Zane (Keepers Of The Lake Book 6)
Page 14
She lifted the camera to show him the pictures.
“You tricky vixen,” Zane said, punctuating it with a whistle. “You could have gotten my good side, though.”
“Every side is your good side,” she said and pulled him into another long kiss.
Time always slipped away while they were together. It was so easy to let go and just be, something she hadn’t been able to do before. Alcohol had filled her restless moments before. It had numbed her to the pain of thinking she was unlovable.
Zane made sure she knew just how much value she had all on her own. She didn’t need to numb herself anymore. She didn’t have to think about all the things she’d messed up or all the ways the universe had failed her, because she had moved on. Life had brought something new and exciting to her.
A promise.
Happiness for the rest of her life. No matter what came her way, she had Zane and the clan by her side. They could do anything together. Like give local tourism a boost.
“I can see it now,” Chelsea said as she hopped into the truck. “Someone is going to commission a stuffed animal version of you. I wonder what the town will call you. There’s Nessie and Champ, but I’m not sure anyone can come up with something witty from Lake Michigan.”
He snorted. “As long as they don’t call me Mitch.”
“Mitch, the Lake Michigan Monster. I’m coining it now.”
“Keep it up,” Zane warned playfully, “and we won’t stop by the coffee shop before work.”
Chelsea pouted, but Zane was the one who would miss out because she would just have to go to another coffee shop once she got to work anyway. He was punishing himself, really.
There was a long beat of silence in which Zane must have figured that out on his own. Then he asked, “Have you heard more about your Ex’s wedding?”
She let out her trademark snorting laugh. “I blocked that loser’s number once and for all. I don’t need him. No more leeching off of him for me. All ties are cut.”
Her words warmed his chest. Chelsea was facing her future with her head high. She had hope now, and he liked to believe he had something to do with that, because she had done the same for him. Pride swelled inside him. Loving her was more than he ever could have asked for. She was his champion, the bravest soul he knew. She would scoff if he ever said it to her, but it was true.
He couldn’t believe his luck. His world was whole again. The clan was stronger and happier than ever. With them and Chelsea, he had a family. He had happiness.
Coming Soon!
More By Emilia Hartley
Thank you!
If you enjoyed my writing, I’d like to invite you to sign up for my email list and receive book 1 of my Best-Selling Mountain Wolf Protectors Series FREE! Also, by signing up for my email list, you’ll be first to know when I release a brand-new book!
>> Get your free book here <<