Knox chuckled. “Thanks, but no. I’ve already found my place.” He lifted Leni’s chin on the edge of his fingers. “It’s here in Parrish Falls, with my extraordinary, beautiful mate.”
EPILOGUE
Six months later . . .
“Claude, would you like more coffee?” Behind the counter full of diner patrons, Leni held the fresh pot in her hand. She winked at the old man’s wife, Mable. “How’s that blueberry pie?”
“Best in the whole state, honey. Your mom and gran sure would be proud.”
Leni smiled. “I’ll swing by with some more vanilla ice cream. That slice looks awfully lonely, if you ask me.”
Mable chuckled. “That’s only because my husband stole the first scoop from right under my nose.”
She squawked as Claude reached over and gave her a playful pinch.
Leni left the elderly pair to their flirting and made a quick final round to the rest of the patrons before it was time to start closing for the night.
It was a glorious, warm August evening, the sun having set just a few minutes ago. She loved the blue hour between sundown and nightfall. Not only because of the soothing way it painted the summer trees outside the diner in a cool shade of twilight, but because it also meant it was nearly time for her evening escorts to come and walk her home to the house.
She couldn’t curb her smile as the bell above the door jingled with Knox and Riley’s arrival.
The little boy from just half a year ago had somehow grown a full inch during summer break. He had since retired Fred and the rest of his imaginary friends, moving too quickly from the whimsical child he’d been to an inquisitive, sensitive youth who absolutely adored and idolized his current best friend, Knox.
But he still gave the best hugs Leni had ever known.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he ran to her in greeting. “You’re getting really fat,” he declared, resting his head on the rounded swell of her belly. “How long is that baby going to take to get here, anyway?”
She laughed. “Only a few more months now.”
Knox strode up and tilted her face for his kiss. “Hello, love.”
She melted into him, as always. After the trauma they had come through together, she savored every second of every day she shared with Knox. And the nights.
Especially the nights.
He broke their kiss on a low growl meant for her ears only. His strong arms enveloped her, the heat and scent of him driving her mad with desire. Even heavy with his child, she couldn’t get enough of her blood-bonded mate.
“Do I look fat to you?” she whispered.
He shook his head, amber sparks dancing in his stormy blue-gray eyes. “You look beautiful. So beautiful, I think I might keep you pregnant for the next ten years.”
“What does pregnant mean?” Riley asked, hopping onto one of the empty stools at the counter.
Leni and Knox both laughed, along with several of her customers.
She didn’t doubt for a minute that her mate was fully capable of keeping her knocked up. God knew, they spent enough time practicing for it.
Given his background, she had worried that Knox might be reluctant to start a family. Instead, it had been his suggestion. He wanted to put down roots with her, make a life together in the town that had been her home from the day she’d been born.
Now, in just three months’ time, they would welcome their son in Parrish Falls too.
Knox stroked her unbound hair, drawing her against the hard ridges of his warm, all-too-sexy body. “Have I told today you that I love you?”
“You have,” she murmured. “But by all means, don’t let that stop you.”
“I love you,” he said, his gaze so earnest and solemn, it made her heart squeeze in her breast.
“I love you too, Knox. Forever.”
