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“Nah. But I am going with him. We have some unfinished business to take care of.”
“Kissy face stuff.” Gavin joined the conversation and made obnoxious smooching sounds.
“You two are too much. Maybe that’s why I want to ride with Malachi. To get away from you.” She wanted to know what happened next. His kiss seemed to indicate that he was serious about her, but she needed words. Reassurance.
Gray winked. “I think you two are a good match. He’ll do right by you.”
“You’re giving him the Grayson Garrison stamp of approval?” She tapped her foot. “There must be something wrong with him. I thought he was okay, but if you like him…”
Malachi returned and gave her brothers a nod. “Looks like it’s running, but if you wouldn’t mind following us in case it stalls out, that’d be great.”
“That oughta keep you two from pulling over for a make-out session.” Gavin chuckled at his own joke.
Malachi rolled his eyes then laced his fingers through hers. “Your brothers are something else.”
She smiled. “Yes. They certainly are. But I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sunlight flooded through the windshield, warming the interior. A welcome change after the overcast and rainy morning. He was just glad the snow never materialized. The drive back to the park office didn’t take nearly enough time. He needed time with Cate. Preferably a lifetime, but that was something he wasn’t quite ready to share with her yet. However, they did need to talk about the future and their roles in each other’s lives. It was too soon to talk about marriage. Even though the idea kept beating him over the head like a baseball bat. But Cate deserved a proper courtship, and he would give her one.
He reached for her left hand as she was pulling the door handle with her right. “You mind hanging out in the truck for a few more minutes?”
Her smile was answer enough. “I’d stay here with you all day, but you know we’ll only have a few minutes before my brothers start knocking on the windows.”
“I don’t doubt that.” He groaned. “Your brothers aren’t going to leave you here. We may not get any more time alone today.”
She frowned. “Those creeps stole the keys to my work truck along with everything else in my backpack, including my identification, so I will need to get a ride from them. I’m going to have a few days of fun ahead of me getting all that sorted out. I also have to check on Penny. I’m sure my landlady noticed my absence and took care of her, but I need that assurance.”
“Yeah. I left Becky with Titan and Pixie, but I think Gavin’s wife is still at my house, so I’m sure she took care of them when my mother split.”
“I’m certain you’re right. She’s a park ranger, you know? Just like you. Definite animal lover. And excellent sister-in-law.”
Malachi chuckled. “Good to know.” He threaded his fingers with hers.
The air thickened between them, and the desire to tell her how he felt about her burned strong. “So?”
Silence hung between them until she squeezed his hand. “You’re asking what now?”
“Exactly. Where do we go from here?”
“I’m all in if you are.”
“I am.” She stared at their joined hands, and he lifted them to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. “I can work from anywhere in the state. Maybe I can get a place near here for now,” she said.
He nodded. “Or I could transfer to a state park closer to you.”
A smile tipped her lips up. “You would do that?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes, Cate. I love you.”
“You do?”
He cupped her chin and kissed her gently. “I do.”
“I love you, too.” She slid closer on the seat and rested her head against his shoulder.
His heart felt full. The woman he’d fallen for reciprocated his feelings. Everything he ever wanted was within his grasp. God was good. All the time. And He would work out their future in whatever way brought Him the most glory. Malachi bent down and kissed the top of her head where the sun warmed the golden red strands.
