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Theo stops his ramble to pet the bunny. “Is it okay if I show Grandma all my stuff? Or do you need me? Because I love you most.”
My sweet, sweet boy. With a smile, I reach forward to smooth down some of his blond hair. “I’m feeling so much better, bud. Thank you for worrying about me, but you and Grandma can definitely go have some fun.”
He takes a moment to look at me, really look. His eyes flit over every bruise and bandage, taking it all in as though he doesn’t believe me. Embarrassment flushes my cheeks, and self-loathing for not being able to protect him from this. “Really, Baby. I’m okay.”
And thankfully, Jeremy pops his head through the door with an enormous pink New Moon Bakery box at just the right moment. He leans against the frame, muscles flexing under a white t-shirt. His blond hair is windswept, and my pussy flutters just from looking at him. “Theo and I grabbed some donuts. He picked all your favorites,” he says with a grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. But when he spots my mother, he immediately reaches out to greet her and formally introduces himself.
“Well, it is so nice to meet you, Jeremy,” she says, her eyes twinkling as they flit between the two of us. “I’ve heard so much about you. Thank you for being here for my girl.” Her easy acceptance of him means everything, and excitement races through me. Maybe we can all be a family.
They chat for a few minutes before my mom excuses herself to spend some time with her grandbaby. Leaving me with the man who has quickly stolen my heart. The second they head down the hallway to eat some donuts at the table, he strides toward the bed.
Reaching my arms up, I welcome him for a big hug. His lips press against mine, and the scent of pine and spice surrounds me. Inhaling deeply, I breathe him in before deepening the kiss. I freefall, my heart tumbling and landing right at his feet.
“So, my mom mentioned packing…” I start and his body becomes rigid, taut with tension. “But I was wondering…”
He reaches up, cupping my face as though it’s spun with glass. His thumb grazes my lips, moving back and forth mesmerizingly, and I dart out my tongue to taste the tip. “What were you wondering, Sugar?”
“I was wondering…” I hesitate, worried that my gut is off. That maybe he doesn’t really want us to stay and explore this connection. “If you think maybe we should stay…”
A slow grin crosses his face, wicked and feral—and so fucking hot. “Yeah, Sugar,” he rasps, our breath intertwining. “I think you should stay. Hell, if it’s up to me, I think you should stay forever.”
“Forever?” I gulp, my heart suddenly hammering in my chest. My feelings for this man are so intense. So real. But I don’t trust myself. Love. I feel it, but I’m not ready to admit it… not yet.
“Yeah, Arden. I know you need time. That you’ve been burned before. And there’s no pressure,” he bends down, feathering light kisses across my lips, over my nose, down my neck. “I’ll wait until you’re ready, a month, a day, a year, a lifetime.”
A thrill runs through me. He can’t possibly mean that.
“Oh, I mean it. You and Theo are it for me. All I want in this lifetime and the next.” Wait, did I say that out loud? My mouth opens, closes, and opens again as the options present themselves. And I can see it. Us going to bed together every night, waking up smiling every morning. Fighting … then making up after. Training horses, and exploring the world… having a family.
“Yes,” I puff out.
“Yes?” he says, quirking an eyebrow at me.
“Yes… I want that. All of it. Us. A life together,” I say, and once I break that dam, it bubbles out. “I still need time. But I can see it. You’re mine, too. My forever.”
He hugs me close, big muscular arms wrapping around me. A sense of safety fills me. A year ago, I never could have imagined being happy in a man’s arms. But now… now it feels like a promise. A beginning.
The end of the monsters and the start of…
Happily Ever, Forever.
Epilogue
One Year Later
“Are you sure you’re okay to watch him?” I ask Mrs. Lyons, although now she insists I call her Mama. The beautiful woman just laughs at me, snapping a towel in my direction.
“You get out of here and go on that trail ride. Theo and I have a whole day planned,” she gently scolds me, but the twinkle in her eyes lets me know she isn’t mad. “And your mom will be here to join us soon.”
“Okay. Right. But you’ll call if you need anything? Jeremy has the satellite phone just in case …” A big belly laugh bursts from her. And okay, fine; I’m being ridiculous. But also, this is the first time we’ve ever been apart for a full night. It took Jeremy and both of our mothers to convince me that a night away was alright.
“We’ll call if we need you. Promise. Your baby is safe with me.” She comes forward, wrapping me in an enormous hug. Mama Lyons has become a second grandmother to Theo, spoiling and loving on him as if he were her own. And her love for me has been almost as boundless. She’s an amazing woman, and the way this family’s embraced both of us is nothing short of a miracle. The strength of her arms helps my anxiety quiet, and my muscles relax.
Theo pops his head into the kitchen. “Is it cookie time yet?” he asks with excitement. His eyes narrow on me for a moment, inspecting me. Even a year later, he still checks on me, wise beyond his years. “I’m going to be okay, Mom. You and Jeremy can go. I love hanging with MiMi L and Grandma.”
His calm, happy demeanor helps, and I squeeze Mrs. Lyons before stepping back to hug my son. “Love you to infinity,” I say, kissing him on the head. He hugs me back, then grabs my hand, tugging me toward the door.
Okay, Okay, I get it…
