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I don’t kneel.

She wouldn’t expect me to.

“Marry me, librarian.”

Her lips twitch. “Is that a question?”

“No.”

“Still bossy.”

“Still mine.”

“You know that’s not legally binding.”

“I’ll get paperwork.”

She laughs. Then her expression softens. “Yes.”

My chest tightens. “Yeah?”

“Yes, Ryder.”

I slide the ring onto her finger.

It’s perfect. Just like her. Like us.

I spent three weeks making sure.

She throws her arms around my neck and I kiss her.

Someone honks from the road.

Mrs. Patterson drives past.

I lift a hand.

She shakes her head.

Clara starts laughing against my mouth.

“I love you,” she whispers.

“I love you too.”

I look at the house behind her.

Six months ago, I came back to Devil’s Peak because my father died.

The plan was simple.

Handle the estate.

Get the Indian.

Get the fuck out.

Instead, a librarian bought me.