He sat forward and caught the back of her neck, pulling her forehead to his.“I never want you to forget Liam.Inever want to forget him.Let’s get that clear right away.As a matter of fact, I think we should do something special tomorrow for the anniversary of his death.I don’t know what, but—”
“I’d like that,” she said, the words rushing out.“I could make his favorite meal, pot pie soup.”
“We can invite Dez, McKenna and Jaxon too.”
She nodded and closed her eyes.Quin’s warm palm cradled her head, his touch filling a deep need inside her.Tears stung her eyes.“Okay,” she managed to say.
“As far as you and I go, I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want.We can take a break and—”
She snapped her eyes open and caught his free hand in hers.“No.”The word came out fast, the mention of them being separated again too painful to bear.Maybe that was the sign she’d needed.“You can’t leave again.”
“Never,” he breathed.“I love you too damn much.”
Butterfly wings beat against her breastbone.“I love you, too.I want to be with you, Quin.I feel complete when we’re together.I don’t hurt anymore.”Tears broke through her lashes.
He kissed her cheeks then swiped the droplets with his knuckle.“That’s all I care about, Jos.We can take things slow.Heck, I can live with Kennedy until I sell the logging company—or even stay there.We’ve got a suite above the garage.”
She shook her head and mopped her cheeks with the heel of her palm.“No way.You’ll stay with me.Liam would insist.”
He chuckled.“Yeah, that he would.He always took care of everyone.”He dragged his knuckles down her arm.“Maybe he brought us together so we could take care of each other.”
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, taking care not to aggravate his wound.His words had sunk through the thin walls of her resistance.This was what she wanted.To be happy.To laugh again...
She wanted Quin.
The rough bristles on his jaw moved as he turned to kiss her cheek.“Can you do one thing for me, babe?”
She sucked in a deep breath of his spicy scent.Not pulling away, she nodded.“Of course.”
“Get me the hell out of this hospital.”
She let loose a laugh, and it was as if all her grief fell away.Liam would never be gone.She didn’t have to forget him.But she could love again, and dang it, she wanted to be loved, too.
And she’d never stop loving Quin.
EPILOGUE
Josie pulled thechampagne flutes from the top shelf in her kitchen.She blew on the rims and dust particles fluttered out.She’d have to wash them.It’d been over a year since she had a reason to celebrate, but Quin’s selling the logging company was a major milestone.
She tucked her phone between her shoulder and ear.Quin would be home any minute and she’d have to let McKenna go.
“I mean, you could always move the dresser in your room and put a crib there.Oh!”McKenna cried, new excitement taking over her voice.“The guys could build an extension off your cabin.Jaxon’s a carpenter and—”
Josie laughed.“You know I’m not pregnant, right?”she asked as she ran the flutes under a stream of water, washing away the dust.
McKenna made a sound of irritation.“Well, I’m just thinking long term.”
“And what about your and Jaxon’s long-term family plan?”
Silence simmered over the line.
“McKenna?”
“We started trying.No news yet, but I’ll keep you posted.”
“Oh my gosh!I’m so excited for you.”
She filled a bowl with ice and placed the champagne bottle inside, then moved the bowl and glasses to the living room.
