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“They are,” she agrees.
“Grant, on the other hand, the minute he laid eyes on Aurora, he was all in. He pursued her relentlessly. He was patient until she realized she loved him, and well, you know how that story ends too.” I laugh.
“That brings us to Con and Aspen. They’d known each other for a year or so, and neither one claims to have any interest other than thinking the other was attractive.”
“Aspen told me about them being snowed in and their whirlwind romance.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “Much like our three older brothers, Conrad claims it just hit him while he was at the cabin, and he knew she was it for him.”
“You have a great family.”
“Thank you.” We swing for a few minutes while I collect my thoughts. “That day at the pharmacy, I could see you were beautiful. Tired as hell, but beautiful. I didn’t think any more about it. I had the means to help a mother who needed it, so that’s what I did.” I shrug.
“You helped us too much. I’ll never forget your generosity.” She peers up at me under her lashes.
“The day you walked into my office to give me back the money I slipped into your bag, I was… amused to say the least. I was also intrigued. I knew you needed it, but you didn’t care about who I was. You didn’t care about my last name or the size of my bank account. You just didn’t want a handout. You were so different from any woman I’d ever met. I’d love to say that that’s the day that I knew you were more to me, but sadly, that’s not the case.”
“I was so nervous,” she confesses. “You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, and you intimidated me.”
“Well, you didn’t show it,” I assure her. “Anyway, the day you showed up with Aspen, and Maddie only wanted me, I felt this burning in my chest. It was a fire I’d never felt before. As time went on, the fire intensified. I didn’t understand it, but I wanted to. Us spending more time together was my solution.”
Wren sits up and turns her body to face me. She has one leg resting on the swing as the other dangles over the side. “You’ve been doing a lot of talking.” She smiles.
“I just wanted to explain what the magic comment was about. I wanted you to know that when I told you that I’m in love with you, I meant it. I don’t just love you. I love you and Maddie.”
“Marshall.” She raises her hand to my lips. “My turn,” she whispers.
I nod, letting her have the chance to tell me how she feels. However, I’m already starting my defense in my head. I’m not letting her walk away. I don’t know that I could survive losing them. I know I couldn’t.
“I know you’ve been taking things slow for me, and I appreciate that. Over the past couple of months, you’ve been there for me around every corner. You help me with taking care of my daughter, and you take care of me.” She reaches for my hand and links her fingers with mine. “I loved Travis. He was my best friend. What I feel for you—” She shakes her head and blinks hard a few times, getting her emotions under control. “It’s so much more, Marshall. I feel guilty for even saying it, but it’s the truth. You bring light to my darkest days. I was going through the motions of life, doing my best to raise Madeline and give her the best life I could. All of a sudden, you ride into our lives like a white knight, and nothing has been the same. Now it’s not just my daughter who makes me get out of bed every morning. It’s you too. It’s knowing that I get to see you that evening, or the potential for a text message during the day.”
“I’ll always take care of both of you,” I tell her with conviction in my voice.
She smiles. “I know you will. That’s why I love you.”
“Look, I— Wait. Did you just say…?” My voice trails off.
She nods with tears in her eyes. “I did.”
“Say it again, baby.”
“I love you too, Marshall Riggins.”
She moves to rest her head on my chest, and I have my arms around both of them. “My girls,” I manage to say. My heart is racing so hard I fear it could beat right out of my chest. I know “happy.” I’ve lived a good life. I have four older brothers who would do anything for me and two loving parents who showed me what it means to love and respect your partner. But right here, in this moment, with Wren and Madeline in my arms, I’m bursting with it. I’ve never felt this level of contentment in my entire life. What’s even better is that I know I’m never letting them go. I meant what I said. I want to spend my life with her, and I want to be Madeline’s daddy.
