Anticipation.
Yearning.
Intent.
“I can’t wait.”
We finished our ice cream and then drove back to my house, the trees shifting in the deepening night, the stars twinkling to life.
Trent grabbed their bags, and I unlocked the door, and we piled inside.
We planned to stay here temporarily.
Or maybe forever.
Because these walls no longer felt like loneliness.
They no longer echoed with the vacancy.
And I prayed, here in this little place, we’d find peace.
Gage went racing for his room, and I helped him put away his things and get ready for bed.
I knelt beside that bed, my heart pressing full against my ribs as I read him a story.
As the dreams I’d once had bloomed.
Blossomed in the most beautiful way.
He grinned that dimpled grin, kissed my nose before he reached out and touched the bracelet on my wrist. “I love you to the highest mountain in the world, Miss Murphy.”
“And I love you all the way back.”
Trent tucked him in, kissed his temple, and tickled him a little before he moved away and flicked off the light.
Then he took my hand, led me to my room, and over to my bed.
This menacing, intimidating man with the biggest heart.
He laid us down and curled the strength of those arms around me.
I propped myself on my elbow so I could look down at him.
At the fierce lines and unforgettable angles.
This man who’d changed everything.
Tongue darting out to lick across his plush lips, he tucked the lock of hair that fell against my face behind my ear. “Can’t believe I’m here with you. After everything. You’re amazing, Eden. Hope you know it’s grace I see when I look at you.”
My chest squeezed.
“I love you…more than you could know.”
“If it’s a fraction as much as I love you, then it’s more than enough.” He grinned a soft grin. One that twisted through my insides and sent need drumming in my veins.
“Hmm…good thing I love you to the highest mountain.” A smile played around my lips as I let go of the tease.
Affection flooded Trent’s face.
Adoration.
“We do this family thing together, yeah?”
I nodded, sucking my bottom lip between my teeth. Warmth flooding fast. “I’ll never think of him as anything but my own.”
The wings on the owl bobbed and danced as he swallowed deep. “Never could have imagined we’d get a gift like you. Good thing you’re stubborn.”
I feigned a gasp. “Stubborn? Me?”
“Refusing to leave without an interview. Fierce little kitten.”
I let my fingertips play along his jaw. “I’m pretty sure had I left you would have come prowling after me.”
“Probably so. Saw you sitting in that booth and knew you were nothing but trouble. Wanted you the second I saw you.”
A hand spread across my bottom.
I suppressed a moan and a giggle, whispered, “Is that all you want me for, this body?”
“No, Eden. I want this kind heart and this quick mind. I want this sweet soul and your devoted spirit.”
Love rushed.
Ran and overflowed.
The man a dark sea where I’d be glad to drown.
I yelped in surprise when he suddenly flipped me and pinned me to the bed, nothing but a wicked, lustful grin looking down on me.
“Of course, I’ll take this tight, little body of yours, too.”
“Good thing because it’s yours.”
His smile softened, and he pressed a tender kiss to my lips, whispered, “Oh, Kitten, we’re gonna have so much fun.”
Epilogues
Eden
Rays of afternoon light streaked from the sun-kissed sky, the heavens the bluest blue. It wrapped our mountain town in a warmth that chased away the cool breeze that blew through the towering pines and oaks.
Lifting my face to it, I inhaled and drew the crisp air into my lungs. Appreciating it all.
The love.
The joy.
The hope.
I couldn’t believe an entire school year had passed since Gage had sat in the front row at his desk.
The little boy who’d stolen my heart with a glance.
I guessed that was about all it’d taken for his dad to steal mine, too.
The days and months had gone by in a blur that I cherished. So thankful for what we’d been given. For what we’d found.
Even though there’d been so much grief finding our way here.
Most of the money Harmony had taken had been recovered, and the school and my father’s home were safe and secure.
There was a huge amount of peace in that, although my daddy was still struggling to find it.
I prayed that one day he would. That he would find his own happiness. A way for his heart to beat again. To spark to life the way mine had.
Squeals of joy rang out, and I returned my attention to the playground where my kindergarten class ran and played on the last day of school.
Gage was out there, playing with the other children, his hands moving almost as wildly as his mouth as he told some animated story.
I tried to hide my grin when Tessa came sauntering my way. She leaned close to my ear and whispered like it was a horrible secret. “Someone looks like she ate too much cake.”