"Harlan," I sob, the word breaking free as tears pour down my face. The rope around my wrists feels tighter now, but I don’t care. He’s here. My grumpy cowboy mountain man came for me.
Harlan drops to his knees in front of my chair, his rough hands gentle as they work the knots loose. The feel of his callused fingers brushing my skin sends sparks through me even now, that familiar charged chemistry flaring bright between us. The rope falls away and I throw myself into his arms, burying my face in his neck. He smells like blood and sweat and pine and home. His good arm wraps around me tight, pulling me against his solid chest where I can feel his heartbeat thundering strong and steady.
"I’ve got you, sunshine," he murmurs into my hair, his voice thick with emotion. "I’ve got you. It’s over."
I cling to him, sobbing against his flannel as the scent of him fills my lungs. His body’s warm despite the injury, solid and real. I can feel the slight tremble in his muscles from pain and relief, but he holds me like I’m the most precious thing in the world. The room around us fades. Derek's shouts as they drag him away become distant noise. All that matters is Harlan's arms, his breath warm against my ear, his hand stroking my back in slow soothing circles.
"You’re alive," I whisper, my voice muffled against his chest. "I was so scared. I thought... I thought I lost you. The blood in the snow... it was everywhere."
He pulls back just enough to cup my face with both hands, his thumbs brushing away my tears. His touch is rough but tender,his dark eyes blazing with that protective fire I fell in love with. "Took more than one bullet to keep me from you, baby. I promised I would keep you safe. I meant it."
I rise up on my knees and kiss him right there on the dirty hotel floor, pouring every ounce of fear and love and relief into it. His mouth tastes like salt and determination, his stubble scraping my chin in that delicious way that always makes me shiver. The kiss is deep and charged, full of the on-fire chemistry that has burned between us since the beginning. His good hand threads into my hair, tilting my head so he can claim me completely, and I melt against him like I always do.
When we finally pull apart, both breathing hard, the room has cleared somewhat. Silas stands nearby, giving us space but nodding with satisfaction. "Derek’s in custody. He won’t bother you again."
Harlan helps me to my feet, his arm staying wrapped securely around my waist. My legs feel shaky, but with him beside me I feel steady. The men of Haven 7 surround us, their rugged faces warm with relief and brotherhood. Boyd claps Harlan on his good shoulder gently. Wyatt gives me a small smile. They all came for me. For us. This incredible found family on Wedding Cake Mountain.
We step out of the horrible little hotel into the cold night air. Snow falls softly now, gentle flakes catching in my hair and on Harlan's lashes. The parking lot lights glow orange, reflecting off the fresh powder. Sirens fade into the distance as they take Derek away. I lean into Harlan's side, breathing in the clean mountain scent mixed with his familiar warmth. My cheek presses against his uninjured side, feeling the steady thump of his heart.
"Take me home, Daddy," I whisper, looking up at him with all the quirky sunshine I can muster through the tears. "Back to our cabin. To Haven 7. To pancakes and horses and forever with you."
He stops right there in the snow, turning me to face him fully. His rugged face softens in the glow of the lights, pain and love mixing in his eyes. "You’re home, Sunny. Right here with me. I love you, sunshine. More than I knew I could love anyone. You brought light into this grumpy life of mine and I am never letting you go."
I rise up on my toes and kiss him again, slow and sweet this time, under the falling snow with the men of Haven 7 watching over us like the family they are. His lips are warm, his arms strong around me despite the injury. The world feels right again. The fear melts away with every brush of his mouth against mine, replaced by that sparkling romcom joy that fills my chest until I think I might burst.
The ride back up the mountain in one of the trucks is quiet and perfect. I sit pressed against Harlan's good side, his arm around me, my head on his shoulder. The truck heater blows warm air that smells faintly of coffee and leather. Outside the windows, the snow-covered trees pass by like a beautiful dream. I trace patterns on his thigh with my fingers, feeling the solid muscle beneath the denim, grounding myself in the reality that he’s here and safe and mine.
When we finally pull up to the cabin, the lights are on inside, warm and welcoming. The men help us inside, but soon it’s just us again. Harlan sinks onto the couch with a groan, pulling me into his lap carefully. I curl against him, careful of his shoulder, breathing in his scent and listening to the steady beat of his heart.
"I was so scared," I admit softly, my fingers playing with the buttons on his flannel. "Seeing you fall like that. The blood. I thought I lost my Daddy. The one who makes me feel safe and loved and wanted for the first time ever."
He tilts my chin up, his dark eyes intense even through the pain. "You’ll never lose me, sunshine. I’m right here. Your grumpy cowboy. Your Daddy. And I’m going to spend every day proving it to you. Breakfast in bed. Rides in the field. Nights where I hold you close and remind you exactly who you belong to."
I kiss him again, slow and deep, my hands sliding under his shirt to feel the warm skin of his chest. The chemistry between us sparks instantly, that on-fire pull that never fades. Even injured, he responds, his good hand gripping my hip possessively. We do not go further tonight. He needs rest and I need to hold him. But the promise is there in every touch, every whispered word.
Later, as we lie in bed together under the heavy quilts, his body curled protectively around mine despite the bandage, I feel truly at peace. The mountain wind whispers outside, but inside it’s warm and safe. Harlan's breath is steady against my hair. His hand rests on my stomach, thumb stroking slow circles like he can’t stop touching me.
"I love you," I whisper into the dark. "Thank you for coming for me. For being my hero. My Daddy. My everything."
He presses a kiss to my temple, his voice rough and full of love. "Love you more, sunshine. This is our forever. Right here at Haven 7. You and me and the life we are going to build."
I fall asleep with a smile on my face, wrapped in the arms of the man who turned my running into staying. The grumpy cowboywho became my safe place. The Daddy I never knew I needed but can’t live without.
The next morning brings soft sunlight through the windows and the smell of coffee brewing. Harlan insists on making breakfast despite his injury, moving slowly but determined. I help where I can, stealing kisses between flipping grilled cheese and sipping tomato soup. The family from Haven 7 stops by throughout the day, bringing food and well wishes and that warm sense of belonging I craved for so long.
Derek’s gone. Locked away where he can’t hurt me anymore. And in his place is this beautiful life. Rides with Harlan through snowy fields. Laughter at the main lodge dinners. Quiet nights where he holds me and whispers dirty sweet things that make me blush and call him Daddy until I’m breathless.
Weeks turn into months, and our love only grows stronger. Harlan's shoulder heals. We ride together every week, side by side, planning our future. One perfect day he gets down on one knee in the same field where everything almost ended, snow sparkling around us, and asks me to be his wife. I say yes with happy tears and the biggest smile, throwing myself into his arms.
Our wedding at Haven 7 is everything a romcom girl could dream of. Fairy lights in the trees. All our found family gathered close. Harlan in a crisp shirt looking rugged and handsome. Me in a simple white dress that makes his eyes darken with that familiar want. When he kisses me at the end, the chemistry between us flares so bright I swear the whole mountain feels it.
We build our life together. Horses in the barn. Babies with his strength and my sunshine smile. Lazy mornings and passionatenights where he still calls me his good girl and I melt every single time.
I never have to run again. I’ve found my home. My Daddy. My happily ever after on Wedding Cake Mountain with the grumpiest, most loving cowboy in the world.
And it’s more perfect than any romcom I could’ve imagined.
EPILOGUE
