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“Like the new baby?” Abby asked.

“Just like the new baby,” Remi said quickly.

Colt stood and propped his hands on his hips as he paced the living room. “Whew. Anyone else need to run around the house a few times?”

“I want to put my new jammies on!” Abby said.

Colt grabbed his pajamas and darted around the tree, leaping over presents. “I’ll get mine on first.”

“Nu-uh!” Ben said, right on Colt’s tail.

Within seconds, Remi was left alone and laughing in the living room. She walked to the bedroom and closed the door behind her. Colt was pulling the shirt over his head and struggling. “Come on. We have to beat them.”

Remi tugged the hem of his shirt down and leaned in close. Colt’s frenzy subsided, and she wrapped her arms around his waist. She lifted onto her toes and met him in a kiss. His hands found a home on her waist, pulling her close as he brushed his lips slowly over hers.

When the kids’ hurried footsteps echoed through the house, Colt broke the kiss.

“Can we do more of that later?” he whispered. “I’m so happy I can’t stay still.”

“Anytime.” Remi looked up at him. “I’ve been thinking about something lately. Would you like to renew our vows?”

Colt laughed. “You mean renewyourvows?” He stood up straight and nodded once, mocking her pitiful excuse of vows at their wedding as he said, “Thank you.”

Remi swatted his chest. “I was nervous!”

“You were something because who says ‘Thank you?’”

“I really want another chance to tell you how much I love you. And I want to do it in front of our friends, family, and God.”

“Next Saturday work for you?” Colt asked.

“I don’t care when it is, but I want this. I want you.”

His intense stare sent a shiver over her skin as he locked eyes with her. “You have me. You have all of me. My whole heart for my whole life.”

Remi smiled. “Same.”

“Let me see your drawing,” Colt said as he grabbed for the paper she held. He studied it for a second before waving it in the air. “You look great. I look like Edward Scissorhands.”

“I even have a crown,” Remi pointed out.

Colt looked at the drawing again. “You know, I think you need a promotion.” He slid his arms back around her. “How does queen sound?”

“Queen?”

“My queen. Queen of this home. Queen of this kingdom we’re building.”

Remi swallowed hard and whispered, “I like that.” Colt had changed her in ways she never thought possible, and it was all for the good. She would be honored to spend the rest of her life leading their home beside him.

Colt glanced at the door where the kids could be heard rustling around in the living room. His shoulders sank an inch. “I really wanted to win.”

Remi looked up at her best friend and whispered, “We’ve already won.”

Epilogue

COLT

Colt rocked back and forth in his boots. They weren’t his worn-in ranch boots, but at least he’d been able to come to a compromise with Everly. She’d wanted him to wear dress shoes.