollister is small, and Logan went to school with her. I can tell she’s impressed to see him so domestic. And I can’t blame her, having heard the local rumor mill about him. But Logan couldn’t be a more devoted husband.  I ignore the weird feeling of cold goo on my stomach and narrow my eyes, looking at our baby. I can hear his heartbeat, and it’s the most wonderful sound … since the…

Alex SEVEN MONTHS LATER The next few months after Maksim’s proposal fly by. There’s our wedding, more performances, and plenty of time spent training and working with the huskies. Sierra Husky Rescue holds its most successful annual benefit ever (with live classical music, of course!), which means we can hire on an additional full-time employee, freeing up time for more travel.  A couple of seams opened up on my cello after the blizzard, causing a nasty rattle, especially on the G and C strings. It had to go to the luthier for repairs while I borrowed another instrument. But thankfully, it’s back to sounding as gorgeous as ever. Maybe even…