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Her smile widened. "That bed, the doors open, a tray of hot food, a warm fire, and excellent sex."

A growl vibrated my chest because that sounded perfect. "I can make that happen." Maybe not this exact cabin, but by then we'd know if we were staying in Lost Creek often enough to buy a place and make it ours. My thumbs worked their way to her temples, my fingers massaged her jaw and around her ears, relaxing all the places she tensed when she got worked up.

"How did your date with Eve go?"

I dropped a kiss on Marley's forehead and tilted her face to mine. My heart skipped a beat when she opened her eyes and they were fuzzy and unfocused because of me. "I think I actually like my loud sister."

"I do too."

"Hmmm. She's planning a lunch for Sunday."

"Just the three of us?"

I shook my head. "She's taking it upon herself to introduce you to the family in batches. I don't know who gets the honors of round one. Are you okay with this?"

I held my breath while I waited because as scary and overwhelming as it was, I wanted this. I wanted them to know the woman I loved and see how amazing she was. Meeting my family meant it was real.

But if she wasn't ready, we'd cancel. Eve would be disappointed and so would I, but I'd deal. I'd have to endure more of my mother's disapproving glares and probably another lecture or two. She'd probably try to set me up with Ana again. Accidentally trap us somewhere in the hopes I'd finally see she was "the one." I didn't think anything would ever convince her that Marley was perfect for me, especially since they'd never be best friends and she wasn't from town, but I didn't want their approval.

No, I wanted to show Marley off.

"I'm excited to meet your family, Jackson. And maybe next time I'm on a call with my family I can introduce you properly before you steal my laptop."

I lifted her off the floor and started for the bedroom. "I would like that. I promise not to tell them off or anything."

"Good," she laughed as I juggled the door and her at the same time. "Where are we going?"

"We need to celebrate. In bed."

She wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. "We're celebrating meeting some of your family in a few days?"

"Yep." I gave her ass a playful slap. "We celebrate everything in this house, young lady. Big things, small things, all the things."

Her fingers moved through my hair as she pulled me in for a kiss. "Oh, I like this plan."

"Good." I gave her another quick slap before I fell onto the bed with her on top of me. "Because you're in charge, cowgirl." I grabbed my hat on the way down, plopping it on her head. "Ride me."

Thirty-One

Marley

Love! It's the answer. It always is though, if I'm being honest.

Every day in Lost Creek,every day with Jackson, I felt stronger. But I was still nervous as hell when I parked in front of The Green Door at seven in the morning. Jackson was leading a morning and early afternoon hike so no breakfast at the cabin for us. It was either nibble by myself and do some yoga on the deck, which was pretty fabulous, especially when a deer or two wandered into the clearing, or finally take Maeve up on her offer for breakfast company. Sharon kept bringing it up and Maeve made sure to mention it at least once every time I saw her.

And since nothing else had jarred my imagination back into working, I rolled the dice on a gossipy older woman who loved books and food. At the worst I'd have some delicious food and some company, at the best I might actually have some fun.

"Well, well, well," she grinned up at me in a pair of hot pink glasses. "Please tell me you're here for me."

"I am." I dropped my bag onto the floor and took the empty seat across from her, both facing the window. I hadn't sat in a window seat in ages... "Sorry it took me so long to take you up on your offer."

She waved her hand. "Everything happens when it's the right time. Besides, I hear you've had a much better breakfast offer most mornings."

"Maeve, did you invite me here just to pump me for information?" I flipped open the menu and started scanning. I knew the lunch and dinner menu by heart, but not the breakfast options.

"Of course I did! I wouldn't be the notorious town gossip otherwise! I'm always listening, always pumping. But I also love company and getting to know new people."

"Hmmmm." Everything sounded delicious. Annie offered a few suggestions and in the end I decided on a mushroom omelet, sausage, and hash browns.