AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I wait for them to say anything, but before they can, Savage turns me toward him. He holds my hands in his, giving me that genuine, warm smile he reserves only for me.
And then he drops to one knee.
Gasps travel through the room.
Tears spring to my eyes. Is this real?
“Hannah,” Carter says, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing a black velvet box, “Princess. We haven’t been together long, but I have been in love with you for what feels like a lifetime.”
My heart is pounding so hard, I feel like I’m going to pass out.
“I’m not proposing to you because you’re pregnant. I’m proposing to you because I can’t see a future without you by my side, and I don’t want to. I want you to be my woman. I want to protect you. I want to be there by your side as you grow as a person, as I grow, as we become stronger as a couple. Every day I have spent with you has made me realize that life is still worth living.” He opens the ring box. A beautiful diamond ring set in a golden band sits on the cushion inside. The diamond is shaped like a star, and is accented with beautiful red stones. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife, my woman, for the rest of my days?”
Nearby, Belle sniffs and hiccups.
“Yes. Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
Savage lifts me into his arms and buries, his head in my neck, squeezing me to him.
We’re not just together. We’re engaged. We’re going to be married.
Excited hoots and hollers come from my family members. We’re surrounded by arms and pats on the back, and happy laughter moments later. The last person to congratulate us is Cash.
He stands in front of us with his hands tucked into his pockets, scuffing his shoe on the wooden boards. He’s wearing a Stetson today, and he shifts it on his head, blue eyes darting left and right. “Owe you an apology.”
“Who?” Savage asks.
“Both of you. Savage, I’m sorry I doubted you and made you swear not to go near Hannah,” he says. “That wasn’t my place. I thought I was protecting my baby sister, when I should’ve been a better friend to you and helped you work through your shit.”
Savage pats him on the shoulder.
“And Hannah,” Cash says, glancing back at June who gives him an encouraging smile. She’s got her arm around Alex’s shoulders, and the pair of them are gossiping, their blonde heads bowed together. They’re such a mother-daughter duo it makes my ovaries want to explode.
“Hannah,” Cash repeats, and clears his throat. “Shit. Hannah, I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted. I was too overprotective, but it was because I didn’t want to lose you, especially not after what happened with Mom.”
“It’s okay,” I say, and draw him into a hug. “I love you, and I know why you did what you did.”
“So, we’re good?” he asks.
“We’re good.” I kiss my brother on the cheek and then return to Savage’s waiting arms. I can’t keep my hands off him, and his palm pressed to my hip tells me it’s the same for him.
“You two are a match made in heaven,” June sighs.
I look up at him, this beastly man who I believed had no interest in me, who I obsessed over for years. He’s so protective over me, so warm and caring, and determined to do the right thing.
“Mine,” he mouths, brushing my hair back from my cheek.
He kisses me gently on the lips. He claims me as his.
And for the first time in my life, I feel free.
Epilogue
SAVAGE
She’s lying in the hospital bed, her hands resting on the cute green covers, the little bassinet next to her.
I stand at her bedside, watching her sleep, exhaustion sitting in my bones. Her exhaustion and mine. But that fatigue is accompanied by comfort, satisfaction, and a happiness that’s unparalleled.
