The shiver that took her had nothing to do with the falling snow and everything to do with the hottie Italian smokejumper holding her so close.
He kissed her nose and made her sigh.
Even so, if he was going to be so upfront, so was she. “It’s way too early to say thelword,” she murmured.
“Sure. Although you fell for me the second I saved your butt on the mountain.” It probably wasn’t arrogant if it was true.
She was too mellow to argue. “Maybe. Every girl wants a hero.”
“Is that a fact?” He took a drink of her wine. “Well, you’ve got one if you want one.”
“I want one,” she whispered. “But just you. Not anyone.” Her head was spinning a little, but she was safe with him. Completely. “You’re the perfect hero for me.” He and his rescue dog who’d found her on the mountain. Both of them had planted themselves squarely in her heart.
He kissed her then, on the deck with his family all around. Then he leaned back. “You’re the perfect hero for me, too.” Drawing her close, he tucked her right into his side, where he seemed to want her.
Forever.
Epilogue
Anna Albertini settled beneath the heater at her usual table with her sisters on either side of her drinking red wine. Pauley had chosen to eat inside at this barbecue, and she’d play a video game with him later. For now, the river rushed by, the heater kept them toasty, and family was all around. It was a good night, and everyone was safe.
For now, anyway.
Donna sipped the Chianti to her right, her boots covered in snow. “Think they’ll have a spring or summer wedding?”
Anna studied Quint and Heather, noting how right they looked together. “Quint says he’s patient, but he’s really not.”
Tessa sipped her Cabernet to Anna’s left. “That’s the truth. We’re too close to Christmas right now. Does anybody know when Heather’s birthday is? She seems like an Aquarius to me.”
Donna snorted. “You already heard her tell Nonna that her birthday is in February. Don’t act like you can guess a person’s sign.”
“I can,” Tessa retorted. “It’s a gift I get from the O’Shea side.”
Anna took a deep drink of her Shiraz. “Regardless, February will be the perfect time to propose. They can have a summer wedding.” Her heart warmed for her cousin. He deserved happiness and Heather was his perfect match. She could handle his job and the stress that came with it. “I wonder if she’ll ask one of us to be in the wedding.”
“Maybe,” Tessa said. “At the very least, I’ll bet she takes us dress shopping with her. She probably doesn’t even know we have an aunt who owns a dress shop.”
Donna leaned toward them. “Make sure Quint takes one of us ring shopping when he goes. He’s a good guy, but he knows nothing about gems. He’ll totally screw up the ring.”
Anna nodded. “Yeah. You’re not wrong. Remember that necklace he gave mom for her fiftieth birthday?”
They all shuddered.
“She still wears it when he’s around, and the thing looks too heavy for her small neck,” Donna laughed.
“His heart was in the right place,” Tess chortled.
Anna’s heart turned over as Aiden strode over to Quint and sat to chat. Speaking of being in the right place.
Donna nudged her. “I swear you look like one of those cartoon characters with hearts shooting out of their eyes. Try to play it a little cool.”
“I am cool,” Anna said, glancing at her phone. “But I need to get going soon. Work calls.”
“Any interesting cases?” Tessa asked, watching Quint and Heather again.
Anna nodded. “Always. I’m defending Santa next week.”
Donna jolted. “Of course you are.”
