Page 102 of Deserving Ryleigh
Everyone cried out in glee, then they were in a huge group hug once more.
“Do you think we can get the party going again?” Henley asked with a smile. “I don’t know about you guys, but I think we need to relieve some of the tension still hanging over everyone. Maybe with some more dancing.”
“Yes!” everyone said, almost in unison.
When everyone had wandered away, Alaska hung back.
“I’m sorry my father ruined your wedding day,” Ry told her.
But the other woman shook her head. “Made it a little more memorable, maybe, but ruin it? Nothing would ruin the day Drake finally made me his, officially. I feel as if I’ve waited my entire life for this day, and nothing,no one, can ruin it.” She put her hand on Ry’s arm. “Seriously, thank you for saving all our lives.”
Ry felt herself blushing. “As I said before, I didn’t.”
“You can go on thinking that if you want, but everyone here knows differently. You’re a vital part of The Refuge, Ry. Don’t ever think otherwise. And it’s not because of your amazing computer skills. It’s because you’reyou. Your kindness, the way you’re always there when someone needs you. How down-to-earth and practical you can be. The Refuge needs you as much as you need it.”
“Thanks,” Ry murmured.
“You’re welcome.”
The music started, a little softer than it had been before everything happened, but Alaska beamed. “Come on! It’s the electric slide, we have to do it!”
“Are you kidding me? The electric slide?” Ry asked with a laugh.
“Yup. It’s mandatory, and it’s my wedding day, so you have to do what I want.”
“You’re going to go all bridezilla on menow?” she joked.
“Yes!” Alaska said, pulling her toward where the other women had lined up in the middle of the floor.
Ry let herself be led to the makeshift dance floor, but she caught Tiny’s gaze as she went. He lifted a brow at her, clearly wanting to make sure she was okay. Ry smiled at him, and she actually saw his muscles relax at seeing she was all right.
This might be a celebration of Alaska and Brick’s marriage, but Ry felt as if it was somehow her own party. A culmination of years of heartache and terror. Her reward for not having to run and hide anymore. Her father would never threaten her or the people she loved ever again. And while she couldn’t erase anything she’d been through, Ry was determined not to let her past rule her life. She wasresponsible for her future, and from what she could tell right now, surrounded by friends and so much love she could feel the air vibrating with it, she was going to have an amazing life. Here. At The Refuge. A place where broken people came to heal. To be themselves. To not be judged.
The Refuge was a miracle. It had brought Ry everything she’d ever wanted. She had no idea what the future might hold, but she had no doubt whatever it was, it would be chaotic, messy, and full of enough love for anyone who stepped foot on the property.
EPILOGUE
Tiny winced at the loud screaming coming from the large play area behind the owners’ cabins. One of Cora and Pipe’s newest foster kids was being chased by Rebecca, Maisy and Stone’s third child…who, at just five, thought she was in charge of everyone.
“What’s the princess screaming about now?” Stone asked as he joined Tiny.
The small, proud fatherly smile on his friend’s face made Tiny chuckle. “She’s a holy terror,” he said.
“Yup,” Stone agreed without hesitation.
“You guys seen Patrick?” Spike asked.
“He’s inside with Josiah and Samantha,” Pipe said from behind them.
Glancing over his shoulder, Tiny grinned when he saw Pipe—holdinghisdaughter. He immediately turned and held out his arms for his baby girl. “Thanks,” he said.
Pipe smiled, handing the freshly changed, sleepy baby over to her father.
Tiny stared down at Miracle. She was perfect. It hadtaken almost nine years for Ryleigh to get pregnant. And many tears and disappointments. She’d had three miscarriages, and the doctors hadn’t thought little Miracle would make it to full term either. And yet, here she was.
Elizabeth, Dylan, Matthew, and Max ran out of the building behind them, into the yard, adding to the chaos. Brick, Tonka, and Owl joined Tiny, Stone, Spike, and Pipe on the porch. They all watched over their children as the ladies had one of their weekly “women-only” breaks.
The last ten years had been full of good times and bad. There had been a lot of changes to The Refuge, changes Tiny could never have imagined when he and his friends had started this place so long ago.
