I hear it whispered as we walk down Main Street.
“Is she with Adam now?”someone says lowly.
“I didn’t think she’d go for a Blake after Jacob,” another voice mutters.
“She looks happy, though...”a third cuts in.
That last one makes me grin.Lenor squeezes my hand tighter, her chin high even though I can feel the tension humming through her.She hates being watched, judged.She hates feeling like she’s the town’s favorite soap opera.
So I stop in the middle of the street, ignoring the gawkers, and turn to her.
“Adam,” she hisses, eyes wide.“What are you...”
I kiss her.Right there on Main Street, in front of Mrs.Carter, in front of Mason Holt, and in front of anyone who’s ever doubted us.It’s slow, deep, and deliberate.And it’s not just a simple kiss—it’s a claim.A declaration.
When I pull back, her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen, her eyes shining with shock and something softer.
“Let them talk,” I murmur against her mouth.“Because they’ll be saying the truth this time.”
Her smile is shaky but real.And in that moment, I know we’ve already won.
****
Later, Wesley cornersme in the back office at Blake’s, arms folded and his expression sharp.
“Are you sure about this, little brother?”he asks.
I meet his eyes, steady.“I have never been surer about a damn thing in my entire life, Wes.This is it for me, she is it for me, just like Karmen is for you.I love Lenor and nothing will change that.”
He studies me for a long beat before nodding once.“Then don’t screw it up.”
“I won’t.”I say with a nod.“I know what this means, not just for me but for her as well.”
I can’t mess this up.Because Lenor isn’t just another notch or a fling or a mistake.She’s my forever.And I’ll burn this whole damn town down before I let anyone take her from me.
****
When we leave Blake’sand go home, we do it together.The two of us curl up on her couch and she looks at me with those big, brave eyes and whispers, “What if it doesn’t last?What if we fall apart?”
I brush a strand of hair from her face, my hand cupping her jaw.“Then I’ll spend every day fighting for us until it does.Forever means forever, Lennie.You’re stuck with me.”
Her breath catches.Her eyes glisten.And then she smiles, soft, certain, and unshakable.
“I guess I can live with that,” she snarks.
I kiss her again, slow and sure, sealing the promise I’ll never break.Because Adam Blake might’ve been reckless once.But with Lenor Daniels in my arms, I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.This isn’t just love.This is forever.
Epilogue
All Roads Lead Home
Lenor
Four Years Later
The bells on the door of thebed-and-breakfastjingle, and I look up from the front desk just in time to see a blur of dark hair and boundless energy tear down the hallway.
“Mommy!”
