“Right, call when you have an update,” I replied. “And Gun, thanks.”
“Sure thing, later,” he said in parting.
“Everything okay?” Ellie asked as she came to a stop.
“Fine,” I replied as I leaned against the fence, watching her dismount the mare with easy grace. “You look damn good on a horse, babe.”
She laughed. “Tell that to my dad and brother. They love to give me shit for being rusty.”
“You look perfect to me. Do you miss it?” I asked, following her as she led the horse toward the stable, the dogs bounding behind her.
“Riding? Sometimes,” she admitted. “But I don’t think a horse would work very well in the loft.” She laughed, and I noticed how I hadn’t heard her laugh as often as she had in the last several hours. I wondered if it was our conversation that had lightened her mood or being home. Maybe it was a combination of both.
I watched as she unsaddled the horse, giving the animal a loving rubdown, murmuring soothing words before she closed the stall door. She looked so content; I hated having to share anything that could dim the light emanating from her. But I knew I couldn’t keep this from her.
I guided her over to a nearby bale of hay, pulling her to sit in my lap. I needed her close.
“That was Gunner on the phone,” I shared, my arms wrapped around her waist.
She stiffened before taking a resolute deep breath. “And?”
“And he’s fairly sure Brian is in Denver. He’s working on getting the camera feed for your building. It’s a good bet he’ll show up there at some point.”
“Shit. Well, I can’t say I’m all that surprised,” she muttered.
“If we can prove he’s violating the restraining order, we can nail his ass. And with the lawyers I have ready, it’ll be a more permanent this time. I also have a PR team ready to suppress any interview he might do, as well as a security team that’s gonna watch the house and escort you when I can’t be with you.”
She leaned back to look at me. “You’ve been busy,” she murmured.
I gave her a gentle squeeze. “Just getting prepared. There is one more piece to this,” I hedged. “And though it might give me a good excuse, I want you to know it’s not why I’m asking. I want you to move in, Ellie.” She looked up at me in shock as I soldiered on. I wasn’t going to give her a reason to say no. “We love each other, Ellie. I’m ready to move forward. We both know my house doesn’t suit either of us. While I want you to move in with me right away, my ultimate goal is for us to start looking for a home together. You seem so happy here. I want to give that to you in Colorado.”
“You want me to move in?” she murmured, as though trying to get used to the idea.
I cupped her cheek, leaning in to take her mouth in a short, delicious kiss. “I need you to move in,” I amended. “I want to wake up to you every morning. I want your clothes next to mine. And just think, no more climbing those stairs with groceries.” I grinned against her mouth.
She smiled. “That does have its appeal.”
I pulled back, looking down at her. “Say yes. Think how happy Kodi will be to have a yard.”
She groaned. “You can’t bring Kodi into this; that’s not fighting fair.”
I shrugged. “Never said I’d fight fair—as long as I’m fighting for you. Say yes,” I pressed, skating my lips along her neck in a way I knew made her shiver.
“Okay,” she agreed. “We might be crazy, but we’ll be crazy together.”
I crushed her mouth to mine, soaking in the taste of her. “I’m going to make you so fucking happy,” I vowed against her mouth.
“You already do,” she assured me. “But let’s wait to tell my folks. They’ll just be meeting you for the first time, and my dad’s a bit old-fashioned. He’d probably be happier if we were at least engaged before we moved in together.” She rolled her eyes.
“I’d have a ring on your finger tomorrow if I thought you were ready.”
She groaned. “One thing at a time, you crazy man. Let’s go in and start dinner. They’ll probably be hungry and exhausted when they get home.”
I nodded as she slid out of my lap and stood up. I followed suit, taking her hand and bringing it to my mouth for a quick kiss. “You took the news about Brian better than I thought you would,” I admitted, sliding an arm around her shoulders as we began the walk back to the house.
She shrugged. “It’s not easy to deal with. It’s scary as hell. But I meant what I said this morning—knowing I’m not alone in this means a lot. I know you won’t let anything happen to me.”
Her trust in me made me feel about ten feet tall. “I won’t,” I swore. “Maybe this time he’ll actually be gone for good,” she sighed.
