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Stella watched with a grin as Hagen tossed her luggage into the ’Vette and slammed the trunk. Good thing she was a light packer, or they’d have had to take separate vehicles. Hagen hadn’t overpacked, but his stuff was all spread out inside his luggage compared to hers.

Stella squeezed Hagen’s arm, and he pulled her into a hug that ended in a soft, sweet kiss before they separated and got into the vehicle.

After they’d both climbed in, Hagen started the engine. “You know your mom and stepdad are going to beat us there.”

Flying her mom and Jonathan to the ranch had been Hagen’s idea. Stella’s mom had agreed immediately. They’d all be together for a belated Christmas.

“They’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other, then.

And anyway, you deserve this.” Stella smiled, and her cheeks grew warm.

She didn’t want to be emotional—the trip hadn’t even begun.

But Hagen deserved everything she could give him.

She wanted him to have it all, to love their life together.

And she was just reminded of that. Again .

“I deserve what, exactly, Stella? You?” He pinched his arm and smiled. “I’m still processing.”

“You deserve a joyride. Your favorite thing.”

Bubs let out a little bark from the back.

They both laughed.

“I think someone,” Stella nodded to the tiny back seat, which looked even smaller with Bubs sprawled out on it, “is ready to go.” She turned around and gave him a little head scratch.

“I love you, Stella Knox.”

Okay, now her eyes were hot with tears. She turned to see that Hagen’s were too.

“I was so afraid I was going to hurt you by…”

She touched his arm. She knew what he meant. If they hadn’t gotten him out of that museum basement alive, it would’ve all but killed her.

But they had made it out. She’d pulled it off, and they’d caught their killer.

So many people, including one of their own, weren’t so lucky.

She loved Hagen with all her heart. She loved their life and couldn’t remember the last time she’d ever felt so in sync with another person, so safe inside the world they were creating. “I love you, too, beautiful.” She touched his bruised and bandaged head ever so lightly.

“Hey,” he kissed the tip of her nose, “we’ve got to call Slade by week’s end. But for the next few days, I’m going to be thinking of nothing but family.” He took her hand and kissed it before revving the engine and reversing out of the driveway.

They weren’t taking any new job, no matter how enticing the offer. They weren’t leaving Nashville, and they both knew it. Though they were on their way to spend quality time with their birth families, they had another just as significant—a family that would be waiting for them when they returned.

They shared a knowing smile. Then Hagen put the ’Vette in drive, and they shot down the road.

A streak of cherry red.

The End

You saw it all. The chaos, the pain, the loss. The fight to make it out alive.

But I’m still standing. And so are the people I love.

That’s enough. That’s everything.

Now it’s your turn—go live boldly.

Love hard. Be the storm when you have to.

And when the dust clears?

Stand tall in whatever peace you’ve earned.

I’ll be doing the same.

Love, Stella