Page 108 of York

“I hear congratulations are in order for you, too. Finally got Lula to give you a chance.”

“How could she not? I’m a catch.”

“We’re going to go settle into one of the ten extra bedrooms this place has to offer,” Colter declared. “We can regroup in the morning. Go take care of Runa. She’s going through it.”

With that, they made their way out of the kitchen, and I walked back outside, immediately hearing the far-off howl of coyote pups.

“Hey, baby,” I said, dropping down in the Adirondack chair beside her and reaching for her hand.

“Is Denny asleep?” Those were the first words she’d voluntarily said in hours.

“Out like a light. Talk to me. It’s been a rough day.”

“I don’t know what to say. I’m a little… numb.”

“That’s not unusual. You almost died today.”

“All I could think about was Denny. And you. I knew I had to win that fight to get back to you.”

“Denali is a powerful motivator.”

She glanced over. “And you. I didn’t want to die without telling you…”

“Telling me what?” I prompted when she trailed off.

Her gaze flicked up to my face, and the look there was so intense it made that stitch start in my chest again.

“That I think I love you.”

“Yeah?” I asked, squeezing her hand. “That’s good. Because I know I love you.”

Her hand squeezed mine back.

“What now then?” she asked, glancing all around the ranch, then back at me.

“Anything you want.”

“We,” she clarified. “Whatever we want.”

“And what do we want tonight?”

“For you to hold me.”

“That,” I said, reaching to pull her until she curled up on my lap, “I can do.”

She snuggled into me as the wind kicked, making the campfire scent surround us.

The bad guy was gone.

Our daughter was safe and peacefully sleeping upstairs.

And I had the woman I loved in my arms.

I couldn’t want for anything else.

Runa - 3 days

I was in a bit of a daze for the first two days after the confrontation with Sonny. It was like being on autopilot. I was aware of doing things: getting showered, dressed, interacting with the people in the house, spending time with Denali, but it was like it was happening outside of me.