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“Honey, that doesn’t mean we need to stay here. If you want to move and take your dream job, we’ll go.”
She shook her head. “My dream is right here. My animals, my family, and you. I love you, Liam. I’ve loved you for a long time. Even when you ran from it, even when I was too stubborn to admit that maybe handing over my heart wasn’t such a bad thing. And I have faith that you’re not going to walk away from this.”
“Never going to happen again. I was a fool to go the first time, thinking that success meant land and a fancy office job. None of that matters without you. My parents did it right, Katie. Love comes first. I’m in this forever. You’re mine, Katie.”
“Yes.” She brushed her lips over his in a sweet, gentle kiss.
“And I’m yours, honey.”
Epilogue
KATIE CARRIED THE last of the empty platters inside. They’d gone through all the hotdogs and burgers she’d purchased for the occassion. Yesterday, after weeks in a coma, her brother had finally opened his eyes. Josh was a long way from a full recovery. And the doctors still planned to bring in a specialist. But he would recover. The fear that had been hovering over her family and friends had lifted. Eric and Georgia had stepped forward, offering to host a casual, friends and family barbeque to celebrate.
“I’ve been looking for you.” Liam’s arm snaked around her waist, drawing her back to his front. His mouth nuzzled her neck, trailing soft kisses over her jaw. “Are you heading to the hospital?”
“No. Brody said he’d stop by and check on Josh. I saw him this morning,” she said, leaning against him. “I need to go home. Lena asked if she could stay in the apartment over the barn and I agreed. She wants to give Georgia and Eric some space. With Nate visiting his grandmother, Lena felt as if she might be in the way.”
“You told her where to find the key?” His lips touched her ear.
“I did. But I want to check on her. See if she needs anything.”
“She’ll be fine.”
“I don’t know. I saw Chad talking to her earlier with Hero positioned between them. I turned away for a minute, and when I looked back, my brother was covered in beer. As in someone poured it over his head. And I doubt Lena did that. She wouldn’t get that close. Then the next time I saw Chad, he was with another blonde.”
“Honey, I’m sure Lena survived her run-in with your brother. You can quiz her on the details tomorrow. But tonight,” he said, drawing her earlobe between his teeth, then releasing it. “Tonight, I have other plans for you.”
Her pulse sped up. “Maybe a detour . . .”
“Good.” He released her, leaving her missing the full body contact, and took her hand. “I’ll drive. We can come back for your car in the morning.”
Ten minutes later, Liam steered his truck onto the shoulder of the two-lane road. Even shrouded in darkness, Katie recognized this place—the same spot where he’d found her trying to change her tire.
She climbed out, her eyes adjusting to the dark night. Clouds filled the sky, obscuring the stars. There was just enough moonlight to see Liam grab a sleeping bag and backpack.
“I wasn’t expecting an overnight campout,” she said.
Liam handed her a flashlight. “Surprise.”
With the wide beam illuminating the way, she took his hand and headed through the woods to the familiar clearing.
“I should have waited for a starry night,” he said. “But I wanted to come here one last time with you.”
“Last time, huh?” She watched as he spread out the sleeping bags. He set a second bag down, retrieving a bottle of champagne and two plastic cups.
“Yeah. I listed the place for sale, back when I thought you were leaving. I started making plans, hoping you’d still want me to go with you.” He popped the cork and filled the cups. “Here.”
She took it and found a spot on one of the sleeping bags. “Giving up on your dream?”
“Rewriting it.” Liam smiled and sat beside her. “Someone made an offer. It was more than I expected so I took it.”
“Any regrets now that we’re staying?”
He reached out, cupping her jaw, running his thumb over her cheek. “No. We’ll find something else. A place that’s ours, and build our dream home. A barn for your animals. Horses, goats, hogs, whatever you want.”
“Sounds perfect,” she said, turning her mouth and kissing the palm of his hand. “But we already have the land. I’m buying this place. I placed the offer as soon as I decided to sign the contract with Moore Timber.”
“Honey, I’
