With Noodles winding around my ankles, I put the food tray down on the nightstand.
Amy fluttered her eyes open and smiled at me dreamily.
“So did I pass the test? I made it until Monday.”
Her voice was soft when she spoke. “You passallmy tests, Dawson. But don’t you have to go to work at some point?”
“Naw. Not today. I called off.”
“Your boss let you do that?”
She still didn’t know I was the boss. At least in my department. Andmyboss, the owner of the company, knew that Inevercalled off. So, he’d been fine with it when I’d told him I needed a personal day.
“Yup. They’ll make do without me today. I know how importantMondaysare for you. And I wanted to show you that I’m planning on sticking around as long as you let me.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed, feeding her a piece of tangerine.
“There is something serious I need to ask you, though. Would you be willing to… meet my daughter?”
Amy sat up fast. “You want me to meet Talia?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
She beamed at me, tiny tears of emotion appearing in the corners of her eyes. “I’d love to meet your daughter.”
A throaty chuckle erupted from my mouth. “Good. Good. It’s settled then. And you’re okay that I’m not a cowboy?”
Amy laughed. “I think I can make do. And cowboys are overrated. Mountain men are where it’s at.”
Then I thought to ask, “How do you feel about living on Red Oak Mountain? It’s a perfect town. I can take you around and let you see what you think. If I absolutely had to, I could move here, but I’d prefer if we lived there. Everyone I know and love is on that mountain. Everyone except you.”
Amy’s hand latched onto mine, her eyes shining brightly. She’d obviously noticed that I’dalmostsaid I love her. I was trying not to scare her off by throwing around the L word so soon.
“Dawson Clark. Did you just ask me to move in with you?”
I met her gaze with a serious one of my own.
“That’sexactlywhat I’d like to see happen.”
I was over the moon about this woman. And even though it hadn’t been long, I knew we could figure out our path together. There was something about her that completed me, a missing piece of the puzzle that I’d almost given up hope of ever finding.
Amy’s lips twitched. “Let’s do it. Let’s be crazy. But first, we need to make sure Talia approves of me. I wouldn’t feel right going forward with our relationship if she doesn’t want me around. Maybe you’ll give me some pointers on what she likes so I can make a good first impression.”
I kissed her then. A kiss that said forever.
When I finally pulled back, my voice was raw with emotion. I was in love with this woman. And it had happened fast, like a bolt of lightning.
My heart was beating for her now. I’d doanythingfor Amy.
Tugging her into my arms, I growled out, “So it’s official. We’re going to retire the Boinkacorn.”
She laughed and peppered my chest with kisses. “Yeah, I won’t be needing that anymore. You’re the new official vibe in my life.”
Epilogue
Dawson
Six Months Later
