Page 19

Every heartbeat, every breath, every second.

The sheriff had been by twice since that night, checking the new lock and dropping off a pepper spray canister like it was standard housewarming fare. Goose had become a local hero—someone even brought him a steak from the diner.

Jack wanted me to move in with him and Eloise, which I refused to do.

I was still shaken. Not terrified the way I was that night, but jumpier than usual. Sleep was harder. The quiet didn’t feel peaceful anymore. It felt… watchful.

Max texted me every few hours, even when it was the middle of the night for him. I knew he was exhausted. I tried not to let the guilt creep in, but it did anyway.

I missed him like breathing.

So when I heard a knock at the door, broad, sure, and familiar, I assumed it was Junior. Or maybe the sheriff again. Goose barked twice, then—shockingly— wagged his tail.

Weird.

I opened the door.

And forgot how to breathe.

Max.

In jeans and a plain black t-shirt, a duffel slung over one shoulder, hair wind-blown, and those deep, warm eyes locked right on me.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

My knees nearly gave out. “Max?”

He dropped the bag and reached for me before I could fully process what was happening. “Nate replaced me. I told them I needed to be home.”

“You—” I blinked. “You flew home early?”

He nodded, his voice suddenly quieter. “You needed me. That’s all there is to it.”

I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him like he was air and I’d been drowning. He pulled me into his chest, lifting me off the ground just enough that my feet left the porch for a second.

I buried my face in his neck, breathing him in.

Warmth. Cedar. Home.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I whispered.

“You really think I could sleep on some fancy hotel mattress while you were out here swinging bats and holding it all together?”

I laughed into his shirt, already crying again. “You said you wouldn’t come back until the job was done.”

“It is,” he said, setting me down and brushing the hair from my face. “ You’re the job now.”

I kissed him then. Hard. Fierce. Grateful.

And when we pulled back, slightly breathless, he smiled that boyish grin that never failed to undo me.

“I brought cannoli,” he said. “And I’m not above using dessert to make you let me stay forever.”

“Max,” I whispered, cupping his cheek, “you didn’t need to bring cannoli.”

He leaned in close, eyes locked on mine. “No?”

“No. You already brought you.”

The B he had been away on an assignment somewhere. He was Eloise’s brother.

He was tall, built like a wall with a crooked grin and a dimple he probably used to get out of speeding tickets. He’d shown up with a six-pack of beer and a lopsided apple pie that looked like it had barely survived the drive. He had a cabin within walking distance.

Dinner was filled with warmth and laughter. Nate told stories that nearly made my dad cry, and my brother laughed and shook his head.

I watched Max when he didn’t know I was watching. He moved through the kitchen like he had been cooking his entire life. He would glance at me and smile, sometimes he would walk over and kiss me.

Like I was everything.

I wish my mom and Cassie could have met him. They would have loved him.

After pie, Max stood up and cleared his throat. “Mind if I borrow Tessa for a second?”

Dad raised an eyebrow. “As long as she comes back.”

Max took my hand and led me outside. The night was clear and cool, the stars blinking overhead like they knew something was about to happen.

He stopped beneath the tree near the porch.“I had a hundred ways I thought about doing this,” he said. “Fancy places. Big gestures. But none of that’s us.”

My heart skipped. “Max…”

He smiled, eyes crinkling at the corners. “I came home early because I couldn’t stand the idea of you scared and alone. But I also came home because this is where I belong. You’re where I belong.”

He dropped to one knee, pulled out a ring that looked more like love than jewelry, and looked up at me with nothing but certainty in his eyes.

“Tessa Swindle… will you marry me?”

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring everything but him.

“Yes,” I whispered. “Yes, Max. A thousand times, yes. I was crying; I was so happy. I looked at my Dad and knew Momma and Cassie were in his thoughts, too.

Max stood, wrapped me in his arms, and kissed me like we had all the time in the world. The kind of kiss that promised forever.

From the cabin came loud whooping—Nate, of course—and a very unhelpful “About time!” from my dad, before he pulled me in his arms.

Max laughed against my lips. “Remind me to elope with you.”

“Too late. We’ve got witnesses now.”

We walked back in, hand in hand, and they clapped.

Dad pulled me into a hug. “They would have loved Max,” he whispered in my ear.

I nodded if I knew if I spoke, I would cry.

Jake gave Max the kind of handshake that had just enough pressure to say “Don’t screw this up.”

And Nate grinned. “I’m just glad I’m not ready to find myself in a serious relationship.

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s because there aren’t many single women up here.”

He smirked. “Tell me about it.”

Max pulled me close, kissing my temple. “Are you ready to start forever?”

I smiled, leaning into him. “I already started.”