Pamela eased into the porch rocker, its familiar creak offering a lullaby for her newborn son, Kaden. She inhaled deeply, savoring the warmth of the ceramic mug against her palm and the spiced aroma of apple cider mingling with the crisp October air. A gust fluttered through the maples lining Willow Creek Drive, sending a confetti of amber and crimson leaves pirouetting past. As dusk settled over the quiet Baltimore suburb of Cedarville, porch lights winked on in sequence, like a constellation emerging at twilight. Pamela’s shoulders relaxed, the day’s tension melting away as Kaden’s tiny fingers found purchase on the collar of her well-worn Ravens sweatshirt.
Exhaustion tugged at Pamela’s eyelids, a souvenir from her first day back at work since before Kaden’s birth. Her Etsy store, dormant for three months, had sprung to life with the steady ping of incoming orders. Between Kaden’s erratic naps, she’d coaxed her old heat press back into service, printing a run of custom T-shirts that now hung like colorful flags across the hobby room. Her hands still smelled of the acrylic paints she’d used on a set of Chesapeake Bay coasters, each tiny blue crab and lighthouse a testament to stolen moments of creativity.
As she’d finished the last order, pride in her craftsmanship intertwined with tendrils of guilt, each vying for dominance. The heat press exhaled a final sigh as it cooled, its diminishing hum underscoring the delicate balance Pamela now faced. In that moment, the whispering machine seemed to articulate a new reality – the high-wire act between the business she’d meticulously cultivated for five years and the tiny soul who now commanded her every waking thought had officially commenced. Pamela’s gaze drifted to the baby monitor, Kaden’s gentle coos pulling her in two directions at once. Looks like life is about to become one hell of a juggling act.
Rocking, Pamela slipped into a hazy reverie, the day’s memories blurring with the quiet beauty surrounding her. Between the swaying trees, Willow Creek shimmered in the fading light, its steady rush toward Bird River a liquid metronome. The stream’s persistence echoed the swift current of change in her own life, a thought that tightened her hold on Kaden. She studied his tiny face, tracing the curve of his cheek with a gentle finger. In just two months, this small bundle had become the center of her universe, redefining her with each gurgle and yawn. His weight felt at once foreign and profoundly right, a visceral reminder of her life’s drastic shift since the onset of COVID, like the seasons painting the maples in autumn hues.
A gentle breeze carried the faint scent of pumpkin spice from a neighbor’s window, mingling with the earthy aroma of fallen leaves. Across the street, a child’s laughter echoed as his parents hung fake cobwebs and plastic jack-o’-lanterns, their excitement for the upcoming Halloween evident. The festive preparations emphasized the imminent arrival of fall celebrations, each plastic ghost and cardboard skeleton heralding Kaden’s first holiday season.
Pamela’s gaze drifted to the living room window, where gauzy curtains – a housewarming gift from her mother – rippled in the evening breeze. The sight evoked recent memories of their frantic move and the loving chaos that followed. Pamela could almost hear the echo of power tools and laughter that had filled their new home in those final breathless weeks before Kaden’s arrival.
Candice’s artistic touch had transformed the nursery walls into a dreamy wonderland, her brush strokes still crisp and vibrant. Paula’s triumphant grin flashed in Pamela’s mind – the same grin she’d worn after conquering the flatpack furniture armed with nothing but determination and a screwdriver. And Colt – powerful, steadfast Colt – had been his usual, steadying force each evening, restoring order to the day’s creative mayhem.
“Pamela, sit down before I duct tape you to that chair,” he’d tease, gently prying a duster from her hands. “Your job is growing our son. Let us handle the rest.”
Those words, and the love behind them, had wrapped around Pamela like a heated blanket, soothing the restlessness of her final trimester. Now, as Kaden sighed contentedly in her arms, Pamela felt a surge of gratitude for the family that had poured their hearts into welcoming him home.
I’m so happy we’re back in Maryland for good. This is where we need to be.
Kaden’s wide brown eyes gazed up at Pamela, a mirror of her own. I love you so much, baby boy. She traced the curve of his cheek, marveling at how this miniature being arrived fashionably late. August 12, 2021 – the day etched forever in her heart, nearly two weeks past her due date. You’re the greatest thing that ever happened to me.
Memories consumed Pamela, as vivid now as they had been two months ago. The long hours of labor, Colt’s unwavering presence at her side, and Lindsay’s unexpected but welcome arrival in the delivery room just as things had started to intensify.
“I’m here,” Lindsay announced, slipping inside with a quiet resolve. “What do you need?”
Pamela reached for her hand, grateful beyond words. “Just … stay.”
And Lindsay did stay, becoming a calm counterpoint to Colt’s nervous energy. Between contractions, Pamela had caught snippets of the waiting room drama from the nurses – her sisters running a baby weight pool, her mother pacing restlessly. I just wish Dad was still alive so he could be here too.
“Sounds like a circus out there,” Colt had quipped, wiping Pamela’s brow.
Lindsay smirked. “Bet you fifty bucks your mom’s reorganized the waiting room furniture twice by now.”
That had drawn a laugh from Pamela, a brief respite before another contraction hit.
Sometime later, as Kaden’s first cry filled the room, Pamela experienced a surge of love so intense it took her breath away. Colt’s eyes shimmered with tears as he’d cut the cord, and Lindsay squeezed Pamela’s shoulder, her composure cracking to reveal raw emotion.
“He’s perfect,” Colt whispered, massaging Kaden’s shoulder as he lay in Pamela’s arms.
“He’s beyond perfect,” Lindsay added softly, her smile warm and tinged with a hint of wistfulness.
Cradling Kaden while surrounded by Colt and Lindsay, a profound sense of rightness settled over Pamela. Their unconventional bond had only strengthened, expanding to embrace this new life they’d all welcomed into the world.
Kaden Thomas McCarron. The name they’d chosen rolled off her tongue like a prayer, a promise. Worth every moment of the long wait, every second of anticipation.
Their little August surprise.
But when the dust settled, it was the tiny human in her arms and Colt’s watery gaze that crystallized the moment for Pamela. The birth had been grueling, yes, but she’d steeled herself for that. I expected it. What caught her off guard was the tsunami of emotion that blindsided her the instant Kaden’s weight settled against her chest.
And Colt – oh, Colt.
The raw wonder etched across his features as he gazed upon their son for the first time burned itself into Pamela’s memory, a snapshot of pure, unguarded joy she knew she’d carry forever.
He’s always dreamed of being a father.
As they’d relaxed together, counting Kaden’s fingers and toes, marveling at whose features he’d inherited, an overwhelming sense of completion enveloped Pamela. It was as if every twist and turn in her life had been leading to this moment, this perfect confluence of love and purpose.
Look at him. He’s crying! I’m so happy for Colt.
And in the two months since bringing Kaden home, those emotions hadn’t faded. Instead, they’d deepened, evolving into something richer and more complex. The challenges – the pain of breastfeeding, the misery of mastitis, the exhaustion of sleepless nights – couldn’t dim the fierce joy that burned in Pamela’s heart. Even when Colt had to travel to Nevada for the Flagstone city hall hearings to finalize the sale of Happy Ending Ranch to Lindsay, leaving her alone with Kaden for three sleepless nights, that sense of rightness remained.
Colt, ever attentive, atoned upon his return. He’d insisted Pamela take a full day to shop with her sisters, pampering herself without guilt. When she returned home, he’d drawn her a bubble bath, handling all things baby-related with his trademarked composure.
Between his long shifts as Director of Guest Relations at Charm City Suites in downtown Baltimore, Colt transformed in Kaden’s presence. Pamela found herself transfixed by these moments. The corporate polish would slip away, replaced by a tender awe as Colt gathered their son in his arms. Those hands, so often occupied with hotel ledgers and client dossiers, now cradled Kaden with infinite gentleness. Pamela’s heart swelled, watching her husband’s eyes soften, his protective embrace seeming to promise shelter from all of life’s future storms.
If Pamela had found Colt attractive as a businessman, seeing him as a father ignited something primal within her. Pamela suppressed a wry grin, grateful that her body was still recovering from childbirth. Her ovaries didn’t need any ideas just yet.
457.
After whipping out her smartphone and gazing at the latest incoming text, Pamela smiled, thoughts again drifting to her friend, former lover, and now a wildly successful business owner in her own right. The number stood alone, a response to an earlier message when Pamela inquired about Lindsay’s current body count at the brothel. Though still a far cry from Pamela’s legendary record of 2,505, the steady climb spoke volumes about Lindsay’s determination and the booming business at Happy Ending Ranch.
Hopefully 460 after tonight.
Pamela’s smile widened at the next text, a mix of pride and nostalgia washing over her. Lindsay’s ambition was as strong as ever, her drive to succeed undiminished by time or circumstance. We couldn’t have left the brothel in better hands, could we? The numbers might be just digits on her iPhone, but to Pamela, they represented so much more – a shared history, a continuing connection, and the enduring spirit of a woman she deeply admired.
Lindsay’s coronation as LPIN’s “Courtesan of the Year” for 2021 had been announced the previous month, a triumph that sent her signature exuberance into overdrive. Pamela had been electrified by the late-night phone call, her eyes misting as Lindsay’s voice ricocheted between breathless laughter and joyful exclamations. This accolade, Pamela knew, transcended mere ledgers or client tallies; it stood as a testament to Lindsay’s inexhaustible spirit, her unparalleled empathy for every monger, her fierce advocacy for her colleagues’ well-being, and a relentless crusade to dismantle the stigma shrouding sex work.
Courtesan of the Year. Dayummmmm, girl. You’ve reached heights even I never did.
And God, am I proud of you.
For Pamela, this honor crowned Lindsay’s extraordinary odyssey. She could still envision the polite eighteen-year-old that had first touched down on Happy Ending Ranch’s sun-scorched gravel: Lindsay, a tempest of questions and ideas barely concealing her rookie nerves.
From those tentative first steps, Lindsay had carved a path of grit and innovation: weathering a baptism by fire during her first tour, meteoric rise to become the ranch’s top earner, deft navigation to seize ownership, and now, emergence as a trailblazer redefining society’s perception of the industry.
Pamela marveled at the similar paths she and Lindsay had traveled. Different routes, perhaps, but both leading to a shared destination of empowerment and self-realization. “Hey, Kaden. Are you hungry? Hungry, baby?”
Pamela closed her eyes, picturing Lindsay at the award ceremony. She could almost hear the rapid clip of Lindsay’s heels as she bounded onto the stage, her cheeks flushed with triumph. In her mind’s eye, she saw Lindsay’s fingers drumming excitedly on the podium, her words tumbling out in a breathless cascade of thanks and ambitious plans.
A warmth bloomed in Pamela’s chest, spreading to her fingertips. Miles might separate them, but in this moment, their journeys intertwined like twin strands of a rope, each strengthening the other. Two women who had carved their own paths, now standing tall in the lives they’d chosen. Pamela opened her eyes, her smile a mirror of the one she imagined on Lindsay’s face.
“Hold on,” Colt leaned forward, his fork pausing midair. In August, just days before Kaden was born, Colt savored five-star cuisine alongside Pamela and Lindsay at an inner harbor restaurant. “Let me get this straight. This guy dropped thirty-five grand at the ranch, and you’re saying –”
“Thirty-seven,” Lindsay cut in, a hint of pride in her voice. “Jenn scored a two-thousand-dollar tip.”
Colt’s eyebrows shot up. “Alright, thirty-seven grand. And now you’re telling us that he’s your all-time favorite client, but …” Colt frowned, puzzled. “You’re hoping this John never comes back? You don’t want to see him at the ranch ever again?”
Lindsay took a sip of wine, her eyes meeting Pamela’s across the table. “That’s right.”
“I don’t get it,” Colt shook his head, glancing between the two women. “Where is the business sense in that? What am I missing here?”
Pamela suppressed a smile, recognizing the meaning behind Lindsay’s words. She sat back, curious to hear how her friend would explain the complexity of the working girl who cares to Colt.
“You know, there are clients, and then there’s John.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “In this business, you meet all types, but John? He was truly one-of-a-kind.”
Lindsay leaned forward, her voice low and earnest. “It’s not just that he was kind or attentive. Plenty of guys can fake that for a night. But John? He’s got this … depth to him. This genuineness that you can’t help but respond to.”
Lindsay’s gaze drifted, a small smile playing on her lips. “That conversation we had the first night? It made me forget where I was, you know? Like we could’ve been anywhere – a cafe, a park, the museum, doesn’t matter. Not in a brothel. It was just two people … connecting.”
Her expression sobered. “But that’s the tragedy of it. John deserves that kind of connection all the time, not just in bartered moments in a whorehouse. He should have someone to share his life with, someone who appreciates every facet of him.”
She turned to Colt, her gaze fierce with conviction. “I want that for him, Colt. I want him to find a woman who sees his worth, who falls head over heels for him. I want John to build a life so full of joy that he never even thinks about coming back to me.”
Lindsay’s voice softened, fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. “Would I welcome him back? In a heartbeat. I’d roll out the red carpet and pop the most expensive champagne we have. But you know what? I’d be even happier to never see him again, because that would mean he’s found what he’s been searching for.
“God, if anyone, that man deserves it.”
Pamela nodded, her eyes warm with empathy. “I get it. Boy, do I get it. Back in the day, nothing brought me more joy than getting an e-mail from a regular saying they wouldn’t be coming back because they’d found someone special.” She smiled, her hand moving to her belly. “It’s bittersweet, but it’s the best kind of goodbye in our line of work. Everyone … everyone deserves to be happy.”
“Money will always be there,” Lindsay said. “Customers are always showing up. But true connections? Those are rare. To me, it’s not just about the bottom line. It’s about knowing when someone needs more than what we can give … and being okay with that.
“John deserves a chance of true love, not just an illusion of it. And if I can play a small part in nudging him toward that? Well, that’s worth more than any amount of money he could spend at the house.”
Hmmmmm, what an amazing, amazing girl.
If Colt and I ever have a daughter, I think we should name her Kayleigh.
Back in the present moment, the low, throaty purr of a high-performance engine cut through the air. Pamela’s reverie broke, her gaze drawn to the road where a cloud of golden dust billowed in the fading sunlight. A sleek silver 2022 Lexus LS 500 emerged from the haze, its polished exterior catching the last remnants of sunshine as it glided into their driveway.
A smile tugged at Pamela’s lips, equal parts amusement and affection. Colt’s new toy – a reward he’d justified with spreadsheets and practical arguments about reliability and safety. But she knew better. The gleaming machine represented more than just transportation; it was a symbol of their new life, made possible by Lindsay’s generous offer to purchase Happy Ending Ranch.
As the engine fell silent and Colt's familiar silhouette appeared, Pamela felt a warmth that outshone even the lingering heat of her cider. The $1.5 million, to be paid over twenty years, had opened doors they’d once only dreamed of. Yet watching Colt stride toward them, his face lighting up at the sight of her and Kaden, Pamela knew true wealth couldn’t be measured in dollars or luxury cars.
Even after all this time, Colt could still stir something powerful within her. The charcoal suit hugged his athletic frame, a perfect blend of professional polish and casual ease. His tie was absent, no doubt stuffed into a pocket, and the crisp white shirt lay open at the throat, offering a tantalizing glimpse of sun-kissed skin. The tailored pants skimmed his flat stomach and slim hips, a reminder of the strength and grace that still made her pulse quicken.
As he removed his sunglasses, Colt’s eyes found hers. The softness in his gaze, the gentle curve of his smile as he took in the sight of her and Kaden, said more than words ever could. The world seemed to narrow to just the three of them on the porch, wrapped in the glow of the setting sun.
“How was your day?” she asked as he knelt in front of her, kissing her cheek and touching Kaden’s head.
“Long. Boring. And I missed you two. How was yours?”
She smiled. “Pretty much the same. You look beat.”
“Yeah, the budget meeting was rough.” Colt leaned back and winced. “Feels like I’ve been talking in circles all day.”
“No luck then?” Pamela asked, frowning.
“Not yet. But I have another shot on Monday. Just need to tweak a few numbers, simplify the presentation a bit.”
Pamela reached out, smoothing a wrinkle in his collar. “Something tells me we’re not in Nevada anymore.”
“God, no.” Colt chuckled, his thumb tracing small circles on Kaden’s forehead. “This? This is so much better.” He edged inward, giving his wife a proper kiss on the lips. “This is everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”
Colt extended his arms. “Here, let me take the rugrat for a bit. You’ve been on baby duty all day – time for some Dad time.” Once the exchange was made, Kaden stirred, his fist now grasping Colt’s shirt. “Hey there, buddy. Did you take good care of Mommy today?”
Pamela stretched, relishing the momentary freedom. Her muscles protested, reminding her of the long day hunched over her work table. She took a long sip of cider, savoring the warmth as it spread through her chest.
Colt’s brows furrowed. “You’re the one who looks beat, love. How about I handle dinner tonight?”
“You don’t have to do that,” Pamela started to protest, but Colt shook his head.
“Nope, I insist. You’ve been juggling the baby and the business all day. Tonight, you’re off duty.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Besides, I’ve been itching to try out that new vegan recipe I found. What do you say to some jackfruit crab cakes with cashew remoulade and a kale-quinoa salad?”
Pamela’s eyebrows shot upward, her stomach growling. “Wow, that sounds incredible. When did you become such a vegan gourmet?”
Colt grinned, pride in his voice. “I may have been doing some research during my lunch break. Figured it was time I upped my plant-based game for you.”
As Colt turned to venture inside, Kaden still secure in his arms, Pamela caught a whiff of his cologne – a blend of citrus and cedar that never failed to make her heart skip a beat. She watched as Colt paused at the threshold, his silhouette framed by the warm light spilling from within their home.
“Coming?” he asked, glancing back with a smile that held a world of love and promise.
Pamela nodded, rising from the rocker. As she followed Colt inside, leaving behind the dusky hues of twilight, she felt a sense of anticipation. Not just for the meal to come, but for all the quiet, precious moments that made up their life together.
She took in the sight of Colt moving effortlessly around the kitchen, Kaden nestled in the baby sling across his chest. The scene before her was so far removed from the glitz and chaos of their old life, yet infinitely more satisfying.
As she settled onto a barstool at the kitchen island, ready to watch her husband work his culinary magic, Pamela felt a profound sense of gratitude. This – this moment, this life – was everything she’d ever wanted, too, even though she’d delayed motherhood for years, instead finding fulfillment at Happy Ending Ranch, never quite able to picture this domestic scene. Yet now, surrounded by the warmth of home and family, Pamela realized that sometimes life’s greatest gifts arrive when you least expect them, in forms you never anticipated.
“Need any help?” she offered, knowing full well what the answer would be.
Colt shot a mock-stern look over his shoulder as he rummaged through the fridge. “Absolutely not. Your job tonight is to relax and let me pamper you.”
Pamela laughed, offering her hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. I know better than to argue with the chef.”
As Colt began to prep the ingredients, he regaled her with tales from his day at the hotel. Pamela listened, offering the occasional comment or question, but mostly basking in the comfortable rhythm of their conversation.
The kitchen soon filled with an intoxicating blend of aromas – the earthy scent of jackfruit mingling with the sharp tang of lemon and the nutty warmth of toasting quinoa. Kaden, lulled by the warmth and the steady motion of Colt’s movements, drifted off to sleep.
Pamela’s gaze lingered on Colt as he moved around the kitchen, regret tugging at her heart. We’ve been together for sixteen years, but how many of those did I spend ignoring what you truly wanted most in life?
The memories flooded back – Colt’s jealous glances at young families in the park, his gentle hints about “someday,” the quiet resignation in his eyes each time she’d change the subject. Pamela had been so caught up in the whirlwind of Happy Ending Ranch, convinced that their life there was enough.
Now, watching him hum to Kaden while stirring a pot of quinoa, Pamela realized this was the role Colt had been born to play, the dream he’d patiently waited for her to share. If only I hadn’t been so stubborn and shortsighted, we could’ve had this years ago. There … there was no need for me to keep working the way I did.
Yet even as guilt threatened to overwhelm her, Pamela couldn’t help but marvel at Colt’s unwavering devotion. He’d stood by her through it all, never pushing, always supporting, and now he embraced fatherhood with a passion that gave her pause. In that moment, Pamela silently vowed to make up for lost time, to ensure that every day from now on was filled with the purpose she’d unwittingly denied him for so long.
As if sensing her mood, Colt looked up from where he shaped the jackfruit cakes. “Hey, everything okay?”
“Yes, yes, Colt.” Pamela wiped her cheeks, but new tears tumbled down before she could mop the old ones away. “Everything is perfect.”
((End of Chapter Fifty-One -- only one more to go before the story ends))
