Page 117 of Rescued Dreams

It worked.He’d successfully distracted her. “You’ll get used to the feeling of being safe. In the meantime, I’ll be here when you do and when you don’t. I’m happy to be of service.”

“So selfless.”

“I really am.”

Amelia laughed again.

“You have a great laugh.”

“I like your smile.”

“Yeah?” He lifted his brows. “What else?”

“I feel like I’m going to be rolling my eyes a lot when I’m around you.”

“As long as you’re happy.” He ran his thumb over the back of her hand.

“We technically can’t date still, until we’re the same rank. We’ll have to keep it light and breezy until then. After I pass the test, we can make it official.”

Ridge said, “That’ll be good because by then I’ll be all the way in love with you, not just falling for you.”

He heard her breath catch in her throat. Her eyes widened, a whole lot of wonder in her gaze. Ridge was going to do his utmost to keep that look in her eyes as often as he could.

“You’re beautiful,” he said. “You’re an amazing firefighter, a great boss, and the strongest person I know.” If she brought that strength and intentionality to marriage and a family, her husband would be a blessed man. “You deserve the world. Everything you’ve ever dreamed of. And I want to be the one to give it to you.”

A tear rolled down her cheek. She touched his cheek like she didn’t even notice, then touched her lips to his. Ridge tilted his head to the side and captured her kiss, savoring it. Settling into the moment, like he had all the time in the world.

Maybe even forever.

Thank You.

God had drawn her to Himself, and He would continue to do that as Amelia chose to seek Him. He prayed she would even commit to following Him one day. Soon. That they could get married in front of God and their loved ones. Probably in the forecourt of the firehouse.

She leaned back a fraction. “I’m already in love with you. I have been for a while.”

Ridge didn’t want to seemtooself-satisfied hearing that, but…

She rolled her eyes.

He laughed. “If someone as amazing as you can fall in love with me, then maybe I might be worth sticking around for.”

She blinked, shaking her head like she couldn’t believe he’d said that. “You have so much love in you. Your family is amazing, and everyone at the firehouse thinks you’re great. You saved my life. More than once, actually. You go all out for the people you love. I never believed I’d have someone like you in my life. It feels like a dream. Something else I guess I’ll have to get used to.”

“We’ve got all the time we need.”

She nodded, looking so beautiful he couldn’t believe it.

He wanted to pull her against his chest, but that would be a bad idea. Instead, he settled for her snuggling up on the blanket beside him so they could hold hands and whisper about the future. Talking about anything and nothing, dreaming some more.

Because God had given them the desires of their hearts.

Now it was time to dream even bigger.

EPILOGUE

ONE MONTH LATER

Amelia slid the baking tray of cookies out of the oven in the firehouse kitchen. Ridge had taught her how to make his chocolate banana cookies, so cakey they were amazing. She was more than obsessed and figured she’d make them for the firehouse Thanksgiving party.