Rex and Flora sat on the steps to the main house, behind them on the porch Jake and Ruby sat in wooden rocking chairs and Roy leaned against the porch railing.

"The insurance will cover the cost of a new barn, thank God nobody was hurt." Jake said.

"It might take a few months to rebuild," Rex pointed out.

Flora leaned her head against his shoulder wrapping both arms around his, his hand fell to rest one her knee.

"Mike down the road offered his barn to keep the cattle for a while,"Roy chimed in.

Flora sighed staring at where the barn once stood, now a smoldering pile of ashes.

"So, we are keeping her?" Ruby asked finally.

Rex chuckled and kissed the top of Floras head.

"I think so," he teased.

"And the pitter patter of little feet?" She pressed barely containing her excitement.

"As soon as possible," Rex replied.

"Hell, just what we need more of you." Jake said, but there was affection in his tone.

"Just how many little Rexs can we expect to be running around?" Roy asked.

"As many as she will give me." Rex replied squeezing her knee.

"Two? Maybe three." Flora said looking up at him.

"Three." Rex said firmly.

She smiled leaning her head on him again.

"To start," Rex added.

"The police are out looking for who lit the barn, I gave them the directions. They cant hide for long." Jake promised.

Ruby reached out placing a hand ontop of his and he gave it an affectionate squeeze.

"Roy, you need to find yourself a girlfriend." Rex teased.

Roy shifted his weight seemingly uncomfortable.

"Nah."

"Come on, I never see you even go out." Rex pushed.

"I kind of got someone...up in yellow canyon. I go see on my weekends off...so..."

"What? For how long?" Rex asked.

"Oh a few years."

"Bring her here!"Flora said excitedly.

"Well..." Roy rubbed the back of his neck.

"Roy," Jake spoke firmly.

"Sir?"

"Chet is always welcome on this ranch. To hell with anyone who says otherwise." Jake said.

Roy flushed and it was then Rex realized why Roy had kept his significant other a secret.

"We would love to meet him," Ruby chimed in.

"Hell yeah, we can put him to work,"Rex tossed in.

"I...I will invite him," Roy said with a small smile.

The five of them sat in silence a little longer before Jake cleared his throat.

"Rex, can I talk to you?" He asked softly.

Flora instantly stood to leave but Jake held up a hand to stop her.

"You can stay sweetheart."

She sat down as he passed the pair on the steps stopping infront of them he reached into his back pocket.

"When Samantha and I got married...we had nothing but a baby in the oven....I bought this ground and killed myself in the mines to pay for it. Then together we built it into what it is. A self efficient ranch."

"That being said...Samantha...she was a kind woman, she would have loved knowing grand babies would be playing in the house she designed..."

He looked up at the house behind them and then wiped his eyes.

"So...I want you two...to have it."

He extended his hand and in it a single silver key.

"Sir, no. We are happy where we are."

Rex stood walking towards Jake.

"I know you are believe me. As long as I had Sam and our baby I didnt care where I lived but thats not how I want you to start. I am ready to be done with it all. The ranch, the cattle, the house, the land...its yours, son."

Rex pushed Jake's hand away to embrace him in a tight hug and Flora launched against him as well enveloping him in her arms.

When the pair pulled away Jake again extended the key and Flora took it.

"You will stay right?" Rex asked.

"As long as I am welcome, I was thinking I would take up your current home. I dont need such a large space."

"I hate you being there alone," Flora said gently.

"Well, I wont be." He reached out his hand and Ruby hurried to take it, lifting her other hand to show the ring he had put there that morning.

"We will be just fine, and I will be here everyday to see you and those babies." She promised.

Jake pulled her to his side kissing the top of her head.

"Sir, this is...too much...I..."

"You are my son Rex, those will be my grand babies. I want them to have a good start. I want children in that house again."

Rex gave a small nod, swallowing hard past the lump in his throat.

"We are a family. No matter how odd." Ruby added.

"Its the best family, I could have asked for," Flora added softly wiping her own tears away.

Roy walked down the stairs towards join the four of them, his cell phone in one hand.

"I just got a call...they got the so called arsonist. Theyre in custody, we have to go down tomorrow and give some statements."

"Its over?" Flora asked hopefully.

"You're father took a plea deal, said he had nothing to so with the arson and handed over the other two."

Flora closed her eyes Relief washing over her as Rex pulled her closer.

Safe, home, finally.

Author Note: I was logged out and could not get back into my account. I am back will be writing again and there is ONE more chapter to this book.