My heart soars and the biggest smile breaks on my face. “You’re in love with me.”
“I am. And you’re in love with me, right?”
“So much.”
“Then this is where our new life starts. Just lay back and let it happen because I’m in charge now.”
“Until I feel better,” I warn.
“We’ll see,” he says. His pale blue eyes are so warm and loving that it feels like an actual caress. “Now to bed with you, my love.”
He carries me upstairs and I can’t look away from that sharp jawline, lean cheeks and gorgeous face. He lays me down on the bed and carefully tucks the blankets around me, kissing my lips so gently that tears tingle in my eyes again.
I grasp his hand when he goes to move away. “Can you stay with me for a while?”
“Absolutely.” He drops his coat and then toes his shoes off, climbing into bed with me and holding me tight. Sighing, I wrap my arms around him and let the warmth of his embrace wash over me.
I feel safer than I’ve felt in forever. I feel loved.
He kisses my forehead and his chin rests on the top of my head. I can feel his heartbeat, strong and steady, under my cheek and I rest my hand over his pec. Let the rhythm soothe me back to sleep.
But before I slide into sleep, I whisper, “Why did you change your mind?”
“An old friend of mine gave me a come to Jesus moment.”
“One of the guys at the bakery?”
“No. I met him a long time ago. He’s a distant relative on my mom’s side.”
“He sounds nice. I can’t wait to meet him.”
“We’ll head to Black Timber Peak where he lives sometime soon. But he’s not nice. He’s an asshole. Verity, his wife, is an angel for putting up with his grumpy ass. I’ll tell you how they met sometime. It’s quite the story.”
Smiling, I let his voice caress me. “I’d like that.”
I can’t believe I thought he’d hurt me. Can’t believe I was willing to walk away and not see him due to a stupid misunderstanding.I must have been crazy.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t listen to you when you tried to talk to me.”
“That’s alright. But I’m not doing that again. If you tell me to leave again, it’s not gonna happen.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“It’s a promise. Now sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up and we’ll have dinner with Casey. And then we’ll work out how this is going to happen. We’re gonna start our new life.”
“I can’t wait,” I whisper sleepily, my muscles aching but my heart finally settling in my chest.
The future looks good. I’m not necessarily healthy, but I’m happy. I’m loved. And sometimes that has to be enough.
“I love you, Mark.”
“Right backatcha, princess. Now rest.”
Settling into his chest, I let myself drift and the pain finally slips away as I slip into sleep.
And dream about a future that I never saw coming. A future with the man of my dreams by my side. And a daughter that I know I’m gonna love with all my heart.
Epilogue
