Hunter (Stud Ranch 2)

Apparently someone had been listening, because the next second, he was handed a cup of water with a straw in it. He immediately held it up to Isobel’s mouth, settling the straw between her lips.

She took a sip, then coughed a little, then took another sip.

She tried talking again. Her voice was still croaky and Hunter could barely make her out when she said, “Yes. My answer is yes.”

“What?” Hunter asked, leaning in to hear her better.

She took another sip of water and then said louder, even though it looked like it was taking all her energy, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Did she really just—

Hunter let out a whoop and almost dumped the water over in his eagerness to kiss her. Then he pulled back and looked at the doctors and nurses still in the room. “Did you hear that? This woman’s gonna be my wife!”

Isobel’s exhausted giggle was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard in his life.

Epilogue

LIAM

Liam’s leg bounced up and down while the pastor droned on and on and on. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, yada yada. He had to scoff at that last one though. All the people who’d ever loved him had certainly only been in it for the riches.

Hunter had loved Isobel before he knew he was getting a half billion-dollar payday out of the deal, so they might be all right. Liam had tried to get her to write up a prenup but she wouldn’t have it. Half a billion was chump change to him but he’d seen people lose their shit over far less.

“I do,” Isobel said, beaming at Hunter.

“It’s just so beautiful,” Reece said from beside Liam, wiping his eyes with a handkerchief.

Jeremiah shook his head at his brother but Liam saw him swipe at his eye when he thought no one was looking.

Liam smirked at them. They were a good bunch. Well, except for Mackenzie. That guy was just an asshole. But the others... Liam glanced down the row at the twins and Nicholas. Xavier and Mel were sitting a row ahead of them with their sons—all three of them. The baby was napping quietly in Xavier’s arms.

Liam had never really had friends like this before. People who were nice to him, just, well, for him. The only ones who knew who he was or how much he was worth were the Kents and somehow, Mack. He had no idea how the fucker had found out. He was sure neither Xavier or Mel had told him.

After Mack confronted him one night about his ‘hidden identity,’ Liam had done his own digging. Which was when he found out Mack had done hard time. An eight year sentence for attempted manslaughter.

Did the Kents know who exactly they had under their roof, hanging around their kids? Apparently they did. Or at least Xavier did. Xavier just waved him off and said not to worry about it when Liam tried to talk to him about it.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Everyone started cheering as Hunter dipped Isobel and planted one on her. It wasn’t a quick peck either. Liam had to tug at his collar because damn. It had been too long since he’d had a warm woman wrapped around him. Far too long.

“There’s a reception after this, eh?” Liam shouldered Jeremiah.

Jeremiah nodded. “At Bubba’s.”

“Classy.”

Jeremiah punched his shoulder and they both got to their feet as the crowd stood up. Isobel and Hunter clasped hands and walked back down the aisle. Liam clapped along with everyone else. Even his cold, sarcastic little heart had to give it to them—those two crazy kids deserved their happy ending.

Liam thought his dad was a piece of work but he was fucking Gandhi compared to the sociopathic shitshow that was Isobel’s stepmom. At least the bitch would be locked up for a while. She made some kind of plea deal so she didn’t get the max sentence but when she got out, she’d be broke, alone, and friendless. Meanwhile Isobel had Hunter and the rest of them. And, ya know, half a billion dollars.

What more could you ask for in a happily ever after? You can bet the media ate that shit up. Liam had flown in his PR guy from Dublin to handle the spin. He was one of the few people Liam actually trusted from back home. Then again, bullshit was the guy’s business, so it was entirely possible he was just bett

er at buttering Liam up than everyone else.

That was the problem with money. You never know who was just begging to be bought. In his experience, everyone had a price.

Everyone.