“You two, don’t worry about this. I’m going to handle it,” Grandpa says darkly, and then he and Harper disappear down the hall.
“We’ll use the team of lawyers to get a restraining order at least,” I grumble.
Magnolia reaches up and grasps my face. “You’re not going to be grumpy the rest of the night, are you?”
“I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight.”
“What are you going to do, be by my side twenty-four/seven?”
I grin down at her. “Yes. Yes, I think so. Until we’re back in Pine Ridge, I don’t think I’m going to let you leave my sight.”
I bend down and lift her up. I adjust my hold, and she wraps her legs around me and throws her head back and laughs.
“You can’t just carry me everywhere.”
“Watch me. It’s one of my favorite things to do with you.” I lean forward and kiss her neck.
She squeaks. “That’s sensitive.”
“Hmm, interesting.” I kiss higher up on her neck, just below her ear. “Better?”
Magnolia sighs. “Better.”
“Are you going to let me protect you?”
“Maybe.”
I kiss her again on the ticklish part of her neck, and she tries to dodge unsuccessfully.
“Okay, fine, you can protect me.”
“It’s only fair. You’ve been protecting me ever since I met you,” I tell her as I carry her out of the study and down the hall.
“I’ve done no such thing,” she protests as I stop at the end of the hall and let her stand on her feet but keep my hands on her waist.
“But you have.” I reach up and gently brush a thumb against her cheek. “You’ve protected my heart and given me a chance to love again. At every turn, you’ve made sure that I’m protected. Even today, when you came into the house, it was to take care of me. To protect my happiness. I know I didn’t do anything to deserve you. But I will spend every day of my life loving you.”
Magnolia fists my shirt. “I love you, Nash Whitlock.”
“You’re my favorite fiancée,” I whisper.
Magnolia tips her head back and laughs, and I realize it’s a sound I’ll be happy to listen to for the rest of my life.
“When are we going home?” she asks.
“To your apartment?”
She shakes her head. “Pine Ridge. I have a bakery to run and a man to date.”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t have to make it sound so transactional.”
“Well, you see, turns out I have a thing for cowboys with dimples. I never knew until I met you.”
“I better be the only cowboy with dimples you have a thing for,” I mutter.
She grins and steps out of my hold. “Turns out I have a thing for Nash Whitlock. He’s the only man for me.”
I reach for her, but she steps back, a bright twinkle in her eye and a mischievous smile on her face. “Just what are you doing?”
