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Nightly, I’d fall asleep on top of him in the bottom bunk, then I’d crawl up to the top bunk at some point in the middle of the night. When he woke in the morning, he’d pull me down on top of him again.

I wouldn’t change it for the world.

The insurance settlement for the house came through a week ago—decent enough to start fresh, though the sentimental stuff could never be replaced. Archer was flying in next week to walk the lot with me, to help design something nice. Hudson insists on building it himself with his brothers, and I don’t doubt for a second it’ll be perfect.

We decided we’d sell it and with the money, we’d add to his savings and build a larger family home on the two acres from his family property.

And thanks to a nudge from Mama, I’d landed a job at the police station, helping their chief get the station’s back office under control. Chief MacGregor was a legend, but his filing system belonged in a museum. Hudson also liked that Branson was there working with me and could keep a watch over me.

I really did it. And I put down roots right here in Poppy Valley.

As I watched Carson slip the ring on Emme’s finger and say “I do,” I felt Hudson’s eyes on me again. He held up his hands in the shape of a heart and mouthed the words I’d been dying to hear from him for weeks.

I love you…

Later,after the barbecue was devoured, the wedding cake was cut, and the band played one too many line dances, Hudson took my hand and whispered something in my ear that made my champagne-happy heart skip.

“Come with me. I’ve got something to show you.”

I followed him down a wooded path, giggling when he tugged me along like he couldn’t wait another minute.

“Hudson,” I laughed, nearly tripping in my strappy heels on the hiking path. “Where exactly are you taking me? I cannot be trusted on uneven ground at the moment.”

He turned, caught me by the waist, and kissed me soft and slow. “You trust me, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Then just a little further.”

We wound through the trees until the brush gave way to an outcropping of rock that jutted out over the lake. The water shimmered below, reflecting the stars and strings of fairy lights from the party.

“Oh. It’s beautiful. I forgot about this rock.” In high school, we called it Make Out Rock.

He fiddled with his phone, until music played, a slow, sweet song.

“Dance with me.”

He pulled me into him, one hand on my lower back, the other threading through mine. We swayed together, body to body, heart to heart, the rest of the world melting away.

He kissed my temple, then my cheek, then whispered against my skin, “I love you, Lacey.”

My breath caught.

“Finally,” I said, blinking back happy tears. “I was beginning to think you’d never say it.”

“I’ve wanted to say it since the day after the fire. I just knew you were it for me.”

“I love you too,” I whispered, holding him tighter. “More than I ever thought possible.”

We danced for another minute in silence. And then he whispered something else so softly, but I could hardly hear it.

“What was that?”

He got down on his knee and repeated, “Marry me, Lace.”

I froze, heart thumping loud enough to echo across the lake. I had no doubts about us, no fears, no worries about where we were headed. He’d become my everything no matter what the future held.

“Yes… I’ll marry you Hudson.” I gushed and jumped into his arms. He swung me around and I yelped, hoping we didn’t fall into the lake together. Then a thought hit me.

“Oh! Let’s keep it just between us. At least for tonight. Emme and Carson deserve their moment. We shouldn’t steal their thunder.”

He pressed his forehead to mine, eyes shining. “Deal. But tomorrow, I’m shouting it from the top of the fire truck right through the heart of town.”

I laughed, full and free and completely in love.

As we danced longer under the stars, this was the beginning of everything for us. My roots would be tangled firmly around Hudson Goodson for life.