“That I’ve been falling in love with you from the second I found you in that snowstorm, and I think you were meant to be mine,” he said, wrapping his arms around her back and kissing her like she was the only woman in the world he could ever need.”
“Good, because I think I love you too.”
They didn’t say anything else and although Wes didn’t get to spend as long as he wanted in bed with her that morning, he finally knew their time wasn’t limited.He could spend every morning for the rest of his life with this woman and it wouldn’t be long enough.
EPILOGUE
Shelby
Didn’t See You Coming
“What do youmean the book is done?”her editor’s voice squeaked over the line.“You had two more weeks!”
“I know but it’s done.I feel really great about it, but you should know if the publisher doesn’t love it, I’m going to self-publish it anyway.”
“Shelby Shepherd, you are the most talented author I’ve ever worked with and if they don’t love it, then I hope you’ll hire me as a freelancer to help you edit the entire series.”
Shelby grinned.“It’s really good—you’re going to cry.”
“I can’t wait.Send it on over.”
“Done.”
“Hey, is that your grandfather’s library I see in the background?”
“Yep, and I’m staying in Sandy Point permanently now.”
“Fantastic for you, and your books.I’ll be in touch soon.”
Once she was done with the call, she walked back out to the living room but was surprised to find Declan Shaw sitting there with Wes.It was a Saturday and Wes had the day off.Things had finally started to quiet down two weeks after her brother’s arrest and Wes announcing his formal bid for sheriff.
“Hi, Declan, did I miss some new lawsuit from my family over Pops’s estate?”she asked, sitting next to Wes.But then she noticed Wes was holding an envelope.
“Hi, Shelby, sorry to intrude.I just had something to drop off for Wes.”
“Everything okay?”she asked, looking from Declan back to Wes who just seemed stunned.
“I’ll leave you to try and enjoy your Saturday.Wes, when you’re ready, you let me know how you want to handle this,” Declan said, then let himself out.
“Wes, what happened?I mean if you don’t want to talk about it that’s okay too.”
He handed her the envelope and she pulled out a few sheets of paper with what looked like old medical test results.At the top it read DNA test.
“This says Renn Ripley Walker, is a one hundred percent match with Michael Ripley Hart.Wait, isn’t that your dad’s name?”
“Yes.”His voice was gravelly, like he was unsure what he was agreeing to.
“Your dad had a fourth son?But not with your mom?”
Wes stood and faced the large windows that looked out at the water, which was calm and in complete contrast to how he must be feeling.
“Does anyone else know?”
“I don’t think so, but this Renn wants to meet us.”
She walked over to stand next to him and held his hand.“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to have to call a family meeting and tell everyone before he just shows up to Gran’s house and announces his existence.But I have no idea how she’s going to take this.”
