Page 71 of The Maverick's Forever Home

He was too stunned to respond right away.She was saying all the things he’d dreamed she’d someday say.But this wasn’t a dream.She was here—holding his hand.“You’re sure about this?”He blew out a deep breath.“Losing you… I don’t know if I can handle that kind of pain again.”

Maggie’s hands cradled his face.“I’m so sorry, Braden.And I’m so grateful to you, too.If you hadn’t come along, I’d never have known what real love is.”

“But now you do?Because you love me?”His words were gruff and thick.

She nodded.“I love you.”She pressed a kiss to his lips.“I love you so much.”

Braden’s arms came around her.“I love you.”He held her, tight, against him and buried his nose in her hair.“And, damn, but I’ve missed you.”

“And I’ve missed you.”She clung to him.“You and Delilah and all of us being together.I love our family, Braden.I want to share every day with you.I want what you want—a future together.”

He held on to her until the ache was gone.It took a while, but she never pushed against him or complained.She held on just as tightly.When he did ease his hold on her, he took his time tracing the features of her face.

“Do you think we will have more kids?”Maggie nibbled on her lower lip.“Cody and Delilah have already asked me this, you see.”

“They’ve asked me, too.”He shook his head.“If you’re okay with it, after we get married, I’d like to have more kids.”He hoped they’d have lots of curls and big green eyes just like hers.“As to when we get married… The ring isin that drawer, over there.”He nodded at the old wooden desk against the far wall of the barn.“I’d been planning on proposing that night—when you called me over for Cody.”

“You already bought a ring?”Her surprise was adorable.

“I did.Like I said, I know what I want.”He held on to one hand and led her to the desk.After he’d fished the box out, he held it out to her.“And that’s you.”

She stared at it.

“Hold up.”He let go of her and dropped to one knee.“Maggie Cooper, I love you.I’ll make mistakes and frustrate you every once in a while, but I’ll make sure you never doubt my love or loyalty to you.Will you marry me and let me love you for the rest of your life?”

“I will.Absolutely.”She dropped down onto her knees, too.“Definitely.In case it’s not clear, my answer is yes.It’s a big,bigyes.”

He slipped the ring on her finger.Watching the pleasure on her face as she wiggled her fingers and stared down at the ring was one of the prettiest things he’d ever seen.So was the love in her eyes when she gazed back at him.And just like that, his heart was whole.

“You and Cody, me and Delilah will be a family.”He helped her up, dusted the hay from her knees and grabbed her hand.“Our own mini Brady Bunch.”

“Mini Brady Bunch?I like that.”She giggled.“I can’t wait to tell them.I have a feeling they will approve.”

He smoothed her hair from her face.“They knew we’d be a family before we figured it out.”

“They did.Let’s go tell them.”But first she tilted her face up for another kiss.“Are we still going to the football game tonight?”

“Are you going to hold my hand and share a blanket with me?”He kissed her again.

“Always.”She was smiling just as much as he was.

“Always.”He traced the curve of her cheek with his thumb.“I like the sound of that.”

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