Greer frowns. “If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have what I do now. An amazing boyfriend, an over-the-top car, a thriving business, and a brand new diploma, so I’m just gonna let it go.” Her frown curls into a smile. “But please, send pictures.”
With too-perfect timing at hand, I seize the moment and slide off my chair, dropping to one knee as I dig into my pocket, producing a small box.
“Kell?” Greer says in question. She gasps when she sees the box, hands rising to cover her mouth.
“Greer,” I stary. My voice comes out softer than I expect. “I know we haven’t been together long, but I can’t bear the thought of having to suffer a single day without you.” I flip the box lid up. The ring catches the lamplight, sparkling fiercely. “So, to spare me eternal despair and a lifetime of depression, will you marry me?”
“Yes. A thousand times yes,” she squeals, holding out her hand for me.
I slip the ring onto her finger, rise, and take her into my arms, breathing in her sweet scent.
She’s finally mine. After all these months of waiting, I get to claim her.
Once we’ve finally calmed, and our heart rates have returned to normal, Greer asks, “What made you propose now?”
“I promised myself I wouldn’t until you passed your test.” I nod over to Rus. “And having him here was an added bonus.”
“Yep.” Rus lifts his phone. “Especially since I caught it all on video.”
We spend the next two hours taking pictures in and around the cabin. Rus sends each one to his and Greer’s parents with joyful captions. The responses he gets in return range from jealousy-fueled anger to fake apologies. Greer doesn’t fall for any of it.
For dinner, we head to The Ridge Diner, which has home-cooked meals that rival any five-star dining experience I’ve ever had.
Greer is all shy smiles, but I see a twinkle of pride in her eye.
Before heading back up the mountain, we drop Rus off at the clinic, where there’s now a bedroom for times we need to keep animals overnight.
The mountain feels quiet as we climb up the long, winding road. Greer’s hand rests warm on my thigh as though to claim ownership.
It’s dark when we head inside. Gerry is asleep in his pen.
“I still can’t believe I ended up here, with you.” Greer’s voice is quiet.
“I can’t either,” I confess. “I wake up every morning praying it’s not all a dream.”
Greer turns to me, taking my hands in hers. “I’m here, Kell. And I always will be.” She rises on her toes to meet my mouth. The kiss starts slow—soft, searching—then deepens as her hands slide up my chest, fingers curling. I back her gently against the door, mouth ready to devour.
Her breath hitches when my fingers find the hem of her sweater, slipping beneath to trace the warm skin of her waist.
“I love you,” she pants in a desperate way I’ll never get enough of.
I kiss her harder, hands roaming, memorizing every curve. She arches into me, fingers threading through my hair, tugging just enough to make me groan.
Deciding I’d much rather be celebrating in our warm bed, I scoop her up in my arms, earning a delighted squeal from her pouty lips, and carry her to the bedroom.
We make love as we always do, but it doesn’t feel the same. Our hearts seem to beat in sync as our bodies melt against one another. She claims me just as much as I claim her, and when we’ve finally spent ourselves and we’re lying tangled in the sheets, I ask the question that’s been burning a hole in my soul.
“Greer?” I whisper softly.
Her hand shifts against my chest. “Yeah?”
“What do you think about maybe one day having a kid or two?”
Her head jerks up. “Is that what you want?”
“I’m the one asking questions.”
“I guess I never thought about it until now because I was never in a good enough place.” She sighs. “But I think I would like at least two, maybe three.”
