Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
“You saved us. All of you.”
“Would have given it all. All of us for any one of you.”
“Because you are incredible, amazing men. Through and through. And I’m honored to be a part of this world. Of who you are. Now, we can only make sure that from here on out it’s you and me together.”
“Is that what you want?” The words went deep. “You and me together?”
“Pretty sure this ring on my finger confirms that.” Soggy affection filled her voice as she brought attention to my mother’s ring.
My spirit both moaned and danced.
Knew the joy it would bring my mother. Knowing I was with Daisy. That we’d come to this after so much tragedy had been strewn between us.
“That’s good because I’m pretty sure if you tried to leave me, I’d only chase after you.”
“Hmm…kind of makes me want to run just to see what that might look like once you caught up to me.” She’d gone coy. Purely a tease.
A low growl worked its way free, though still, it was laden with affection. “Don’t test me, woman.”
Daisy giggled. “Don’t worry. If I’m running, it’ll just be to our room.”
“Now I like the sound of that.”
“What, me whimpering your name?” Loved when she got bold. When my Little Wallflower knew she didn’t need to be shy.
“That’s right. Way it was always supposed to be.” I paused to find the right words. “I was so scared of what you asked me to do, Daisy. So scared of the thought of caring for your kids. Terrified of it. Now it’s the only thing I want to do. Together, with you.”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, then a tender smile filled her face when Colin’s voice rose from downstairs, where he and the rest of the kids were playing with Nolan.
Charleigh and River offering Raven’s old room for us to stay in while Daisy recuperated and we figured out a new place to stay.
“I love them, Daisy, and I love you, and I promise I’m going to spend the rest of my life protecting that.”
“Together,” she whispered.
“That’s right. Together.”
I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips, the word rumbling between us as I moaned, “Bliss. Being with you is nothing but bliss, Daisy Cunningham.”
And we were no longer on the brink of it.
It was here.
Whole and thriving between us.
She held me by both sides of the face, making that kiss go on forever.
Then she pulled away and glanced at the tray I brought up. She hooked me a coy grin.
“Now are you going to share those with me or what?”
A chuckle got free as I reached for the tray and settled it on her lap.
A steaming cup of tea and a box of Red Vines.
I ripped it open and pulled one out, holding it up to her lips. “You are the only person I’ve ever wanted to share these with. Only person I ever wanted to share my life with. Everything I have and everything I am is yours, Little Wallflower.”
She reached out and settled her palm over the thunder at the center of my chest. “No more broken hearts.”
I grabbed her fingers and kissed across the tips. “No more broken hearts.”
EPILOGUES
Daisy
“I bet it’s the coolest and like a castle.”
“Are you excited, Mom?”
“I can’t wait so bad my tummy’s got butterfwies!”
The riot of little voices echoed from the backseat as we bounced down the narrow lane beneath the cover of the trees. Their branches stretched overhead sent blips of sunlight splashing down and hitting against the windshield as the SUV was jostled back and forth by the rugged terrain.
The windows were down, and the cool breeze whipped through and stirred my hair into disorder.
I glanced to my left. At Cash at the wheel. A tattooed arm stretched out and the other rested on the door, a single hand guiding the wheel almost casually. So dang beautiful with his big body filling up the space with all that ferocity, the sight of him forever making my belly quiver.
Only there was an easy grin on his face. Hazel eyes alight as he peeked over at me in anticipation.
“Yeah, Mom, are you excited?” he urged with that smile playing all over his ridiculously handsome face.
“Um, maybe a tiny scoosh.” I pinched my thumb and index finger together.
“A scoosh, huh?” Mischief danced through his features. “That’s it?”
I hiked an indifferent shoulder, as if this wasn’t one of the most momentous days of our lives.
“No biggie?” he pressed.
I bit down on the inside of my cheek, trying to keep myself from squealing and stamping my feet in excitement.
Cash reached out and clamped his hand over the top of my thigh.
That was all it took for me to break, and I tipped my head back with a gleeful giggle as he dug his fingers into my thigh. “Oh my gosh, Cash, stop. That tickles so bad,” I gasped and choked through the boisterous laughter.