Page 86 of Truly

“What?”

He sighs. “I’m not walking away from you again, Laina. Even if you take me to the edges of the earth and demand we stay there, I’ll pack your favorite snacks.”

“Oh, Luke …”

“We can’t have all the answers right now because, like you said, we can’t predict everything that will come at us. But that’s the thing—it’ll be comingat us. Not you. Not me.Us.”

I blink back tears.

“My world has never felt righter than it has these past two weeks,” he says. “And it’s not just having you around that’s made it so amazing. It’s being able to make you smile. To hear your laughter. To do little things that make your eyes light up.”

“Why are you so good to me?”

He grins. “Because you’re my girl. My life began the day I met you, and the only way it makes sense is when we’re together.”

“But what about me having to be gone so much? I have to leave Monday.”

“Then you go and work and have a ball. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you need me, I’m a phone call away.”

My throat is sticky with emotion. “And what about all the changes around here?”

“As long as they come with a new closet for your shit, I’ll manage.”

I laugh. It grows louder as relief and joy spread through me.

“Anything else you want to cover?” he asks.

I stare at the barn and consider what our future will look like. I still want to make music. It’s a huge part of who I am. But I also want to spend afternoons in the barn, mornings folding clothes, and late nights eating pizza in bed and listening to Luke’s stories. I want to watch my man work and learn more about his business. I want to be a champion of his life like he is mine.

It can happen.

I don’t know much, but I know this much is true—love is real. It’s good. Love doesn’t hurt you or try to shrink you. It waters your seeds and shines light so you can grow. It’s everything I read about in books. I didn’t think that was possible. But I know, thanks to the love of a sexy, green-eyed, tattooed farrier who has the key to my heart.

“That was the best damn State of the Union speech I’ve ever heard,” Luke says, grinning. “But can we get to the promises of illicit activities part of it? I really want to use that rope again.”

My stomach flutters. “How about this …”

He reaches for me and brings my mouth to his. The kiss is just like Luke. It’s strong, yet soft. Sweet, yet … not. It holds promises for the future while not missing a beat now.

Luke Marshall proves one thing—true love never ends.

Now that I’ve found it again, I’m never letting it,never letting Luke, go.

EPILOGUE

Laina

Six months later…

“Hey, Laina! Do you still have my pink boots?” Kennedy calls from Maggie’s mudroom.

“Yikes. I think so. Do you need them?” I ask.

She pokes her head around the corner and grins. “Not until this weekend. Dad finally agreed to let me go to a party, but only because Megan intervened on my behalf. But it’s behind one of my friend’s houses. It’s supposed to rain the day before, so I thought boots might be smart.”

“Yours smell like horse shit.” I wince. “How about this. I’ll buy you a pair and have them shipped to your house by Friday?”

“Yes!” she says. “I freaking love you, Laina.”