“Always, my love. With you,” he reminded her. “We will get you out of here, and then we’re getting married.”
“Married?” she said. “I’ve heard those words from you before. I can’t chase you down and beat you right now. I’m too tired.”
“Leslie, you’ll keep your eyes open. Do you hear me?” he said firmly as Dillon and Cade burst through, and together they moved the beam. Someone passed them a gurney, and they counted to three, picking Leslie up and placing her on the gurney. She cried out in pain, making the men grimace.
“The ambulance can only get up halfway,” Dillon informed them. “The EMT’s arrived.”
Owen kissed her as they passed her through the opening. “Get her to them.”
The neighbors rallied together and made a line, gently passing her down the mountainside. By the time Owen climbed out and ran down, they almost reached the ambulance. Instead of taking her to the hospital, a Life Line helicopter waited in the field. They flew to a trauma hospital, and Owen held her hand until they wheeled her into surgery. Leslie never woke up. It felt like he lost her again.
Six hours later, Owen stared at the door, willing the surgeon to walk through it. He felt like he’d go out of his mind if they didn’t tell him something soon.
A hand touched his shoulder, and he peered up to see Cade, Dillon, Elias, Mason, Wyatt, Conner, and Tucker.
“We drove as fast as possible. One of Leslie’s sitters watched the twins. Gunny stayed to hand off the sheriff and his thugs to his FBI contact. Have you heard anything?” Mason asked.
“No. She’s still in surgery,” he said, watching Tucker and Conner. He opened his arms and held them as they cried. No matter what, Owen vowed to keep his family together.
CHAPTER 35
Leslie openedher eyes to find the most marvelous grey ones staring back at her.
“Hi,” Owen whispered with tears in his eyes.
“I dreamed,” she whispered. “I saw your dad on top of the mountain. He told me to come back. My boys needed me.”
“Yes, we do,” he said, moving to show her Conner and Tucker sleeping together on the couch.
“He said to tell you something,” she said softly. “He wanted me to tell you not to waste time.”
Owen swallowed. “As soon as we bust you out of here, we’re getting married. I almost lost you twice. I refuse to lose you again.”
“He told me one other thing,” she said, shifting closer to him. “Forgiving can set you free. And I forgive you,” she said, squeezing his hand. “I want to marry you and raise our boys together.”
Owen pressed his forehead to hers as tears ran down his cheeks. “I vow never to walk away from you ever again. I will always run toward you and our future. We’ll raise those two hooligans as ours. Do you feel up to company? My brothers hung out in the waiting room.”
“I’d love to see them,” she said softly.
A minute later, the Wolfe brothers surrounded her bed.
“Congratulations, Leslie, we hear we’ll have a wedding on the mountain soon.” Cade leaned over and kissed her cheek. One by one, each of them kissed her.
“We waited until you woke to take our final vote. I have to call the lawyer today,” Owen said softly. “We can sell the mountain and be rid of this mess and keep our family safe. Or we can take our mountain back, and Gunny will help us get the resort back up and running. Wyatt and Dillon can fix up the cabins. Elias can handle security. Cade will continue to work and draw business for us, and I’ll run everything. We thought you might like the auditor job. All in favor of selling the mountain, raise your hand,” Owen said.
When no one raised their hand, Leslie held her breath.
“All in favor of keeping our legacy, raise your hand.” All the brothers raised their hands. Tucker shook Conner, and they ran to the bed with their hands high in the air.
“We only need one more vote,” Owen said, gazing at Leslie. “Do you want to join our pack?”
Leslie peered at the men, smiling sleepily. Her gaze fell on Owen, who waited anxiously. Staying on the mountain meant they’d have to stay vigilant until they caught Jeremiah’s murderer. It meant healing the wounds of these broken men she’d grown up with. Peering at Conner and Tucker, she knew they’d grow up together and experience everything the men knew about their legacy. Most importantly, she recalled Jeremiah’s last words before she felt herself slip back into the darkness.“Take care of them, Leslie. Teach them to laugh and love again. Give them a second chance as you did me.
She slowly raised her head and howled.
EPILOGUE
Six months later,Owen carried Leslie into the water of their family pond. Tucker and Conner swung from the rope, splashing in glee. Cade grilled burgers on a portable grill while Dillon set the table.
