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Chapter Sixteen
Lennox
Standingin front of the mirror in our bathroom, I watch as Katrina rebandages her arm. She’s fresh from a shower, cheeks pink from the hot water and hair dripping down on the towel she has wrapped around her body.
She’s a sight. A radiant goddess.
But the angry wound on her arm and surrounding bruises have my blood pressure increasing in rage. I hate the sight of them. Knowing they still cause her pain and discomfort. She’s been out of the hospital for two weeks now after staying only for a couple days, but the image of her pale and bleeding flashes before my eyes.
No matter how many times I tell myself it was only a flesh wound, that the bullet Carlos shot miraculously only grazed her arm and caused no permanent damage, I can’t stop replaying that moment.
I should have done more. I should have taken out Carlos at the first sign of his erratic behavior. My hesitation had almost cost Katrina her life.
Blinking away the image, my eyes meet Katrina’s in the reflective surface. She has a small sad, knowing grin on her face. But it’s the love that’s shining from her eyes that helps cast my worries aside.
Today I was going to add another happy memory. I needed to leave the pain and destruction Carlos had caused in the past. He was out of our lives now, never to hurt anyone else.
“How are you feeling today?” I ask, stepping up behind her to wrap my arms around her waist. Propping my chin on her shoulder, I soak in the sound of her giggle.
“Great. I was thinking about trying my hand at gardening. You have the perfect spot in the back and Cohen dropped off some seeds last night.”
I hum against her skin. “Or how about we go on hike? I haven’t shown you my favorite spot on the mountain yet.”
“Oh! That sounds fun. I do want to explore the trails around here. It’s so beautiful this time of year.”
Smacking her towel-clad ass, I give her a cheeky grin and head out of the bathroom. “Get dressed then. We’ll head out in thirty.”
“Bossy,” I hear her mutter, but there’s an amused lightness to the word.
Pinching the fabric of my jean pocket, I reassure myself the ring is still secure. I couldn’t wait to see it on her finger.
An hour later, hand in hand, I lead Katrina through a dense brush of branches. With a huge smile on my face as we clear the trees, I look back at her just in time to catch her first glimpse of the waterfall.
“Oh my God,” she gasps, rushing forward so she can take in more of the area. “It’s so beautiful.”
Not able to tear my eyes off of her, I agree. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life. The woman who owns my heart, glowing from happiness, surrounded by hues of green and blue.
“You know, this was the first place I felt any peace after not reenlisting and becoming a civilian. It’d been a hard adjustment and nothing felt right. But when Cohen offered me the cabin, he told me about this place. So I came, just to explore the land. The sound of the waterfall, the crisp feel of the water and the gentle buzz of nature gave me the peace I was so desperately looking for. It felt right to be on this mountain.”
Taking a steadying breath, I turn to face her, grabbing her other hand as well so that I had her full attention. She quirks her brow, wondering at what I’m doing.
“I knew that day that I would build a house on the mountain, but it never felt like a home. Until you.” I reach into my jean pocket and pull out the ring. The same ring I had bought her all those years ago.
She gasps, a hand covering her mouth as she stares at me wide-eyed.
“Katrina, I’ve never been a man to believe in fate or miracles, but the first time you dropped into my arms I knew you were meant to be mine. Then, years later when I was just going through the motions of life, there you were again, showing me how to live. I love you, little thief. You’ve stolen my heart and I never want it back. I want to build a life with you, here on this mountain. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
Tears are welling in her eyes as she looks down at me. Her lip quivers with emotion.
“Yes,” she utters softly. Then louder, “Oh my God, yes! Yes!” Falling into my arms, she frames my face and presses her lips to mine. Sealing our love with a deep, soul-searing kiss.
“Forever,” I say, leaning my forehead against hers.
“Forever,” she agrees.
