“Maybe, but that’s the best part about being forgiven. You don’t have to deserve it,” she answered.
“Regardless, thank you. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry again, and again.” He ran his fingers through his hair.
“I learned something too this week.” Harper tapped the wooden floor with the toe of her boot.
“Oh?”
“When I saw you in bed shaking like a leaf...it was sobering. I mean, that could have been me. So easily. Yet, here I am, years later on the other side and still running scared.” She gave a frustrated snort. “Sterling, you taught me how to run to something, not away. And what I need to know is if you’re done running too.” She took a small step toward him, her green eyes darting down to the ground before meeting his once more. “I’ve never been more terrified than I have been in this past week, not for myself, but for you. Because you have some choices ahead of you, and each one affects your future, and as much as it freaks the hell out of me, it affects mine too. So, what is it going to be? What are you going to run to, Sterling? Because if it’s anything other than me, I swear I’ll—”
Sterling cut off her threat with a kiss, losing himself in her soft lips, the sweet and spicy scent of lemon and cinnamon clinging to her skin combining with the minty flavor of her mouth. Harper pressed into the kiss, her lips as eager as his as they danced together. Her tongue flicked against his, then retreated as she tugged on his lower lip playfully, eliciting a groan from deep within him.
If he didn’t stop now, they were going to give Margaret a show.
Easing back, he pressed his forehead against hers, inhaling every breath she let go, wanting every part of her mixed with his. “I love you so damn much. I swear, if I have to live without you, it might kill me,” he confessed. “But I’d let you go, Harper. I would, because I know you deserve someone so much better than—”
It was her turn to complete his words with a kiss, and after she seared her love over his mouth, she pulled away, confessing it with her voice. “I love you too. Don’t you ever scare me again like you did this past week. We clear?”
Sterling tenderly kissed her nose. “Understood.”
“Now, since that’s all settled...” She backed up and looked him over. “...what’s next?”
Sterling sucked in a calming breath, knowing they needed to talk. There was time for coming together later. Someone up above must have been looking out for him. “Cyler agreed to hire me, saying I needed to get my ass out of the house and do something so I didn’t wallow, though I think Laken might have added a few words in here or there.”
Harper giggled softly, the harsh edge to her expression long gone.
“And he has his crew members routinely drug tested. So, I’ll be held accountable with that. I’m not going to expect that I won’t be tempted, Harper. I’m going into this with eyes wide open.” He traced the line down her cheek to her chin.
“Good.”
“And I’m going to stay here for the next year or so, just to make sure I’m doing what I need to, and they’re going to routinely test me here as well.”
“So far the plan sounds solid.” Harper reached down and grasped his hands.
He grinned. “The best part is that in about eight months I’m going to be an uncle too.”
Harper’s face broke out into a huge grin. “No way! Does Kessed know?”
“Yeah, but I think everyone’s sworn to secrecy till she’s a little further along.”
“Is Cyler freaking out?”
Sterling chuckled. “He’s—what did you call it?—peacocking?”
“Ha! I bet he is. He has a reason to!” Harper laughed, the sound the most relaxing thing Sterling had ever heard.
“I think that’s all. It’s mostly just one day at a time.” He sobered, squeezing her hand.
“One day at a time. I think I can manage that.” Harper rose on her toes and brushed a featherlight kiss across his lips, driving him mad with wanting her. “As long as each day means we do this together.”
Sterling drew back, wanting her to read the sincerity in his gaze. “Together. That’s a future worth living for.”
Harper kissed him once again, and he reveled in the tenderness, thankful that this wasn’t a kiss that meant goodbye.
It was a kiss that was in a long list of many to come.
EPILOGUE
“Damn.”
The bridesmaid next to her swore as Harper gripped the bouquet with both hands; then with a triumphant squeal she fist-pumped it in the air, her eyes landing on Sterling.
He gave her a wink as his dove-gray suit highlighted the steel color of his irises, sending shivers up her back and making her want to leave the wedding reception early.
Except it was her brother’s wedding. Someone would notice if she was gone.
Damn it.
Sterling sauntered over to her, his limp giving him a sexy swagger that he didn’t even realize. “That’s my girl.” He studied the bouquet, offering his hand in a high five.
“Skills,” Harper said.
“You know what this means, right?” Sterling asked, studying the flowers and then glancing up to meet her eyes.
“It means I win,” she deliberately taunted, knowing what he was getting at, but wanting to play.
“It means that you’re next,” Sterling corrected, his hand slowly caressing her waist as he drew her in close.
“If you’re lucky.” She gave a daring grin.
It had been an amazing two weeks, a time of healing, growth, and a lot of hard realizations.
Sterling had started working on one of Cyler’s construction crews, and had signed up with a local therapy group that helped people deal with opioid addiction.
It had been a difficult decision, but Harper had signed up as well.
As the music played over the speakers, Sterling tugged on her hand, drawing her attention back to the present. “Have I told you how stunning you look in that purple dress?” he crooned as he murmured the words in her ear.
Shivers of pleasure danced up her spine. “A few times. And technically, it’s lavender.”
“All I’m doing is imagining all the ways I can take it off.”
Harper pulled back, meeting his scorching gaze. “It’s one of those dresses that require nothing underneath.”
Sterling groaned, pressing his head against hers as they swayed side to side with the music. “Killing me here.”
“Good.”
Sterling chuckled, the sound echoing of freedom. “I love you, Harper Matthews.”
“I love you, Sterling Garlington,” Harper echoed, the words resonating deep in her soul.
Sterling twirled her then glanced over her shoulder, grinning. “Follow me.” He took her hand and led her outside of the white tent that held Jasper and Kessed’s reception party.
The fall air was crisp, and the stars scattered across the night sky as Sterling led her just far enough away for the music to be softly playing in the background, the sounds of the party fading.
“So, I’ve been thinking.” He frowned slightly, caressing her fingers with his while he spoke. “There’s something that’s just not quite right.”
Old insecurities tickled her mind before she pushed them away. Finding her center, her strength, she studied Sterling, trusting his love.
He’d fought for it.
He’d fought for her.
He wasn’t going to stop doing that.
So, she waited.
“Your name...it’s missing something.” His gray eyes were almost silver in the moonlight, the fierceness in his expression powerful, stealing her breath. “I just think it would sound so much better if your first name had my last name behind it.”
Something cool pressed into her hand, and she glanced down, her gaze flickering over to Sterling as he knelt on one knee.
“There is nothing or no one in this world that I love more than you, Harper Matthews. You’ve seen me at my worst, and you’ve loved me when I didn’t deserve even your pity. Every day I wake up thinking about you, and every night your name is a prayer on my lips. I don’t deserve you, but I swear I’ll love you, think of you first, give my life for you if that’s what it takes, because I love you unconditionally, without reservation, and more than I could ever say. Please, marry me?”
Harper’s heart pounded with each syllable from his lips. The sincerity in his eyes even more powerful than his words. This man, who had fought for every inch of his life, who was strong enough to admit when he was weak, who was willing to declare when he was wrong, who loved her more than she’d ever been loved, wanted her.
Needed her.
Just like she needed him.
Like air.
“Yes, Captain, my captain.”
Sterling’s response was immediate and enthusiastic as he rose and met her lips, kissing her deeply, joyfully, with utter abandon as the flavor of the passion was salted with her tears of joy.
He rested his head against hers. “Thank you.”
Giggling softly, she sniffed and brushed a tear away from her jaw. “So wasn’t expecting this tonight.”
“I like to catch you off guard,” Sterling teased then took the box from her hand and opened it, showing her the ring that would circle her finger.
An emerald-cut diamond was seated in white gold, and he plucked it gently from the velvet case and slid it on her finger.
At her questioning gaze, he shrugged. “Kessed measured for me.”
“So that was why she wanted me to try on her ring!” Harper said, surprised.
Earlier that week Kessed had asked her to put on her engagement ring, saying she wanted to see what it would look like on stage. So she had her back up and wave her finger around. It had been utterly ridiculous, but Harper had played along, thinking it was some weird wedding quirk of Kessed’s.
Now it made sense.
The sneak.
That meant that Jasper had known too!
“Jasper?” Harper asked.
Sterling gave her a wry expression. “Asked permission first. I figured he’d shoot first and ask questions later if I didn’t.”
“Wise move.”
“I’m learning.”
“Wow.” Harper grinned, her face aching from the extent of her smile.
“We should probably go tell Kessed and Jasper. They’re waiting.” Sterling tugged on her hand, caressing the ringed finger softly and lingering over the beautiful stone.
“Kessed won’t mind since it’s her wedding?” Harper asked, concerned.
Sterling kissed her nose. “Honey, she was thrilled to have a front row seat.”
Harper rose on her tiptoes, kissing him lightly on the lips, savoring the man that was hers, forever.
“I love you.”
Sterling squeezed her hand tightly as they started back toward the reception tent.
“I love you more.”
A stubborn cowboy has sworn never to forgive or forget—but one special woman may find a way to change his mind…
Hospice nurse Laken Garlington helps people face the end with peace and dignity, surrounded by their loved ones. But the son of her new patient didn’t come home to reunite with his dad. So why is Cyler Myer back in horse country? It’s clear the sexy, six-three hunk with the steely eyes has a score to settle, and Laken doesn’t plan on being collateral damage…no matter how irresistible she finds the prodigal cowboy.
Dying is too good for the father Cyler will never forgive—not in this lifetime.
Showing up at his family’s Washington State ranch is the first step in his plan. But revenge takes a back seat to desire when Cyler meets a bossy beauty who arouses feelings he isn’t ready to face. As they work together to save an ailing mare, Cyler realizes he must decide where his true destiny lies. With darkness…or with the woman who offers the promise of redemption with every kiss.
Nothing like a wedding to get a girl dreaming of happily-ever-after…
Kessed Ling’s best friend’s big day is finally here. It’s especially exciting because it’s Kessed’s chance to show her childhood crush she’s not just a young bridesmaid, she’s a full-grown woman—with red hot desires. But when her long-awaited prey barely blinks an eye at her, Kessed retreats right back into her deeply guarded heart. Doesn’t matter that chivalrous Jasper Matthews steps in and offers a shoulder to lean on. Kessed is no longer in the market for a man, despite how unsettled the strong, silent groomsman makes her feel…
As a veterinarian, Jasper better understands a skittish filly than he does willful Kessed Ling. But when fate finds him playing ranch hand alongside the raven-haired beauty, Jasper realizes she’s a woman running scared—and he’s just the man to tame her. So with soothing words and bold kisses, Jasper sets out to show Kessed how good it can be between a man and a woman. Especially when the man is falling hard and fast in love…
About the Author
Kristin Vayden is the author of twenty books and anthologies. She is an acquisitions editor for a boutique publishing house, and helps mentor new authors. Her passion for writing started young, but it was only after her sister encouraged her to write did she fully realize the joy and exhilaration of writing a book. Her books have been featured in many places, including the Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family show.
You can find Kristin at her website, http://kristinvayden.weebly.com, on FB as www.facebook.com/kristinvaydenauthor or on Twitter: @KristinVayden.
The Cowgirl Meets Her Match (Elk Heights Ranch) Page 23
