He kissed her, and she leaned into him, loving his strength and warmth. When he pulled away, it was far too soon. She groaned, wanting to tug him back.
“I have something to show you,” he whispered.
“Really? What?”
“Come and see.”
She frowned but he just gave her a lopsided grin before pulling her out of the apartment and down the stairs. When they climbed into his car and started driving, curiosity got the better of her. “You’re really not going to tell me where you’re taking me?”
“Nope. You’ll see soon enough.”
Ten minutes later, Cody pulled up outside a small cottage-looking house. There was a navy-blue picket fence and shutters.It was gorgeous. So gorgeous, she was still staring raptly when Cody climbed out and came around to her side. He helped her out before leading her toward the door. They were inside the fence and halfway down the path when she pulled at his hand.
“Wait, Cody. I need you to tell me what we’re doing here.”
He stopped, his gaze brushing over her face. “Well, it just so happens that this house came on the market a short while ago. I’ve been communicating with the listing agent…and we’re at the contract stage. But, before I buy it for us…I need to know it’s the one you’ve been dreaming about.”
Her jaw dropped open. “For us?”
“Yeah. Both our names will be on the deed. It’ll be ours. Yours and mine. We can paint the fence white. It has space for the vegetable garden. There are little things that need fixing, but I can do that. And maybe we can even convince Tommy to come live with us.”
She just continued to stare at him, her heart beating too fast and her fingers shaking. He was out of his mind, right? He wasn’t actually talking about buying them ahome? “You’re serious? You’re really buying the house I’ve always dreamed of?”
“I am. For you. For us. For our future.” He stepped closer, swiping away a tear from her cheek. “Because youaremy future, Harper. You’re not mine for a moment. Or a few years. You’re mine forever. And I’m yours. And I want us to be perfect.”
A few more deep breaths and it finally clicked—she’d been right all along. Hewasperfect. Perfect for her.
She jumped into his arms, and he caught her easily. “I love you, Cody Walker. God, I love you so much!”
“You have no idea, Storm. My love for you is like an obsession.” Then he kissed her, and she felt it all. Safety. Strength. And all the love she’d ever dreamed of possessing.
CHAPTER 33
Kayden negotiated his way down the mountain. His morning tour group would be here soon, so he was checking that the path was clear. He was employed by the National Park Service, so the tours were an add-on to his SAR job.
This was his favorite part of his profession. Being out here in the early morning, on his own. There was something so calming about the mountains when the sun was just rising. When he only had the sound of the wind in the trees to keep him company. The feel of the morning mist on his skin.
Some days, he missed his time as a PJ in the Air Force. He’d saved people from all kinds of hostile environments for years. He was trained as a parachutist, scuba diver, rock climber…he was ready for anything. Hell, he’d even had arctic training in order to endure any environment to save others.
Coming home to Misty Peak had been a shock to his system. It was a much slower pace. Well…bar the last few weeks.
His back teeth ground together at the thought of what Cody and Harper had gone through. At what her father had put them through, then Dayne.
Fucking scumbags.
If there was anything Kayden was grateful for, it was the loving home environment his parents had created for him and his siblings. Losing them had been hard, especially his mother at such a young age, but damn if he wasn’t grateful for the love they’d given him while they’d been alive.
He moved up the hill to the visitors center. It was still too early for anyone else to be there. Not that many people worked at the center—three other members of the SAR team, who also conducted tours, as well as a couple of people who worked in the café, and a young girl named Pixie who worked at the desk.
And of course, Linda usually worked in her office, and sometimes at the front desk.
He stepped into the building—only to have his feet grind to a halt. A woman was bent over the desk, back facing him as she rifled through papers. She obviously hadn’t heard him open the door, because her actions didn’t pause or slow.
“Holy crackers. What kind of a filing system is this, Linda?”
Kayden’s muscles locked at the woman’s whispered muttering. He knew that voice well. Had heard it many times. Had lectured himself time and again not to be affected by its raspy, sexy undertone.
“God dang it.” Tilly rose and turned, a cry immediately slipping from her lips when she saw him. She pressed a hand to her fast-moving chest. “Oh my God, Kayden! You scared me. I didn’t hear you come in.”
