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He smiled, his heart full. “I’m perfect.”
EPILOGUE
2 monthslater
The summer sun hung,barely two fingers above the highest peaks of the Sierra, but with an hour or so to go until dark, the steady heat still broiled the landscape as Jane pulled into the gravel driveway of Redemption, Inc., the crunch of stones under her tires cutting through the still air. Long shadows spread across the yard. There was Bridger, jeans dusty, worn ball cap shading his eyes, tossing a ball in the air as he spoke to the boy beside him.It had become their routine—Bridger picking Kellen up from school and keeping an eye on him until she closed the hardware store.
Jane cut the engine and slid out of the truck, leaning against the front fender as she watched them play. Kellen wound up, face scrunched in concentration, and swung mightily. The bat met only air with a whoosh.
“Good cut,” Bridger said. “Keep your eye on the ball next time.”
He lobbed another underhand pitch. Kellen watched it arc through the sky, tongue poking from the corner of his mouth. He swung again. This time there was a solid crack as the ball sailed over Bridger’s head.
“Atta boy!” Bridger cheered.
Kellen’s face lit up brighter than the setting sun. Something in Jane’s chest pulled taut. Kellen had deserved this all along. She blinked back the sting in her eyes.
Bridger spotted her then. A smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Hey buddy, go see if Tai needs help with those steaks. I bet he’s got corn that needs shucking too.”
Kellen handed Bridger the bat, waved at Jane, and scampered off, sneakers kicking up dust in his wake.
Jane stepped away from the truck and met Bridger halfway.
His smile faded. He looked off toward the mountains, jaw tight. “Today he told me he’s never played baseball before.”
When his gaze found hers again, there was a vulnerability in those blue eyes that made her breath catch. “He deserved a better man than Pete.”
“No argument here.”
Watching Kellen blossom under the attention Bridger and the entire Redemption Inc. team showered on the boy made her grateful every day.
Bridger gave her hand a gentle squeeze, drawing her from her thoughts. She glanced up to find him studying her with an expression she couldn’t quite decipher. His striking blue eyes seemed to pierce her very soul.
“What is it?” she asked softly.
“Just thinking how lucky I am. I never imagined my life could change so much, so fast.”He smiled shyly, toeing a limp weed at his feet. “But fast is good, right? I mean, it’s not necessarily bad. Not when you know things are meant to be. When they fit together so easily.”
Jane’s breath caught in her throat as his meaning dawned on her. Did he mean...? No, it wasn’t possible. They had agreed to take things slowly. But the way he was looking at her...
Flustered, she dropped her gaze, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “It’s been quite a journey for all of us,” she managed.
He made a sound of agreement, but didn’t elaborate. They continued on in thoughtful silence as the first stars winked into view overhead. Jane’s mind raced, wondering if she had imagined the intensity of his gaze, the implication behind his words. Or was he truly considering...?
No, she told herself firmly. They were taking things one step at a time. She would not rush ahead with fanciful daydreams.
Still...her traitorous heart quickened at the possibility. What if...?
She snuck a sidelong glance at him as they walked. His brow was furrowed, his jaw tense. He seemed to be working up the courage to say something.
Her pulse spiked again.Stop it, she scolded herself.You’re imagining things.
Bridger faced her, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that stole her breath.
“Jane,” he began, then faltered. He took a deep, steadying breath before continuing. “I know we said we’d take things slow. But I don’t want to waste any more time.”
He paused, clasping both her hands in his larger ones. “Bottom line, I can’t imagine my life without you and Kellen in it.”
Jane’s head swam as she grasped his meaning. This was really happening.
