Page 95 of Warrant

“I didn’t propose, Mom,” I told her.

“May as well have,” Dad said with a wink. “Considering you don’t usually bring ladies home, we’re taking this as a sign.”

Chuckling, I shook my head as Mom ignored me completely and dragged Ainsley and her parents off to show them around.

My family had finished up the annual cattle drive a couple days after the dust had settled. Honestly, I’d been glad they were out of danger while everything was going on. Even my oldest brother’s wife had left town with their baby to visit family. It meant I’d only had to worry about Ainsley during that time, and my woman knew how to take care of herself.

Now they were all home and ready to celebrate a successful drive and the news that I had an old lady. But really this party was for the new sheriff of Sentinel.

Granted he was just ‘taking over’ until the new election, but I had a feeling we’d all convince him to run this time.

“There you are, fucker,” I said as Owen walked up. “You were almost late for your own damn party.”

Owen scowled at me. “Didn’t realize how much paperwork there was when you were the damn sheriff.”

“Can’t you just pass that on to your deputies?” I asked. “I seem to remember Denison doing that often.”

“Yeah well, I’m not a shitbag like Denison. I can do my own paperwork.”

Reaching out, I shook my best friend’s hand. “Congrats on the promotion. I’m damn happy for you.”

“Congrats on the relationship,” he replied with a grin. “I can’t believe she’s taking your crazy ass on.”

“And you thought I was going to get your ass canned by hitting on your boss,” I said with a snort. “You owe me.”

“For what?” he asked in disbelief.

“I got you promoted.”

“The fuck you did.”

We walked over to where my MC brothers were standing around a fire pit with my other family. It was completely natural to see them all together, but now we had Ainsley and her parents there with us as well.

Going over, I tucked her up under my arm and listened as this group of people I considered mine drank and laughed together.

This shit with the Iron Circle Crew wasn’t over yet, but I pushed thoughts of them from my mind. We’d find them and make sure they didn’t become a problem. But that was for the future. For now, I just wanted to enjoy the night with the people I loved. The people I’d do anything for.

Dipping my head down, I kissed my sheriff, ignoring the way everyone whooped at us. This was just the beginning of my life with Ainsley. We’d both have some adjustments, but I’d found the woman I loved and I wasn’t letting her go anytime soon. She’d signed up for a life with me. Whether she was fully prepared for what that entailed wasn’t my problem. My job was to love her right, keep her happy, and ensure her safety. Everything else we’d figure out along the way.