Page 84

EPILOGUE

A Little Later

THE TWO WERE ENJOYING a meal together—a much needed meal.

“We’re going to have lots of children,” Paulina said matter of factly, nodding her head.

Broderick stopped mid-chew. “How many exactly, is a lot?”

“At least seven.”

“Seven? How long have you been sitting on that surprise?”

“Not long. It just came to me.”

“Perhaps we should wait to see how the first one goes and then decide on a number?”

“Broderick, that is far too reasonable for people like us,” she chided.

“People like us?”

“You know, impulsive people. Follow-your-heart people. Within a couple of days of knowing each other I bought your horse and you asked me to marry you.”

“Now hang on a second, you didn’t buy my horse.”

“Bought, borrowed, bridal-ed into.” She waved her hand in the air. “It’s all the same now because we’re married.”

Broderick coughed. “Right well, we can discuss when and how often you can ride him.”

“You’re so generous. That’s just one of the reasons why I love you.”

Paulina watched as he breathed out a sigh of relief and a small smile played at his lips.

“You’ve been waiting for those words, haven’t you?” she teased him.

When he gave her a curious look, realization dawned. “You’ve been saving those three little words, haven’t you?”

She gave a guilty nod. And before she could even giggle, he pushed back his chair and lifted her to his shoulders. “You’ll pay for that.”

And he strode upstairs, back to their room.

So much for their meal.

Paulina squealed the whole way. Her smile was big, but the smile of her heart was even bigger.

And she loved that it wasn’t about Providence so much as it was providence that she met him—Broderick, her redeemed rake. They always make the best husbands, so she had heard. He was the man she loved and would choose to love for the rest of her life.