by Brynn Hale
I have to find a way to make it up to him, to show him that I’m going to follow this through. That I’m here for him. He has me now and…
Forever.
Boone
I stay out for the majority of the day. I’m cold and I like it that way. It keeps me from feeling.
I walk up to the cabin and all the lights are off and the inside is dark. I already miss her. I wish I hadn’t gotten so upset about the pictures, but I did and now she’s gone.
I put my trappings off to the side of the door. She was right, the animals come out before a snow. I have enough hides and furs to probably buy a ring.
No, don’t even think it.
I tap off my boots inside the door before I turn on the lights and when I do, I hear a voice.
“I don’t want you thinking I’m an intruder. I’m still here, Boone.”
I spin and there she is. And my home looks different. She’s gone to the shed and brought out all of the decorations and filled the place. And there’s a small fresh tree in the corner.
“How?” I point.
“Well, Sheriff Vacanti wasn’t so happy that I needed him to help me cut it down, but after I told him that I was in love with you, he said it was a Christmas miracle, so he did it.”
I chuckle. “That sap.” I ignore her revelation about her feelings. I need time to figure out what I’m feeling, too.
The tree draws me over. Handmade ornaments from my childhood, big lights from my parents’ first home, and silver and gold bulbs that have tarnished a little in places, but they look amazing against the light green juniper. I inhale deeply, the sharp peppery scent takes me back years to days that are the base of my existence.
I look around and my mother’s set of angels sits on the desk in the corner, one singing, one playing a harp, and one holding a candle, lighting the way.
“I’m sorry, Boone. I promise, I’ll never take a picture of you ever again. Just to have you in the flesh is enough.”
I’m in new territory again. I don’t have to apologize very often. I do what I mean and say what I mean. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have left. I should’ve told you how much I want you to stay.”
“I’m staying.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’ll have to go back into town to finish up my year, but there’s nothing that will keep me from being with you forever, Boone.”
My chest warms and I stare into her eyes. “My last name’s Larimore.”
“Boone Larimore. I like it.”
I cross the room to her. “Daisy Larimore. I like that even more.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t do it.”
“What? Ask you to marry me because I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you, too?”
Her eyes water. “You did it…” Her lips start that motion and I claim her mouth to stop it. She’s never going to finish that movement with me around, ever again.
“Daisy, I love you. I want you to marry me. Say you love me and you will.” I wrap her in my arms and brush a few curls away from her face.
She runs her fingers through my beard and her soft loving gaze traps me. “I do and I will.”
I spend the rest of the day making love to my love. Even if the outside scars never heal, the inside ones have.
Daisy’s my Christmas miracle.
Epilogue
Daisy
Six months later…
“Honey, is the gazebo ready?” I call out while guests file onto the property. Boone wasn’t that excited that I wanted a traditional wedding, but like everything else, we compromised.
Actually, I got my way, with a little womanly persuasion.
“The gazebo is ready.” He grabs my ass and gives a nice tug. “And I’m ready for a second round of what we did this morning.” Boone walks backward toward the front of the house where our wedding is set to take place.
The man is insatiable. I feel like he’s a teenager. And that’s why I’ve had to buy a little larger wedding dress. I rub my stomach. Only a few people know—my bestie Willow, his mountain man friend Kaede, and his boss, because Boone insisted on being at the ultrasound last week. No idea what we’re having. The baby’s healthy and that’s all that matters to us both. But today the thirty guests will know. This dress doesn’t hide any of my curves, just the way he likes it.
Willow slides in next to me. “You ready?” She adjusts the wreath of daisies in my hair.
“Am I crazy?” I ask.
“Yeah. Crazy in love.” She pushes her shoulder into mine. “Are you kidding? I’m so jealous. Boone is amazing and now, this…” She touches my tummy. “You’re blessed, Daisy.”
My mountain man steps to the flower-covered gazebo filling in as an altar and his friend and recently internet-ordained officiant, Wyatt, stands with a Bible in one hand, the other giving Boone a friendly shake of the shoulder.
“I’d like to take a big bite out of that man.” Willow’s gaze travels down the aisle.
The music starts and I don’t have time to ask her who she’s talking about.
“It’s time.” She smiles before turning to walk before me.
I wait for her to get to the front and then I start down the aisle.
It’s time… for forever to start.
~THE END~
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About the Author
Brynn Hale is a Midwest girl who can spot--and swoon over--a hard-working guy a mile away. She believes in winks across a crowded room, guys who do the dishes, a blue-collar alpha will always win a heroine's heart, and a martini or craft beer is the perfect accompaniment to her stories.
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Also by Brynn Hale
Brynn Hale Books
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DIAMOND RIDGE MOUNTAIN MEN SERIES
Kaede: Diamond Ridge Mountain Men
An Alpha, Curvy Woman, Instalove, Christmas Romance
Willow
I need this holiday weekend at a cabin in the woods. I think my GPS seriously messed up this time. The mountain man roars that this is his bed. But I recognize those blue eyes.
Will this end up being the best wrong turn I’ve ever taken?
Kaede
She cleaned my house. But also she broke into my house to do it. And now she’s sleeping in my bed. She’s a sassy woodland fairy, I can’t get out of my mind.
Will I go crazy with her or without her?
If you like steamy, happily-ever-after, short stories with rough-around-the-edges guys and sassy, confident women, then this book is for you. NO Cliffhangers and NO cheating.
Wyatt: Diamond Ridge Mountain Men
An Alpha, Curvy Woman, Instalove, Christmas Romance
Raine
My sister ditched our plans to spend Christmas at the family cabin. That doesn’t stop me from going anyway. I arrive, and there’s smoke coming out of the chimney. And a man’s making breakfast in my kitchen!
Who is this mountain man living in my cabin?
Wyatt
All I wanted was some bacon and pancakes. But instead I get some strange woman yelling for me to get out. It’s not her cabin—it’s mine. When she calls the police, it’s my brother who arrives to arrest her.
What if I let her stay? Will I be tempted or will I be tortured?
If you like steamy, happily-ever-after, short stories with rough-around-the-edges guys and sassy, confident women, then this book is for you. NO Cliffhangers and NO cheating.
Boone: Diamond Ridge Mountain Men
An Alpha, Curvy Woman, Instalove,
Christmas Romance
Daisy
I need a few more pictures for my nature book. But soon I’m lost in the woods. And there’s a bear. With a belt buckle?
This is no bear… this is a beast of a man.
Boone
I wanted to check my traps before the snowstorm. But then she faints. And I’m stuck taking her home. What will I do with her?
The real question is: What won’t I do to her?
If you like steamy, happily-ever-after, short stories with rough-around-the-edges guys and sassy, confident women, then this book is for you. NO Cliffhangers and NO cheating.
GRAFFITI STREET BAD BOYS SERIES
The Graffiti Street Bad Boys series from Brynn Hale. Bringing blue-collar bad boys and curvy women together in a hot, quick, & colorful way.
Cece Rollins
I can’t be falling for a man who stole my car in high school. It’s crazy, right? Plus, with opening a business, my controlling ex, and taking care of my daughter, I can’t deal with more. But when it comes to Dane Drake, my heart does the talking and I have to listen.
Dane “Hemi” Drake
When the past comes walking into a bar wearing red heels and curves that I’d like to ride on forever, I’m a goner. She comes with a past, we all do. I just need to show her that her past isn’t our future. I’m gonna steal her heart this time.
Hemi: Graffiti Boys 1 is an instalove, happily-ever-after, STEAMY, single mom romance. NO cliffhangers, NO cheating. This is a standalone story part of the GRAFFITI BOYS series.
Coming next. Please sign up for my newsletter to find out when.
The Graffiti Street Bad Boys series from Brynn Hale. Bringing blue-collar bad boys and curvy women together in a hot, quick, & colorful way.
Ella Tremble
My curves aren’t every man’s dream and I know that. And I’m definitely not the kind of girl he dates. And I come with kids and a jerk of a boss. But when it comes to Zale, I get drunk on his love.
Zale Carter
Every Thursday she comes into my bar. This Thursday, I’m making my moves and Ella will be mine. But if she wants more kids, that’s not happening, and it’s not why people think. I’m mixing up a recipe for love.
Zale: Graffiti Boys 2 is an instalove, happily-ever-after, STEAMY, single mom romance. NO cliffhangers, NO cheating. This is a standalone story part of the GRAFFITI BOYS series.
COMING IN 2020
PEACOCK RIDGE COWBOYS
Alpha cowboy, curvy women, steamy instalove romances.
