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“Thank you, Reed.” She sniffled, then rushed on. “I was diagnosed with OCD and panic attacks. I learned how to prevent the panic attacks and manage or use the OCD for good habits and rules that helped me, but I was terrified that if I fell in love again, the minute things got rocky I would get out of control and act insane again. That I would not only hurt the person I loved and myself, but also be a detriment to my family and the Delta secret. The fact that you’re the sheriff and in the line of danger made me even more afraid to admit my love for you.”
Reed pushed the button to incline the bed a bit and shifted up in it. His chest and arm muscles flexed. “Esther, I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you. I had no idea what you’d been through and what you’ve had to overcome. How can I be there for you?”
She smiled. “You are there for me, Reed. I don’t know if you remember in your current condition, but at the waterfall when I freaked out, you didn’t judge me. You gently dried my feet, put my socks on, and promised not to ask questions. In the steam room, when I went nuts, you calmly got me out of there and acted like it was no big deal.”
“It wasn’t. You’re amazing, Esther, and I want to be there for you any way I can.”
“I know you do. It was … surprising tonight. When you were shot and my worst fear came true—the man I love being shot because of me—I reacted calmly and did what I’ve been trained to do in an emergency, taking your pulse, checking your breath, checking your head injury while Thor staunched the bleeding and my dad called 911.”
“Good girl. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, but I believe it’s you. Even when you were knocked out and bleeding from a bullet wound, my love for you kept me calm and focused. Once I’d done all I could do, I took your hand, and it made all the difference.”
He squeezed her hand.
“With you by my side, I can stay in control and keep using my OCD tendencies to work hard and be successful, but not get obsessed or hurt myself or others because of it.” She smiled tenderly at him. “Though I am kind of obsessed with my hot sheriff.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He tugged her toward him. “I’m obsessed, committed to, and deeply in love with my beautiful, smart, fun, incredible lawyer.”
Their lips met. Esther let go of her need for control and kissed him the way she longed to. Her dad wasn’t watching, and nothing had ever felt so good as Reed’s lips taking possession of hers, especially knowing they loved each other and she was finally putting her worries and fears to rest and focusing where she should … on her hot sheriff.
Mrs. Esther Delta-Peterson.
Their names melded perfectly together in her mind. Reed’s kiss was perfect and Reed was perfect, at least for her he was. It turned out Kari had been right. It wasn’t about finding the perfect person, or even being perfect herself. It was about finding the right person for her.
Reed’s kiss become all-encompassing and she focused on the happiness and joy they could discover … together.
