Page 101 of Mountain Defender

“No.” Rory takes both my hands in hers. “I’m good. I wasn’t sure, coming here, but it’s okay. More than okay. It’s nice to actually enjoy all the events the town puts on instead of hiding at home, wishing I had the courage to go.”

“Ror.”

“It’s fine, Gage. Really. Now I’m here. With you. And your—our—friends. The weather is beautiful, there’s tons of delicious food to try… I couldn’t be happier. I promise.”

Some of my worry dissipates. “What is it, then?”

“As we were talking to Enzo and Winter, and you said you hadn’t met the right person yet, it got me thinking.” She stops. “Well. I’ve thought about it before. But now…”

“What, baby?”

Her gaze meets mine, so filled with love it makes my heart roll over. “I think everything that happens in our life leads us someplace we’re supposed to be. Even the bad things. The hard things. The things we don’t know if we can get through.”

“Rory.”

“Before, I thought I was content. I had my house. The dogs. Isla. I thought it was enough. Then I met you, and it made me wish for more.”

Emotion swells in my chest. “I know what you mean.”

“I’ll always miss my parents,” she continues. “And I’ll never be the person I would have been had they not died. I’ll always be different because of what happened with Mavers and Ford and Wade. But.”

“But?”

“But that’s okay.” Moisture shines in her eyes. “Because everything that happened brought me here. To Bliss. To you. To the man I love with all my heart.”

My nose burns. “Rory. I love you, too.”

“I just want you to know, Gage. I’m so happy. Happier than I ever thought I could be. And it’s because of you.”

A lump gets stuck in my throat, stopping me from speaking for a moment.

My love for Rory is so big, so intense, so all-encompassing, I can’t feel anything other than it. Swallowing hard, I say, “You’re right, Ror. You’re so right. It was a long, hard journey to get here. But this is exactly where I want to be. Where I’m supposed to be. With you.”

Rory frames my face with her hands. Leans in. Her mouth covers mine, tender at first, then gently nipping and teasing. My arms come around her, holding her close.

She’s a perfect fit.

And she’s right. I’ve never been happier.

When we break apart, I stroke her cheek. Trail my fingers across the pink line on her jaw. Not a scar, but a symbol of her strength. A reminder of how precious life is.

My voice goes rough as I say, “Thank you, Rory.”

Her brows pinch together. “For what?”

“For showing me what love really means. For making me so damn happy. And for loving me, flaws and all.”

“Gage. Don’t you know? I think you’re absolutely perfect. And I think…” She presses her lips to mine. “No. Iknow. We’re perfect together.”

Oh.

My Rory.

My heart.

“You’re right. Weareperfect together.”

And one day, when the time is right, I’ll make Rory my wife.