“Thank you for taking care of my daughter when I didn’t.”
Dutton places his hand in my dad’s. “I’ll be here for her for as long as she lets me.”
Dad sighs. “Sounds like that could be forever.”
“I sure hope so,” Dutton says.
I lean more into his side and rest my head on his chest.
“Well, I’m off to get more statements. See you both later.”
As soon as my father walks off, Dutton grabs my hand and pulls me to the front doors.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Home.”
Home.
I like the way he says it.
We exit the doors and Dutton stops.
“Holy shit.”
“What?”
“I’m pretty sure I quit my job before all of that went down.”
“What? Really?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sure if you want to keep working here, Grace will hire you back.”
“Yeah, that’s the thing. I don’t think I do.”
Oh wow, this is huge for him. All of this between us started because he wanted to own the lodge. But I guess it was to protect his family, and now that the secret's out. What does that mean?
“What do you want to do now?” I ask.
He looks at me and smirks.
“I want to hear you say it again.”
“Say what?”
“Say you love me.”
I wrap my arms around his midsection and give him my best smile.
“I love you, Dutton Richford.”
His lips find mine and although there might be things we still need to figure out, one thing is for absolute certain. The two of us are meant to be together. Forever.
I pull back with a gasp.
“Well, since you're pretty well stuck with me, I have an idea.”
