We just lock eyes, trading slow, desperate kisses. The kind that come back sticky with heart and soul and every dirty thing I want to do to her.
I don’t let up till a new ambulance pulls in. I kiss the top of her head and then release her and steer her back to the bigger group of people.
“You need to get that gash on your head checked out.”
It’s hours later before we’re alone. Both she and Weston have MRI scans to make sure there’s no internal damage from the hideous blows to their heads.
Every time I think about it, I wish I’d done more than just shoot out that bastard’s arm. If I’d known Niles Foss was the one who did it when I pulled the trigger...
I damn well likely would’ve aimed between his eyes.
After an age passes and we’re finally settled into bed at the motel, I lie down beside her, grateful for life to have her wrapped up in my arms.
She snuggles in close, resting her head on my shoulder.
Yeah. Resting right where she always belongs.
“I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused,” she whispers again. “Also, I’m sorry for leaving like I did. It just hurt too much back at your farm, and I didn’t want to—”
“Hush,” I rumble, silencing her with a kiss on top of her head. “I’m not sorry. Everything we’ve been through was one big wake up call. Before you showed up, I was trapped in the past, afraid what might happen if I ever tried to move beyond it, thinking I’d be destined for more heartbreak. Frankly, I was so far up my own ass I’d forgotten all the good things. Everything worth living for.”
She tilts her head to look up at me, a hot new life in those sparkling blue eyes.
“Weston told me how—how tragic Brittany’s death was for you. I’m so sorry for that, Grady. I think I get why you’re so protective and careful with Sawyer and Avery. After what you went through...anyone would be.”
I kiss the top of her nose.
“Thanks, gorgeous. I thought I understood, too,” I say. “And I’ll always be a papa grizzly when it comes to my girls, but I also have to let them live. I have to stop worrying and let myself have a life.” I touch the side of her face, gently, where the butterfly stitches cover the gash.
A fire whips through me, an urge to split my heart open and start living a little more like I promised right the hell now.
“This might sound insane, but shit, I’m past caring,” I tell her, clasping her chin in my fingers. “I love you, Willow Wisp. Don’t know exactly when it happened, or how, but the fact is it did. I learned to love again like a man should. And if you’re willing, if there’s even a ghost of a chance...fuck, I want to see if we can work something out.”
“Grady—”
I press a finger to her lips, needing to get this all out before she shoots me down like the sappy overgrown bear I’ve become.
“Let me finish. I love everything about you, including your passion for your work. Don’t care what anybody else thinks. To me, you’re an expert on big cats and one day I know you’ll be as famous and respected as your father. I want to support you in that. So, I’ve been thinking...maybe the girls and I could join you. Wherever your work takes you, we’ll follow.”
Tears dot her eyes like tiny diamonds.
She’s shaking her head.
“You...you can’t do that. You have your home, your bar, your people, the town...and...and the girls have their home, friends, and school. They’re at that age where it’d suck royally to tear them away from all that.” She presses a hand to my cheek, raking those soft fingers through my beard, her chest heaving and fluttering and full of regrets.
But I knew this was coming, the kill shot to our dream, and I’ll never regret trying.
I’ll never regret loving Willow Macklin.
“Darling,” I start, but she pushes a slim finger against my lips.
“Wait. I could never ask, never expect you to give up Dallas. Or the girls. They need the stability. They need the house. They need the big-hearted people. They need Uncle Hank, Weston, Granny Coffey, Joyce, and everyone else. Most of all, they need you and the life you’ve built for them, giving the people of Dallas a cozy place to gather with the Bobcat. Trust me, I know. I traveled the world with my father and, sure, it’s exciting at times, but it’s hardly ideal. Not for girls who should be worried about their next math test or what boy they have a crush on.”
My hopes are falling, shattering to pieces with every word.
I get it.
I really do.
And I’m finally in a place where I have to believe the pain can make me stronger—even if having a Willow-shaped hole in my life means a lingering weakness I’ll never fill.
“I see,” I whisper.
“No, you don’t see.” She kisses me softly, her eyes so bright. “Because I sorta really suck at words when it comes to things like this, so...here’s what I’m trying to say. I love you, too, Grady.”
The corners of my lips turn up, and I’d kiss her like mad if only she wasn’t still speaking.
“I don’t know how it happened so fast, how it blindsided both of us, but I fell in love with your daughters and your life and you. Especially you. I don’t want to travel the world. Not if it means you’re not a part of it. I’m even questioning if I should have a career with exotics, honestly. In fact, while I sort things out...I’m thinking a nanny sounds like a pretty sweet side gig. Much safer, too.” With a shrug and a bashful smile that sets my heart on fire, she asks, “You don’t know anyone who needs a live-in nanny, do you? Ideally for a set of rambunctious twins who totally love animals. And if they’ve got a big, strong, overprotective bearded daddy, well—”
I can’t take it anymore.
I’m on her lips like they’re life itself, and it turns out they absolutely are.
My breath.
My passion.
My spark.
My all.
I kiss the love of my life so hard it almost makes me blind. And when I finally pull myself back together again, I press my forehead to hers.
“You’re in luck. I do know someone who needs a nanny, and you’re the only one being considered for the job. Applicant needs the heart of an angel, a whole lot of humor, and knockout good looks.” I brush the hair away from her face as she giggles. Music to my ears. “But before you’re on payroll, I’ve gotta ask: what about Bruce? What about all the other cats out there who need you? You really sure you’re willing to walk away from all that?”
“I’m willing to ponder it for a while. Miracles can happen, and I think you’ll agree after what just went down tonight. Maybe we’ll find a way to have it all,” she tells me, stopping for another smiley kiss. Then, frowning, she looks at me for a long thoughtful moment. “So you do like him. You really like Bruce, don’t you?”
I shrug, biting back a smile.
“He has a way of growing on a dude,” I say.
She laughs, then whispers close to my lips, “I love you, Grady McKnight. Every ornery ounce of muscle and ink and that soft, sweet heart you’re always trying to hide.”
Guilty.
She knows me too well.
Even so, there’s only one thing that matters now.