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“Sounds good to me.” I kiss the top of her head and close my eyes, soaking in every moment with this woman.

It’s hard to believe that, not too long ago, we were complete strangers, because now I can’t imagine my life without her.

Which reminds me a lot about my new relationship with God.

I spent my entire life not knowing who He was, until Sadie introduced me to His truth. And now, I know that a life without Him is completely meaningless.

The rest of my days, I will praise the Lord, thanking Him for all He has done for me, and for bringing this beautiful woman into my life.

Because she changed everything.

EPILOGUE: SADIE: SIX MONTHS LATER

“Okay, that is perfect!” I exclaim as Maverick finishes sliding the last of my belongings into place.

When Bella called me out of the blue last month, I didn’t have any idea what to expect. It had been awkward at first, but we’d ended on good terms, and she’d let me know that she found a storage unit Darren had rented in secret.

Inside it, she’d found everything he’d taken from me. Including my mom’s recipe book.

Maverick and I made the trip to go through it. Then he rented a moving truck, and we drove everything back here. It’s been a process to put it all away, but he’s been with me every step of the way.

Having it all here has brought me so much comfort, even if I really do miss sleeping only a few feet away from the man in front of me.

He crosses over toward me and gathers me into his arms. His lips find mine as he sets me on top of the table, then moves in close, before kissing me until we’re both breathless. Heart pounding, I wind both arms around his neck and sink into him completely.

The love I feel for this man has only grown in the time we’ve been together. So much so that I’ve been dropping some hints that I would really like to talk about forever.

“What was that for?” I ask. “You’re doing all the heavy lifting. It should be me kissing you.”

“I won’t say no to that,” he replies with a lopsided grin.

“Maverick Fargo, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

He kisses me again, then pulls away and sinks down to one knee. I stare down at him, eyes wide, heart pounding.

Is this happening? Really? Is he tying his shoe? Wait, he’s wearing boots—there are no laces.

“Mav?”

“Marry me, Sadie,” he says as he reaches into his pocket and withdraws a small black box. He opens it, and inside is the most gorgeous diamond ring. It shimmers beneath the light, a perfect jewel set inside a white gold band.

“Yes.” It’s such a simple word for the emotions warring inside of me, but I literally cannot say anything else. I drop down off the table and throw myself into his arms, knocking us both onto the floor. “Yes!” I squeal.

Maverick rolls me over so I’m on my back, then leans down to kiss me again. “That was quick. I didn’t even have to bring out my speech to convince you.”

I laugh and hold up my hand so he can slide the ring onto my finger. “No speech needed, Maverick. I’ve known from the moment we met that I wanted to spend my life with you.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah.”

“It took me a bit longer,” he jokes. “You know, given I thought you were originally going to rob me. Though I guess you kind of did. Stealing my heart and all.”

Laughing, I reach up and pull him down, taking his lips with mine and wrapping both arms around his neck. He slides one of his arms beneath my back and deepens the kiss.

It stirs my blood, sending desire shooting through me.

Then, too soon, he’s pulling away. “Nope. We need to take a few.” He gets to his feet, then pulls me up with him. “I think I may need to go get a shower. A cold one. Then, we have everyone coming over for the soft opening.”