Page 160 of A Gentle Kind of Magic

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s everyone’s territory,” Leo said, his voice as firm as ever. “Besides, you’re basically…” He paused. “Pack-in-law.”

“Pack-in-law? Who got married?”

“I dunno,” I cut in. “I feel like all of us kind of did on the battleground. At the very least, we’ve all probably bled on each other.”

“You’ve got a point there. All right, we can swing by from time to time, but only if you come down forCinco De Mayo.”

“Have youevergot a deal,” I said, letting go of her hand only to pat her on her shoulder. I wasn’t going to give up a chance to miss good cooking and great music anytime soon.

The conversation died down as our pack all lined up to look at what was now ours. Finally, after so many years, I had a real family, a farm of my dreams with the man I loved, and financial stability. I could focus on writing a book. Or catch up on my reading list. And of course, build my new garden from the ground up.

Did I also mention…Chickens?

Leo turned to me, and when I returned his gaze, tears sprang to my eyes. I was about to be a weepy mess, but I couldn’t help it. I was sohappy!

“We did it,” I murmured, my voice cracking.

“We did,” he confirmed, his large, warm palms coming up to cup either side of my face. “All thanks to you.”

“All thanks tous.”

With that, he kissed me, and just like every other time, my stomach flipped, my heart thundered, and the world narrowed down to the two of us. Him and me, and all the love we had for each other.

I truly was the luckiest woman in the world. Or, uh, dryad, I supposed, and I couldn’t wait for our extended family to start on our journey together.

And, of course, to get to planting.