Page 139 of Freeing Denver

“Yes.”

“I’m Denver.”

“I know. How long do you want to stay here, Denver?” His voice is smooth, rich, low, and a shiver tiptoes down my spine. I don’t look away, I seemingly can’t, caught in the orbit of this man despite my instincts telling me to run.

He smiles, and even though I don’t know him, I get the impression it’s a rare sight. My heart picks up as Ranger Luxe reaches the bottom step, a man my father rarely spoke of, a person my mother once described as terrifying.

And without thinking, I offer myself to him. “As long as you want me.”

Chapter 44

Denver

Holly throws leaves into the air, and Wesson jumps to catch them. The world is awash with ambers and red, autumn officially on us, the towering trees in our yard bare. The air feels different here, or maybe that’s my imagination. Either way, I close my eyes and breathe deep.

“He’s asleep.” Colt places the baby monitor between us and joins me on the patio steps. I lean into him, his arm comforting around my shoulders, and we watch the scene before us.

It’s been almost ten years since my father died, since a car accident stole him from me and thrust me into a world he wanted me to escape. A letter was burned, a will was changed, and I stepped into Ranger Luxe’s home, hopeful, and naïve, and desperate to find a place. In the years that followed, I changed so much, and I really thought I understood my life and what I deserved, but now I finally know the truth.

Happiness is not fragments.

Happiness is whole.

And my happiness is sitting right beside me.

“What do you want to do tonight?” Colt asks, kissing my temple.

I smile and watch Holly chasing Wesson. “Can we dance?”

That’s exactly what we do. Between a million feeds and diaper changes, between putting Holly to bed and taking Wesson out for his evening walk, after sick-stained clothes are stripped off and we’re showered and changed, I dance with my husband in the living room.

We can’t laugh too loud when we miss the rhythm, and that makes it even funnier. Colt spins me, holds me, whispers lyrics in my ear, and when we fall into bed, his arms are around me, and his words of love are in my ear.

And that’s how our years unfold.

Dancing in the living room. Early morning café openings. Taking Holly to school and playdates. Raising our son, and then our daughter. It’s exhausting, and beautiful, and wonderful.

Years pass.

We love each other, all of us.

My little family. The only thing I’ve ever needed. The only life I’ve ever wanted.

It took a while to get here, didn’t it?

Longer than I thought. But it was worth the wait.

Because I, Denver Harland, amhappy.

Epilogue

COLT - FIVE YEARS LATER

“Okay, what’s the rule?”

My kids are lined up in front of me, and Finn’s hand shoots up. Holly rolls her eyes. “You don’t get picked. We all answer.”

“Holly, don’t roll your eyes at your brother.”