Page 421 of On A Manhunt: Complete Series

LUKE

“Well, folks, it seems our bachelorette has chosen bachelor number three! It didn’t go quite as planned, but this is the Wild Wild West after all! A special thanks to Hunter Valley, Montana for hosting this episode. I’m Jax Johnson and I’ll see you next time with more Cowboy Goes A Courtin’!”

I didn’t stop kissing Aspen while the host wrapped up the show. I didn’t stop kissing her when he said, “Show’s over. You can come up for air now.”

I didn’t stop kissing her until a young voice said, “Mom, everyone’s staring.”

I felt Aspen smile against my lips before we pulled back. Her eyes held mine for just a moment before she looked away.

Yeah, everyone was staring.

Sierra, my parents with Mrs. Waddle, Mallory, Georgia, Theo, even Clay and Brandon.

I couldn’t help but grin and wrapped my arm around Aspen’s shoulder.

“I should say I’m sorry, but I’m not,” I admitted. I looked to Clay and Brandon. “No hard feelings?”

Fortunately, they were smiling, not ready to punch me in the face. I deserved it and I’d take it because I wasn’t giving Aspen up.

“Nah, congrats,” Clay said.

Brandon came over, shook my hand and smacked me on the shoulder. When he winked at Aspen, I growled, making him laugh.

Sierra launched herself at her mother, wrapping her in a hug. Aspen leaned down, kissed the top of her head.

“Hey Champ,” I said to her. “How was hockey camp?”

Her little face lit up as she answered. “Awesome. I’ve got to tell you all about the zone defense drills.”

“It’s nice to meet you, honey,” Momma said, coming up and squeezing Aspen’s shoulder. “I brought Luke’s baby book so when you’re ready, I’ll show you those photos.”

“Maybe we’ll save them for when she and Sierra come to visit,” Dad said.

Theo stepped close and gave me a look I couldn’t interpret. Did he have his scalpels in his pocket? “When you make things right, you don’t skimp,” he commented, shaking his head.

“Oh my God, that was insane!” Mallory said, her hands waving about. “I can’t believe you did that. I mean, when I said open yourself up to love, Aspen, I didn’t mean on live TV!”

Aspen blushed.

“I’m not sure if the producers are going to ever come back to Montana. But my job is done. The Hunter Valley show will not be something anyone forgets!” Georgia said with a laugh.

“Let’s go celebrate,” Mallory said.

I looked to Aspen, who was still smiling but a little shell shocked.

“I think the lovebirds might want to celebrate by themselves for a little bit,” Mrs. Waddle commented. “Sierra, you can come with me and help me make dinner for our new friends, Mr. and Mrs. Graham.”

“Okay, but did you find the bulldog rock without me, Mom?” Sierra asked. “I wanna go see it.”

Aspen cocked her head. “No, we didn’t go look for it again.”

“We can go this week,” I added, making it clear I was sticking around.

“Bulldog rock?” Mrs. Waddle asked.

Sierra looked up at the older woman and nodded. “Yeah, Granny Waddle. Mom found it and lost it and now I want to see it.”

“Oh, I know that rock. It looks just like a bulldog, too,” Mrs. Waddle commented.

Aspen’s eyes widened. “You know the bulldog rock?”

Mrs. Waddle looked surprised. “Of course! Mr. Waddle and I picnicked at that rock. I think our first child was conceived on top of it. That’s how a cowboy courted back in my day.”

My mouth fell open, then I laughed because… wow.

“Where is it?” Sierra asked, thankfully not asking what conceived meant. “Can we go see it together?”

“Anytime you want,” Mrs. Waddle told her. “I know exactly where it is.”

Aspen looked to me, biting her lip so she didn’t laugh. Her landlady, her adopted grandmother, and dear friend, had known its location all along.

“I want to see this rock, too,” Mallory added. “I’ve lived here my whole life and never heard of it.”

A group discussion began about the rock, and I had enough.

I needed Aspen to myself. I may have declared myself and my intentions on live TV, but I had to tell her how I felt.

What I wanted. Alone. Taking her hand, I tugged her off the stage and away from the crazy group of people we called family and friends.