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“Promise we won’t let anything come between us. Not gossip. Not expectations. Just us, as we are. There isn't anything I want more than you.”

My mouth quirked up on one side. “Not even learning to vacuum?”

She grinned. “Not even that.”

Her words twined around my heart, pulling it tight. Cupping her face, I kissed each of her cheeks. “You're the only thing that matters. There's no force strong enough to pull me from you. I promise.”

I kissed her slow and deep, filling my touch with everything I couldn't put into words. She melted into me, and there wasn't any better feeling than that.

“I’ll hold you to it,” she whispered when we finally pulled apart.

We returned to the others, hand in hand.

Mary caught sight of us first and smirked. “Oh, they’re even more inseparable now.”

Joel shook his head. “Might have to come back here just to see this love story unfold.”

Beth rolled her eyes, but her grip on my hand tightened.

The rest of the ride moved slower, everyone soaking up the final hours of the trip. Lonesome Creek soon came into view. In some ways, I didn’t want this adventure to be over. In so many other ways, I couldn't wait for my new life to get started. I'd show her my home—herhome now too. We'd settle in and live an amazing life together.

Aunt Inla and my brothers stood on the boardwalk outside the saloon, watching as we brought our mounts to a halt in front of them. As soon as Beth swung her leg over her sorhox to dismount, I was there, reaching for her. I lifted her from the saddle and set her on the ground beside me.

She looked up at me with a shy smile.

Mine.

Before doubt could sneak into her eyes, I kissed her, claiming her in front of everyone.

Inla whooped, and my brother's deep cheers echoed around us. Our friends clapped.

When I released Beth, I placed a hand at the small of her back and faced them all. “This is my mate, Beth.”

She lifted her hand, her shoulders curling forward. I wanted to smooth the sound of dismay in her voice. ”I was the runaway bride. But my running days are over. I'm staying here at Lonesome Creek, at Ruugar's side.”

That brought on more cheers from my brothers. Even Mary swiped away a tear.

Aunt Inla leaped off the boardwalk and came over to sweep Beth off her feet and spin her around. “Welcome to the family, little one,” she said when she finally put Beth down.

My mate shot me a wide-eyed look, but her eyes glowed with happiness.

“Beth will be moving in with me now,” I said.

Beth linked her fingers with mine. “I might even learn how to vacuum.”

Laughter rang out, but all I heard was her. All I felt was her hand in mine.

And that was all I needed.

Chapter 34

Epilogue

BETH

One Month Later

The soft creak of the rocking chair blended with the distant peeps of night insects. Warm evening air swirled around us as Ruugar traced slow circles over the mark on my wrist. He kept lifting it, kissing it, and pretty soon, I was going to drag him off to bed to show him how arousing I found the gesture.