“Because I was scared. I wanted you protected. Safe. I didn’t want family drama to come between us.”
“So, you decided to not even try?” she asks, incredulous and a little angry.
“I was a coward,” I admit as I risk reaching for her. “But I’m saying it now. I love you. I wish I could date you and take things at a regular pace…but nothing has been normal for us. Everything has been backward. But it doesn’t matter. I know I don’t want to lose you.”
“You love me?”
“Stop sounding surprised. You’re easy to love.” I slip an arm around her waist.
“No one has told me they loved me before.”
“No one?” I ask, surprised. I would think men would be falling all over themselves to tell her that.
“Maybe you should take some time to think about it so you’re sure.”
I chuckle at that. “All I’ve done is think about it ever since I met you. I wanted circumstances to be different so that I could pursue you.”
“But those circumstances are why you tried to push me away this week…”
“Some wise woman reminded me that I can make choices.”
Magnolia slips her hands around the back of my neck and pulls me closer. “Oh, really? And what choice did you make?”
“I’m quitting the family business and moving to Pine Ridge. I have a ranch and a best friend out there. And I think the woman I love is about to start a business there.”
“Hmm, Bliss is starting something new?”
I growl and pull her tight against me. “You. You’re the only woman for me. And I would follow you anywhere.”
“You’re not going to run scared anymore?” she asks with one brow raised.
“Never. You won’t be able to get rid of me.”
“Do you think that I’m with you for your money?”
I snort at that. “Definitely not. I just hope you know the same.”
She looks at me with a quizzical expression. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, it’s you and me together. You’re mine, and I’m yours. And I’d like to kiss you now.”
“By all means, Mr. Whitlock, continue.”
She smiles and tips her head back. I bend down to kiss her.
I feel as though a weight has been lifted off of me.
As I kiss her, it feels as if we’re floating through the air. I don’t know how long we’re locked together, but it doesn’t matter, because I’m exactly where I want to be. Sheloves me. She said so herself. And I know I love her. And sorting out the details can come later. Because right now, I don’t want to let her go.
Unfortunately, loud footsteps and a crash bring us back to earth.
We pull apart, and I whisper, “I love you.”
And Magnolia smiles as she says it back to me. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing those words. I know I’ll be saying them often.
“Oh good, you’re here,” the lawyer says as he walks into the living room with Grandpa again.
Somehow, I think he never actually gave us any privacy. He was probably listening from around the corner.
