Page 160 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Luther

With my future wife’s hand in mine, I push open the back door of the bar, and we walk in together.

Ashley lets out a squeal as she bounces over, throwing her arms around Kendra.

“Ashley?” Kendra hugs her back.

“I’m so excited!” Ashley keeps bouncing. “Can I be your flower girl?” She finally lets Kendra go but only steps back a few inches.

Kendra looks stunned.

I rest a hand on Kendra’s shoulder. “Ashley, give your new mother some room.”

That snaps her out of it.

Kendra gapes at me.

Ashley cackles.

And Jessie calls for a round of shots.

I watch Kendra take it all in. Watch as she realizes.

Jessie on the customer side of the bar.

Ashley’s boyfriend.

Courtney, Sterling, and their baby.

The guys from Black Mountain Lodge.

The guys from Joe’s Furniture.

Doug.

Kendra tips her head back, locking eyes with me. “You did this?”

I pull her into my side. “You won’t get a long engagement, but I’ll make it a good one.”

She grins. “Promise?”

I snag a shot of tequila and hand it to her. “Promise.”

We tip our drinks back together. And we take the matching bottles of beer when Jessie hands them to us.

We make our way through the crowd.

We take the drinks handed to us.

And with her hand in mine.

I know.

I know this is what I’ve been waiting for.

I know Kendra is all I’ll ever want.

I know she’s all I’ll ever need.

Hours later, Kendra leans against my side as I lean against the bar.

I grip her hip, holding her there, and press a kiss to her hair.

Food has been eaten.

Drinks consumed.

Brownies shared.

The room sways pleasantly around us.

I kiss her hair again. “You ready to go to our room, Baby?”

She turns into me, pressing a hand to my chest. “Yes, Daddy.”

Heat pulses down my spine.

“Nope!” Joe yells loudly from close by.

Kendra slaps a hand over her mouth.

“Nope. Nope. Nope.” Joe holds his hands up as he walks away from us, shaking his head.

I can’t help it.

I laugh. Loudly.

“I can’t believe he heard me say that.” Kendra pokes me in the ribs. “I didn’t know he was standing there.”

“It was bound to happen.” I capture her hand. “Now come on, future wife, it’s time for bed.”

We wave our goodbyes.

We walk out the door together.

And I smile.

We enter the room.

We reach for each other.

And I’m still smiling.

She takes off my shirt.

I pull off her dress.

And I can’t stop smiling.

She comes undone beneath me.

I lose myself above her.

And I know.

With her.

I’ll never stop smiling.