“At finding her?”
“No. You’ll find her. Good luck keeping her.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Her teeth were chattering so loudly Ruin should be able to hear them. If he even was looking for her. She wrapped her arms around her waist as she got to her feet. The snow was falling so fast it’d filled in her footprints. Which direction had she come from? She couldn’t even figure out that much.
Why had she run out here? What was she doing? This was Ruin. He was her best friend. And Phillip had spoken to him, trusted him to watch over her. Her own brother had picked Ruin to watch over her and she’d just run blindly into a snowstorm.
“Phoebe!” Ruin called in the distance.
“I’m here!” She stayed where she was, stomping her feet in place. “Ruin!” She waited and then called again, “Ruin!”
Warm arms encircled her from behind in a hug. “Are you okay? Can you walk?”
She turned in his arms. “Yes, but I’m cold,” she shivered out.
He led her back to the cabin, picking her up and carrying her when she stumbled over her too cold feet. Phoebe moaned in relief when they entered the warm cabin. He hugged her tight to his chest and sat down in front of the fire.
“I shouldn’t have left. That was stupid,” she whispered.
“Shhh. It’s fine. You’re back and it’s fine.”
Looking over his shoulder, Phoebe gasped. “Ruin! It’s after midnight. And we’re both okay.”
Ruin’s smile was lopsided. “My father stopped by.” He reached down and pulled her wishbone necklace from his pocket. “He said to give you this and tell you he was saving up your wishes for something big.”
“My necklace!” She snatched it from his hands. “I took it off before my shower and left it in the soap dish.” Her cold fingers were too stiff to work the clasp so she wrapped her fist around it and tucked herself close to Ruin again with the necklace between them. “So, we’re both still here because I wished for you?”
Ruin hugged her. “Is that what you wished for?”
She nodded.
“Would you still wish for that?”
She nodded again.
Apparently, that wasn’t good enough because he tipped back and met her gaze.
“Yes.” She swallowed. “I was mad and shocked. But Phillip was in pain and he knew you were coming and…” She sniffed back tears. “I know you, Ruin, and I know Phillip. And he asked you to be my friend. It’s okay. I might still freak out this time of year, though and be upset about you doing your... thing.”
“Phoebe, I’m not doing that anymore, I promise. No more.”
“No more?”
He smiled. “You wished for me and you got me. Just me. No powers.”
“Powers schmowers.” She tucked her head under his chin. “So, does this mean you’re mortal?” Had he really traded in his immortality to be with her?
“Yes.”
“Mmm.” She tightened her arms around him as a hum of excitement and happiness went through her. If you were going to get one wish in your life, this was the one to get. She stilled. Pulling back, she asked, “How do you feel about that?”
“Phoebe.” He put his finger below her chin and tilted her face up. “I got my wish too. You. Me. Growing old together. I won’t be your boy toy.”
She smiled. “Well, that’s good—though I’ve always wanted a boy toy. When you’re saying ‘growing old together’ you mean as more than just friends, right?” He hadn’t kissed her since they’d gotten back.
He frowned at her. “I mean best friends, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, father, mother, and eventually grandfather and grandmother. We’re going to be everything with each other and fill your life with family. I love you. My life was empty without you too. I need you to fill it up.” He clenched his jaw and asked, “Do you forgive me?”
Swallowing back emotion, she nodded. “And I love you too.”
He grinned. Getting to his feet with her still in his arms, he said, “C’mon. Let’s go get you warm.” He kissed her, nudging her mouth open with his lips to deepen the kiss.
Her back bumped against the doorframe as he tried to go through. “Ow,” she said against his lips, laughing.
He murmured a quick “sorry” but didn’t stop kissing her.
She pulled back. “What happened to going slow?” Her heart was pounding and her head was spinning. She loved this man. She loved him enough to forgo breathing in order to keep kissing him. It definitely seemed that Operation Seduce Ruin was a success. What she saw in his eyes said he was good and seduced. Ruin was hers.
He grinned and brushed a kiss against her mouth as he cleared the doorway. “I’m mortal now. Life’s too short to waste time.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My son was born about a month after my grandfather passed on. From the moment my baby opened his eyes, I saw a history there. Everyone said he had old eyes. Even though my grandfather wasn’t a blood relation, I swore I saw something of him in my son, and I was comforted. Over a decade later, I’ve come to believe that we’re all a composite of the influences of others—especially those we loved and we can’t help but pass some of that on. In that way, maybe we’re all immortals. I’m thankful for the time and love of everyone who’ve been a part of making me into me.
Special thanks to my immediate family who’ve put up with a lot of stress with patience and understanding. I have the greatest family. Thank you for your interest in what I’m doing just as much as how I’m doing. Your support means everything to me.
Thank you to Trysh and Cori at P & K for bringing these characters to life and seeing the potential in these books. You guys are fabulous.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After a childhood spent wandering as a military brat, Wendy Sparrow found her home in Washington State. Her days involve convincing her two kids she knows how to properly parent and her nights showing her husband all the cool things romance authors know… or goofing around online… or reading, but mostly the first thing.
She’s active in OCD and autism communities and writes on her blog to support awareness in both. With her whole heart, Wendy believes everyone deserves a happily-ever-after. If she's not writing or wrangling kids, she's on Twitter, @WendySparrow, where she'll chat with anyone about anything.
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Table of Contents
STEALING TIME
TAKING TIME
KEEPING TIME
Servants of Fate Page 31
