“I had to make things right with you, and that meant a hell of a lot more than saying I’m sorry. Or that I love you, and I miss you, and I can’t live without you.”
“Oh, trust me. That would’ve done the trick.”
He gave her a grin that melted her panties right off. “I want you to be happy, to live your dreams, and I figured the only way to do that is to be free of obligations. Which meant I had to find a way to help your family, so I talked to Harrison, and he introduced me to your godfather.”
“Well, aren’t you the overachiever? You nailed it. You’ve made my stepfather a very happy and financially-secure man.” She tugged on his lapels. “And what do I get out of all of this?”
“You get anything your big heart desires.”
“Anything?”
He stood there, so powerful and strong. Confident and real. “Anything.”
She believed him. “Oh, where do I begin? Let’s see.” She ticked off her fingers. “I want to open a store in Calamity. I want to wear a costume in next year’s Wild West Festival. Hm, what else…”
“Nothing comes to mind, huh?”
She went all sultry. “Well, there’s one thing.”
“Name it.”
She looked into those hazel eyes and felt his love pouring into her, filling her soul all the way to bursting. “I want your kisses. Every day for the rest of my life. I want your arms wrapped around me all night, every night. I want to ride in the Jeep with you all over Teton County and watch sunrises and sunsets and everything in between, and I want…” She crooked a finger, and he leaned in close to her mouth. “I want to make love to you any time I want. Is there room in your life for all that?”
He smiled, eyes shining. “There’s room for everything you are, and as long as I get to be by your side, I’ll be a happy man. So, go after your dreams, golden girl, whatever that means, wherever that takes you.”
“All roads lead to you, Declan Cadell. You’re the love of my life. Now take me home, hockey boy.”
Epilogue
Phinny didn’t know why Declan had added another shoot-out to the schedule. It was nearly dusk, and the last shuttle of the day would be leaving in ten minutes, clearing out the last remaining visitors at the Wild West Festival. It seemed unnecessary, but she went along with it.
She was having a blast, so why not? “You ever try’n steal from me again, and I’ll put a bullet right through your head.” In her pink cowboy boots and a fringed vest, she aimed her toy gun at the group of three costumed actors.
And, honestly, Declan in chaps, a black Stetson, and a holster slung low around his hips was hot.
With his hands up, the youngest of the hockey kids Declan was mentoring said, “Yes, ma’am.”
The other one had grown out a handlebar mustache for the occasion. “We’re real sorry, ma’am.”
And then Declan went totally off-script and darted over to Hank. He snatched the Stetson right off his head and hoisted it in the air, like he’d pulled off a hat trick.
“What’d I tell you?” Phinny knew she sounded ridiculous trying to pull off a Texas gunslinger with her British accent, but she was having the time of her life. “Put the hat down, you thievin’ hound.”
“Come on, boys. Run.” Leading the way, Declan made a run for it, and she pulled the trigger three times. Bang bang bang. The other two dropped to the ground and played dead. Declan, though…she didn’t know what was up with him. He held his arms open wide and made a slow spin, drawing out his death in a way that had the small audience cracking up. He landed on his back, legs shaking, arms waggling.
She was laughing too hard to figure out why he wasn’t dying like he was supposed to, so she made her way over and straddled his body, pointing the gun at him. “Don’t make me keel you dead.”
“Do it.” Rearing up, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down to her knees. “Put me out of my misery.”
What in the world? “I’m tryin’, but you jes won’t die.” She couldn’t stop laughing.
“Can’t. Not until you fulfill my last dying wish.”
Oh, my God. He was being ridiculous. She glanced to the crowd, her gaze falling on her parents who watched with delight. “All right, cowboy. What’s your last dying wish?”
“To win your heart.”
This man. “You already done that.” She stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. “Done a real good job of it, too.”
“I need you to prove it.” Giving her a devilish grin, he yanked her again, and she collapsed onto his chest. “Reach into my pocket, pretty lady.”
“This is a family show, cowboy.” But she obliged, pulling a hard, velvet box out of his jeans. A ring box. Her heart nearly exploded, and she jerked upright. “Declan.” Overcome, she got to her feet and bent over, covering her mouth with her hands. “Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Are you serious?” He gave her the panty-melting grin she’d never get enough of. “Oh, my God.”
In one smooth move, he got up and planted a knee in the dirt. “Seraphina Crutchley, I’m crazy in love with you. All I want is to wake up to your beautiful face, make babies with you, and be right by your side for every step of this beautiful journey we’re on together. You make me happy. You make me whole. Please put me out of my misery and marry me.”
“Yes, yes, yes. A thousand times yes.” As she reached for him, he got up and kissed her. Then, he slid the stunning diamond and sapphire engagement ring on her finger. She threw herself into his arms, and he held her so tightly he lifted her off her feet. “I love you. I love you so much.”
“Ew.” The voice of Declan’s hockey boy broke through their romantic haze. “That’s gross.”
The crowd broke out in laughter.
“You never said there’d be kissing.” Disgusted, the boy got up, dusted off his jeans, and stomped off.
Laughing, Declan pulled her into his arms, tipping her chin. Turning his back on the lingering crowd, he said, “You gonna marry me?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m gonna marry you, and I’m never gonna let you go.”
“Well, then, you’re one lucky woman.”
Deliriously happy, she arched a brow.
But he just grinned at her challenging expression. “Since I love nothing more than seeing you smile, I’m going to make sure I put one on your face every day for the rest of our lives.”
“Oh, I like that. And since I love nothing more than lying in your arms, I’m never going to get out of…no, wait. That’s not the same thing. We’ll have to get out of bed sometime.”
He laughed. “Come on. Let’s celebrate.” As the last shuttle of the day pulled out, he led her to the barn.
“You know, I can think of way more romantic places for us to celebrate than a farm building.”
“There are many ways to celebrate, but you just keep those dirty thoughts on the back burner. We’ll get to them later. For now…” He opened the door, and she realized she was completely wrong. The entire place was lit up with fairy lights draping from the walls, bouquets of flowers decorating café tables, and a buffet table loaded with baskets and platters of food.