Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch (The Ryan Family #1) by Carolyn Brown

“Me, too,” she said and wrapped her arms around his neck and tiptoed for another kiss. “And I love this feeling.”





Epilogue



Several weeks later.

“Good morning,” Anna Grace called out as she came in the back door of the bookstore. “Looks like it’s going to be another hot one.”

Cricket looked up from her desk. “How was the honeymoon?”

“It was amazing.” Anna Grace smiled. “Mama called this morning and offered to give me my old job back, and Daddy wants to buy us a house right here in Bloom as a wedding gift.”

“And?” Cricket’s heart fell to her shoes. She didn’t want Anna Grace to leave the store. If Bryce hadn’t moved in with her the previous week, she would have been super lonely at the farm. Jennie Sue and Rick didn’t pop in as often now that gardening season was over.

“I told both of them no,” Anna Grace said. “I like it here, and we’ve found an old farmhouse on an acre of ground about halfway between Sweetwater and Bloom that we will be signing a contract on this week. It’s a lease-to-own thing, so that all the rent money goes toward buying it in three years. It will be a great place to raise the six kids we want to have.”

Instant relief washed over Cricket. “Have you seen the Bloom Weekly News? I picked one up off the newsstand on the way in today.” She flipped the newspaper to the society page and pointed. “Who would have thought we’d get our pictures in the paper in the same week?”

“Well, would you look at that.” Anna Grace smiled and read the first few lines of the article out loud: “Anna Grace Cramer of Bloom married Thomas Arrington Bluestone of Sweetwater in a private ceremony on the beach at Padre Island. Bluestone’s brother, Harry, served as best man. Cricket Lawson served as her friend’s bridesmaid…

“I told Mama if she didn’t put it in the paper exactly as I wrote it that she would never see her six grandkids.” Anna Grace laughed. “Besides, by now Lettie and Nadine have already spread the news. Folks just read the paper to be sure those two haven’t lost their touch.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” Cricket smiled and flipped the paper around so she could read: “Cricket Lawson and Bryce Walton have announced their engagement. They plan a December wedding right here in Bloom. Bryce is the owner of the Bloom Drug Store, and Cricket is the proprietor of the Sweet Seconds Book Store in Bloom…”

“One marriage, one engagement. Hopefully, by Christmas next year, there will be two baby announcements,” Anna Grace said.

“One marriage, one engagement, and one very good friendship that started most of it.” Cricket held up her coffee.

Anna Grace took a bottle of sweet tea from her purse and clinked it against Cricket’s cup. “May the friendship last forever!”

“Amen.” Cricket nodded.





Discover Your Next Great Read

Get sneak peeks, book recommendations, and news about your favorite authors.

Tap here to learn more.





Read more about

Cricket and her family

in Small Town

Rumors.





About the Author




Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author and RITA finalist who has sold more than 8 million books. She presently writes both women’s fiction and cowboy romance. She has written historical and contemporary romance, both stand-alone titles and series. She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.





For a complete listing of her books (in series order) and to sign up for her newsletter, check out her website at CarolynBrownBooks.com or catch her on Facebook/CarolynBrownBooks.





High Praise for Carolyn Brown




“Carolyn Brown makes the sun shine brighter and the tea taste sweeter. Southern comfort in a book.”

—Shelia Roberts, USA Today bestselling author

“Carolyn Brown is one of my go-to authors when I want a feel-good story that will make me smile.”

—Fresh Fiction

“Carolyn Brown writes about everyday things that happen to all of us and she does it with panache, class, empathy and humor.”

—Night Owl Reviews

“Carolyn Brown always manages to write feel-good stories.”

—Harlequin Junkie

“Fans of romance series filled with small-town charm and a cast of supportive family and friends will appreciate this.”

—Publishers Weekly on Cowboy Rebel

“Lighthearted banter [and] heart-tugging emotion…make this a delightful romance.”

—Library Journal on Cowboy Bold

“There’s no one who creates a rancher with a heart of gold like Carolyn Brown.”

—RT Book Reviews





Also by Carolyn Brown





The Longhorn Canyon Series


Cowboy Bold

Cowboy Honor

Cowboy Brave

Cowboy Rebel

Christmas with a Cowboy

Cowboy Courage

Cowboy Strong

“A Perfect Christmas” story in Little Country Christmas