“We are square, thanks to you.”
Kyle inhaled sharply. “That’s what I wanted.”
Arden set the letters aside and they sat down, Arden tucked up against Kyle. Camo curled up on the floor between them. For a moment, she was at a loss for what to say. “So, have you shot a Draeger RBD 5000 yet?”
Kyle grinned. “Nope, because it’s still a diving kit. I see you haven’t gotten rid of that robe either.”
“Someone once told me I collect strays. That hasn’t changed.”
Kyle grew serious. “You sure about that?”
“Kyle, you didn’t fail me that night. You saved my life. You saved Walter, and Ellie, and all the horses. And Malakai.”
“Who?”
“The alpaca. You just can’t stop saving lives, can you?”
“I guess I can’t.”
“So you didn’t fail me then.”
“Then I failed you by leaving. But I didn’t want to. I had no choice.”
“Then that’s not a failure either, especially since you came back.” She grabbed his hand. “My brother was a Swick, remember? I kinda know a thing or two about how top-secret missions go, and I figured your disappearance was something like that.”
Kyle squeezed her hand. “Yeah, something like that.”
“What youdidfail to get, Kyle McGuire, is thatI love you. You think a bullet’s gonna make me give up on us, then you don’t know me.”Oh, crap!She covered her mouth and laughed. “Um, do you realize we haven’t even known each other for a week?”
Kyle rubbed his chin. “Hmm. You know though, in dog days, we’ve known each other for almost two months.”
“Two whole months? Well, that’s a different story then.”
Kyle fixed her with those icy blues, only there was not an icy thing about them. They were back to being warm, tropical pools. He got off the couch, knelt down at her feet, and wrapped his arms around her. “I love you, so much, Arden. Marry me.”
Oh my God. Arden’s heart did a summersault.Yes!“Okay, Mr. McGuire, who I’ve known for almost two whole months in dog days. Iwillmarry you. But there’s one thing.”
“What’s that?”
Camo jumped up and ran to the back door, barking.
They both threw their heads back and groaned in unison. “Great timing, buddy,” Kyle said. “You are officially no longer my wingman.”
Arden started to stand and Kyle helped her up, mindful of her arm in its sling. “I am going to take such good care of you, Arden. You’re not gonna lift a finger until you’re healed up, and then I’m still gonna help you with the ranch.”
Now her heart was doing cartwheels. Could this really be happening? “Let’s see what caught Camo’s attention. I know it’s not the mountain lion. I heard they caught him and he’s on his way further into the mountains where he’ll be released away from civilization.”
“You callthiscivilization?”
“Ha-ha.”
Kyle opened the sliding door. Camo ran out, barked a couple times as if to say,this place is under my protection now, then trotted back to Kyle and Arden. It was full dark, and the stars were out in full. The night was nearly silent except for the whisper of wind in the pines.
Kyle marveled at the night sky. “Goddamn, it’s beautiful out here.”
“Supposed to be a meteor shower tonight. Nothing like watching one at this altitude. Sometimes, you can—oh!”
Just as she spoke, the sky lit with a falling star. As it sped across the sky, they heard a distinct sizzle.
