Roan slid open the door and ushered me out onto the balcony, shutting it behind us.
I instinctively moved toward the railing, wanting to take it all in.
“This is where I first saw you.”
I looked up at the sound of Roan’s voice, right into those beautiful blue eyes.
“It was just a flash of red.” His lips twitched. “I was annoyed at first. I never saw the old guy who lived there before you. It was like I had this whole mountainside to myself.”
My mouth curved.
“But then I saw your kindness. The animals you added, one after another. How patient you were with your daughter. At times, I swore a light shone straight out of you.”
My heart jerked in my chest as my breaths came quicker.
“You were the light in the shadows. A glimmer of hope when I felt like all mine had been burned out. I think maybe I loved you even then.”
My lips parted with a sharp inhale. “You love me?”
Roan wrapped his arms around me. “With every ounce of my being. Didn’t think it was possible. Didn’t think I was capable. I know I won’t do it exactly right—”
I pressed a hand to his chest. “You do it perfectly.”
Those blue eyes shone. “I love you, Tender Heart. That’s never going to end.”
“I love you, too.” My voice broke on the words. “Never thought I’d get this. You’ve given me everything. Safety. Acceptance. A family.”
“You gonna give me something in return?” Roan asked.
“Anything.”
He inclined his head over the balcony. My gaze followed, and the tears were instant. Everyone we loved was out in my drive, holding up a massive handmade banner. Each letter had been painted and decorated, most likely by Cady and Charlie.
MARRY ME?
My gaze shot back to Roan’s, tears spilling over. “You wanna marry me?”
“I want to be yours in every way I can. Want to be your husband. Father to Cady and any babies you’ll give me. Everything you’ll let me be.”
“Yes,” I whispered. A single syllable, not nearly enough for what I wanted to say, but all I could get out.
He slid a diamond band onto my finger. It looked like glittering leaves woven together. The most perfect ring for me. One that wouldn’t bang up against things as I worked with the animals or at the café. One that reminded me of the peace we’d both found in the nature around us. One that was a blend of him and me.
I stretched up onto my tiptoes, my mouth hovering over his. “You already are everything to me.”
53
ROAN
ONE MONTH LATER
“Mama,” a little voice whispered on the other side of the bed.
Cady was trying to be quiet, I’d give her that. But it was more of a whisper-shout, her excitement bleeding into her voice.
“Mmm,” Aspen mumbled, pressing her backside into me as she shifted.
I fought the urge to groan at the sensation. I mentally recited SAR procedures in my head.
“I gots to show you something,” Cady whispered louder.
I squinted against the early morning light filtering in through the bedroom windows. “What’s going on?” I grumbled.
“We gots to go,” Cady urged.
“The wedding isn’t for hours, Tiny Dancer.”
She bounced on her tiptoes, a ballerina through and through. “Not the wedding. Something else. You have to see.”
“You can keep sleeping,” Aspen told me as she sat up.
I blinked a few times, shoving up against the pillows. “No, I’m up.”
Movement caught my eye, and I tried to shift, but it was too late.
Pirate launched herself from her spot on our dresser and onto my damned head. Her claws dug into my hair and scalp. I spit out some words I really hoped Cady didn’t remember.
“Demon cat,” I growled as I pulled the thing off me.
She swiped at my nose.
“Shit!”
Then the damned cat headbutted my chin and started purring.
Cady and Aspen promptly burst out laughing.
“See, she loves you, Mr. Grizz,” Cady chirped.
I stood, setting the cat on the bed. “Well, her love’s toxic.”
Aspen stifled another giggle and turned to Cady. “What did you want to show us?”
Her eyes brightened. “Come on!”
Aspen grabbed my robe as I picked up a sweatshirt.
“I can’t believe she’s up. She didn’t fall asleep until after ten,” I mumbled as we followed her out the door.
Aspen shrugged. “Big day. She’s excited.”