The Cowboy Way

Epilogue (aka The Happily Ever After)

Epilogue (aka The Happily Ever After)

-Tris POV-

After our talk at the barn, Tobias and I walk back up to the ranch house hand in hand. Walking into the kitchen still holding hands, everyone glances up at us. My grandma and mom smile when they see our hands while Caleb cocks an eyebrow at us and my dad frowns slightly.

Tobias and I each grab a cup of coffee then lean against the counter looking at everyone. My mom breaks the quiet, "Your dad and I are heading back home tomorrow." She then smirks a little before asking me, "Any idea when you are leaving, Tris?"

I see Tobias stiffen a little before I answer, "Well Four and I were just talking about that. I plan on staying. Grandma had told me that I could. I think it would be good to stay and help out."

My dad isn't happy with this and instantly responds, "What are you going to do about your education? About a job? It's not like you can have a life here!"

Now a little pissed off, I set my coffee cup down. Looking my dad straight in the eye, I explain, "I already have a job. Full-time at the local doctor's office. His nurse retired and he offered me the position." I then pause. Taking a deep breath, I continue, "As for a life, everything I need is here." I turn to Tobias and grab his hand. "Dad, you've met Four, but you didn't know that he is my boyfriend. My best friend."

My dad jumps to his feet at the same time that I feel Tobias squeeze my hand. We are looking at each other when my dad starts his rant. "Your boyfriend? You are just going to stay here and waste your life? Staying with this-"

I've had enough. Cutting my father off, I firmly tell him, "You will do well not to finish that sentence. You don't know him. I wonder if you even know me. But, know this. If I stay or if I leave, it will be MY decision, not yours or anyone else's." I continue to just stand face to face with my dad for a moment before I turn and walk over to my grandma. I give her a hug and tell her, "I'm going to help Four feed and then stay at his place tonight." I glance at my mom then continue, "I'll be back tomorrow before you leave."

I turn to leave and then remember one more item. "Caleb, you are welcome to the bed in the apartment tonight. No reason to sleep on a couch." He smiles at me before nodding in response. Tobias hugs my grandma before we both walk out.

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The next day went better. I think everyone ganged up on my dad. I was very surprised when he apologized both to me and to Tobias. I remembered to call Frank and accept his job offer. But the real surprise came from my grandma. When I explained to her that I was going to move in with Tobias, she stated that she wanted to move into the apartment. She had thought about it all week and was trying to figure out a way to tell me that she didn't want to live in the house any more. The ranch house held too many memories of Jack. She then convinced me to move into the ranch house. Or I guess convinced us to move into the ranch house. I was still adamant that I didn't want to split my time at different places to sleep, so wherever I was, I wanted Tobias to be.

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The 4th of July Rodeo the next year was a huge success. We showed two reining horses and sold one of them that day. However, the best part of the rodeo was what happened after I won the barrel race. Tobias met me as I pulled Moose to a stop. He drug me out of the saddle, kissed me, and then fell to one knee and proposed. Needless to say, the stands roared when I said yes.

We had a small wedding in mid-September. It was just my family, Frank and his wife, Shauna, Zeke, and Hana.

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