Page 107 of Wilde Hearts

“I think that life dealt us the cards it did because we needed them.”

His brows shot up.

“If you had stayed and asked me to marry you, I would’ve said yes, and we would have gotten married super young. I might not have built up my business as much as I have, and you wouldn’t have experienced so much and built the life you did over the last ten years. I’m not blind; I can see you’re not struggling for money, Colt. The private jet? The beautiful hotel? Getting your parents out of debt.” I shrugged. “The last ten years have also brought pain, I won’t lie about that. Confusion and a lot of anger.”

Colt looked down and kicked at the snow.

I reached out and took his gloved hand in mine. “But I’m the type of person who believes that everything happens in life for a reason. We were put on a journey that separated us, but destiny brought us back together. She answered questions we both had, and put some of that pain and guilt to rest.”

“And if you’re pregnant?”

Smiling, I replied, “Then we deal with that if it happens. I don’t think it means we have to run off and get married.”

“I do want to marry you, Pip.”

“And I want to marry you. I want to build a future with you. I want us to be a team.”

He drew me forward and kissed me. When he pulled back, his eyes were filled with light once more, and he wore a warm smile. “I like the sound of that.”

I motioned back to the trail. “Let’s go to the lower section, I want to see the waterfalls up close.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

We hiked down the half-mile trail to the lower part of the falls. It was amazing to see frozen water on top with water rushing behind it. It fell into a crystal-clear blue pool that honestly left me breathless. The vista surrounding us was unlike anything I had ever seen, and I grew up in what I’d thought was the most beautiful place on Earth.

Colt stood beside me, his eyes roaming the frozen falls.

Clearing my throat, I said, “There’s a quote my mother used to always say to Emeline and me. It’s a Stevie Nicks quote.”

Colt chuckled. “Why am I not surprised. What is it?”

“I am here because all my plans failed. Don’t be afraid to do something unconventional.”

He nodded. “I remember hearing her say that before.”

Facing him, I bit my lower lip. “Ask me.”

The corner of his mouth twitched, and he did a good job at not smiling, even though I knew he wanted to. “Ask you what?”

I raised a brow, and in return, a wide smile erupted across his handsome face.

“Do you wonder why neither of us settled down with anyone else?”

“Is that what you wanted me to ask?”

Folding my arms over my chest, the best I could in my thick jacket, I said, “No, but it popped into my head.”

He shrugged. “I don’t have to wonder. I know why I never did.”

Amused, I replied, “Do tell.”

“Because I love you. I always have and I always will. I couldn’t have moved on if I wanted to. You’ve always owned my heart, Ensley, and I don’t think that’s ever going to change.”

Nodding, I replied, “Same.”

He pulled off his glove. “The thing I’ve always loved most about you, Ensley Wilde, is that you live up to your last name. Not in a crazy way.” Screwing up his face, he went on. “Well, maybe you did do a few wild things in your youth.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.