“I’ll tell you the story.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “But I don’t want to talk about that now. All that matters is here and now. Us.”
Her wide eyes pinned him, searching his soul. “But are you okay?”
“I’m fucking ecstatic because you’re here.” He smiled. “I’m not familiar with the emotion, but if you let me, I’ll love you with all of my heart, mind, body, soul, and life. And even after that, I’ll keep on loving you, darling. I swear it. I love you so damn much, Maggie. So. Damn. Much.”
Her eyes widened. “You…you’re…I…”
“It’s okay. I know it’s quick and all.” He laughed and kissed her. “You don’t have to say anything back. I’ll wait. I’m a patient man.”
“But—” She shook her head and slowly, beautifully, a smile spread across her face. “I love you, too.”
He froze. “You do?”
“I do.”
“Well, shit.” He laughed and kissed her, keeping it short. “That officially makes me the happiest guy on earth. Where’s my trophy?” He cupped the back of her neck. “Oh. Right. She’s here, in my arms already.” He lowered her face to his, stopping just short of kissing her. “Say it again, darling.”
She fisted his tux, her breath hitching in her throat. “I love you, Benji.”
“I love you, too.”
Unable to resist, the happiness practically bursting out of him, he pulled her down for a passionate, long, deep kiss. And he never wanted to stop. But then the limo did.
He picked her up and set her down, straightening her dress over her thighs. “You good, darling?”
“Y-Yeah.” Maggie watched him, smoothing her hair.
“We’re home, aren’t we?”
Home. Such a simple word that held so much meaning. He’d found his home, but it wasn’t in the traditional sense. He’d found it in her. He opened the door and climbed out, offering her his hand. “Yeah. We’re home.”
She slid her fingers into his, grinning as she followed him out. They walked into the building hand-in-hand, and come what may—whatever they might have to face or fight their way through—they could make it.
Together.
Epilogue
Christmas, a year later
South Dakota
Laughter rang out all around the living room’s pale yellow walls, and someone called out bullshit from the dining room, where a rousing game of cards was being waged. If Benjamin had learned anything during his weeklong stay here at Maggie’s farm, it was that her family took competition very seriously.
Even if it was “friendly.”
After the first time he’d beaten her father at cards—and had consequently feared for his life—he decided to avoid those games until he was liked enough not to be shot on the spot for winning. He was already almost there. Her family had greeted him with open arms and warm smiles. It was so foreign. So different. So welcome.
Staring into the crackling fireplace, he shifted his weight on the couch. He’d never been so accepted, so happy, as he’d been this last week, in South Dakota of all places. His “mother” was still a thorn in their sides they did their best to ignore, but being away from her—and all the drama she brought with her—had been paradise.
He almost didn’t want to go back. Life could be good here.
They could take over the farm from her parents and raise a bunch of gorgeous little brown-haired Maggies amidst the crops and the open, never-ending plains. He could be happy here. And so could Maggie.
Someone sat down beside him, and he didn’t need to look to find out who. He’d recognize her scent anywhere. Maggie wrapped her arms around him, resting her cheek on his shoulder. “Whatcha thinking about?”
He held on to her wrists with one hand. The other held on to his beer. His heart picked up speed, because he was actually thinking about this. About walking away from their life in New York, and his company, and becoming a fucking farmer. “Have you ever thought about moving back out here?”
“Yeah, sometimes. I mean, it’s my home. Of course I think about it.” She stiffened. “Why? What’s wrong?”