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My chest aches as she doesn’t say anything to her father. Dolly pulls her closer, hugging her tightly. I stand from my chair and walk over to her, tucking her into my chest as she shudders with a teary sigh.
Old Harry rises, walking over to the bar cart to serve himself a refill.
“Ya know, you boys always were smart. I told Dixon when you refused that first dose of M-59, I knew you’d never fall for it. He had me in his clutches for a while, but I was biding my time until someone could get evidence to take that fucker down. It’ll be a long road, but I think you’ve got what it takes.”
Pops and Old Harry start bickering like always. Rosie leans against me with a heavy sigh. I lead her downstairs to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of wine and pouring her a generous portion.
“At least it’s over now. He’s gone from your life. He knows that you know.” Dolly rubs her arm, placing the wine I poured in her hands.
Rosie nods with a sad smile. “I’m glad it finally happened. It’s just … it’s strange, I guess, for it to finally be out in the light that he actually went so far, hurting me and my mother so gravely.”
I grip her shoulders, turning her to face me fully. “You have every right to take as long as you need to fully process this in whatever way you need. For now, you’re here with us, no longer in danger. I’m by your side. I’m not going anywhere. No one is getting to you without going through me. You have me; you have us.”
She smiles sleepily up at me. “I know you are. For now, I just want to go lie down with you. Maybe we could watch a movie together? A cheesy Hallmark one?”
I nod, gripping her hand and dragging her behind me toward my bedroom.
Two weeks later, we’re opening Christmas presents under the tree. There’s a fire crackling in the hearth and the smell of a breakfast casserole filling the air.
Rosie is in silky red pajamas that I bought her. I’m dying to get her back to my room.
Our room.
I’ve turned into a sappy little bitch when it comes to her. I’m constantly seeking out her needs to meet them before she even has to ask. I’m worried about her.
After her father was arrested, Rosie was silent and withdrawn for a few days. I can sense that she’s still grieving over the harsh reality that he ordered the kidnapping in an effort to send me back to prison, ruin our cattle sales, and ultimately force Cash and Pops to strike up a deal with him to stay afloat.
Rosie holds up the gold necklace I had made for her. There’s a tiny letter H molded into the chain. She smiles widely and kisses my cheek.
“Baby, it’s perfect. I love it.”
“I don’t expect you to brand yourself with it, but I need my mark on you somehow.”
I’ve learned pretty quickly since finally admitting my feelings for her that I’m an overly possessive son of a bitch when it comes to Rosie. She doesn’t seem to mind.
She turns around and hands me the ends of the chain to hook it around her neck. I fasten it, pressing a kiss to the back of her head before wrapping my arms around hers.
“There’s more. That box is yours too,” I whisper.
“You went way overboard,” she says.
I scoff, handing her the shiny wrapped green box. “I’d better just prepare you now. I intend to spoil the fuck out of you.”
She tears the paper off slowly.
“What are you doing, saving the paper? Rip that shit open!” Dolly chirps.
My siblings and Pops are all lounging around, drinking coffee and talking. We did family gifts first before Rosie and I exchanged ours to each other.
Rosie obliges, tearing it off faster to reveal the box of a brand-new MacBook. She gasps, her eyes shifting up to meet mine.
“Holden … this is too much.”
I shake my head. “Nonsense. You need a computer for your homework assignments. You’re the ranch nurse.”
She clutches it to her chest, grinning up at me. Her eyes are watery as she looks around the room, at all of us, her new family.
Duke clutches his leg dramatically. “Nurse! Nurse! I’m wounded! Take me to the room and nurse me back to health!”
