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Zoey didn’t care.
She leaned up and kissed Murdoch Michael Lake in front of everyone who wanted to watch.
She heard the laughter and surprise. Her family had come in behind her brothers, apparently. So had part of Murdoch’s.
Once again, Zoey didn’t care.
Life was too short to not take a chance. She leaned back. “I meant it, you know. I love you.”
“I know. How could you not? I’m very lovable.” His arm hooked around her waist. “I love you. I have…probably from about minute two of you glaring at me that day from the top of the steps at that church. It just took me almost losing you fourteen months ago to see it. And then…you were just gone. And all I had left was that damned cat of yours.”
“He’s not my cat.” But there was something he needed to know. “But…Orion and Oakley, Murdoch, they are going to stay with me. They’ll take a lot of my time.”
She kept her voice low. Where the kids and the crowd couldn’t hear. She had failed with Darrell, and it had been because she’d been afraid she couldn’t split her time fairly between him and Pen. She didn’t want to make that same fear-based mistake here. But he deserved to know, and it had to be out there upfront. No matter what.
“Then they’ll take a lot of mine. You are going to be there for those kids. Then so will I. You be mommy—” His look turned serious. His gaze was steady when he looked at her. “And I’ll be daddy. And any other kid we end up with. Whether it’s through that old pig’s experiments. Or any kids we make between us. Or however we get them. Even if they just fall from the sky right into our laps. We’ll do it together.”
His hand rose. He cupped her cheek. Kissed her.
When he pulled back, he continued. A lot more loudly. She could swear the crowd quieted. “We’ll be a family, got me? I’ll be right next to you as you navigate through your crazy family—like I said, some of them like Paige and Alvaro are tolerable, at least, but I’m still holding out judgement on that Holden-Deane one and that Ariella one. She’s kind of scary. It’s that smile of hers that turns the world almost as sideways as yours does. And I heard he bites sometimes. I’ll share my even nuttier family with you. Unless they scare you away, then I’ve never seen this blond guy right here before in my life.” He patted his brother on the shoulder. Anthony rolled his eyes. Everyone was just watching and waiting. Listening.
“For how long?”
“Forever sounds like a good place to start. All you need to do is tell me when you want to make it permanent. I already have my best man. I’ve been told recently Anthony looks somewhat decent in a tux, too. But there really isn’t any hope for Cam. He’s kind of ugly.”
She looked at him. He meant it. And there was nothing she wanted more. “Then as soon as Pen can stand up with me. I’m not waiting a moment longer. I want the pastor of the Coleson church to do the service.”
“I’m good with that. I’ll have Ronnie give me away.” There was that grin again. “Or any of the others, really. I’m sure they won’t hesitate.”
“You have that right. Zoey can have full custody of you. We won’t protest at all,” his brother said. Two of his sisters echoed that.
Zoey looked at Orion and Oakley, as the crowd of their family stepped back. She leaned down and lifted her little man, even though her bruises protested. “This is Murdoch. He’s the man I love. He’s going to be a part of our family, too.”
“A daddy?” Oakley asked, staring at him. “I know you. I saw your picture. You’re Sheriff Lake. You save people.”
“I got your letter, sweetheart. Thank you. It helped me find you and your…mommy. That was very smart.” Murdoch knelt down in front of Zoey’s younger sister carefully. He was hurting. No denying that.
She suspected she was going to have to keep an eye on this man. For the rest of her life. He seemed to be a bit too reckless sometimes. But it was part of what made him…Murdoch Michael.
She wouldn’t have him any other way.
149
Oakley’s mouthwas really dry. She swallowed really big.
This was important.
He was looking at her. He had a really nice face. “Jilly Silly said to make the letters really neat. OnScraggle-Popps.I tried really hard. Then I sneaked out to the mailbox.”
“Are you a sneaky one? Your new mommy is, too.”
“Sometimes.”
“I am very glad to meet you and Orion. Are you ok with me being your daddy someday? If the judge says I can?” he asked her.
It was a serious question. A very serious question.
Oakley knew that. But she had questions first. Oakley always had questions. It was how she knew things.
