Epilogue
Quinn parked the truck against a lodgepole pine, looking dashing in a black shirt and faded jeans. Maybe not dashing, but definitely handsome and stronger than the mountains around them.
“My stomach is in knots.” Juliet smoothed down her skirt.
He glanced toward Loni and Tom’s sprawling ranch house. “Either I won or I lost and will run for sheriff next time. If I lost, I wouldn’t mind working the ranch a little harder. The guys seem to be slacking a bit.”
Juliet smiled. “You’re overbearing.”
His cheek creased. “So you’ve told me.”
“Thank you for helping me with the DEA.” She’d gotten immunity for anything she might have done and had supplied affidavits against Freddy and Luis. Freddy had made a deal to testify against Luis in exchange for a lenient sentence. Luis had pled out since the evidence was so strong.
The criminal issue was over .
Unfortunately, maybe Quinn’s career was, too.
He slid from the driver’s seat and crossed around to open her door. After assisting her to the ground, he shut the door. “I thought this would be a nice place to chat.”
She wobbled in her new boots. “Chat? Are you stalling, Sheriff? Let’s go inside to the party and see if you’ve been reelected or not.”
“Yes, chat.” He shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “My family means a lot to me and will always be in my business and in my life.”
“Okay,” she said.
“So will the town, the reservation, and the entire county.” He tugged on his already open collar. “You need to understand my life.”
Where in the world was he going with all of this? Perhaps he felt more nervous about the election than he’d let on, but he wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t know. Of course his family and the town would always be a part of him. “I do understand.”
“Good.” He breathed out, relief lightening his eyes. “In that case”— he dropped to one knee and yanked a small box out of his pocket— “will you marry me?”
The world stopped spinning. Completely stopped. Nothing moved, nothing breathed. Juliet froze, her mind blank. Her knees quivered.
Quinn opened the box to reveal a spectacular square diamond surrounded by intricate Celtic knots—all in platinum. It was the most beautiful ring she could’ve ever imagined, offered by the most amazing man on the planet.
Her breath whooshed out. Birds sprang to a loud chirping. The wind rustled around them. Joy filled her so completely she swayed. “Yes.”
Relief filled his eyes followed by a huge smile splitting his face. “Yes.” He slid the ring on her finger and stood, gathering her close for a kiss that started sweet and ended deep.
A roaring filled the early evening. They broke apart to find his family, deputies, and half the town spilling onto the porch.
“Woohoo.” Loni clapped her hands. “Get out the posters.”
Several ‘Congratulations on Your Engagement’ posters and banners instantly were taped along the house by many pairs of willing hands.
“How did you know?” Quinn drew Juliet closer to the crowd.
Leila shook her head. “Uncle Quinn. Just ‘cause you bought the ring in Billings don’t mean we don’t know people there.” She smiled, revealing a gap in her front teeth. “Duh.”
“Yeah, duh.” Jake reached out and shook his brother’s hand before enfolding Juliet in a hug. “Welcome to the family.”
Hugs, kisses, and congratulations surrounded them until everyone finally piled back inside. Quinn held Juliet’s hand, keeping her on the porch. “Life is going to get crazy, sweetheart. My job doesn’t have normal hours, and I’m involved in more than just keeping order.”
She smiled, running a reassuring hand down his arm to gaze up at his dark eyes. “I know, and I like being part of the community. Besides, I still get free rent at the gallery, right?” Her lips curved as amusement filtered through her. She was already planning another art showing for Sophie.
He chuckled. “Well, how about I let you earn free rent?”
“Hmmm. Sounds kinky.” Turned out Juliet liked kinky. Who knew ?
“You know the whole pretending-to-date plan was a setup to get you right where I wanted you?” He brushed a kiss across her nose.
“Maybe you ended up right where I wanted you.” She levered up on her toes and slid her lips along his. “You’re everything I could ever want.”
Quinn tucked her closer and took over the kiss, going deep. They both breathed heavily when he released her.
Jake poked his head outside. “Preliminary numbers are in. Looks like you’re the sheriff again.” He turned back toward the party. “Damn it, Colton. That was my plate of nachos.” He disappeared from sight.
Quinn tangled his fingers with Juliet’s. “Well, sweetheart? Welcome to chaos.”
She grinned and walked with him into the family home and into a chaos where she belonged. “I like it here.”
“Good thing.” His hold tightened. “I love you, Juliet.”
She leaned into his strength. “I love you, too.” There would be no more running. She’d finally found her home.
If you liked Quinn’s story, read Colton’s story next in Rising Assets . Here’s a quick excerpt:
"She can’t be working here. No way.” Colton Freeze leaned forward in his chair and slid his nearly empty beer on the battered wooden table. A jukebox belted out a Garth Brooks melody, peanut shells lined the floor, and longnecks took residence on almost every table in the bar. Unfortunately, the sense of home failed to relax him.
"I’m only telling you what Mrs. Nelson said at the bank." His friend, Hawk, turned toward the long, oak bar. "If she is working here, I wish she’d show up so I can go home to bed.”
“Soon.” Colton shook his head. “There is no way Melanie works at the coffee place in the morning, her ranch all day, and Adam's bar at night.” She hadn’t bothered to tell him. He'd been overseas finishing his securities degree, and nobody had thought to tell him his best friend was working herself to death? A fear he hadn’t experienced in over ten years, when she’d become ill with pneumonia, slammed him between the eyes, nearly bringing on a migraine. He shoved the sensation away.
"I didn't know, or I would’ve called." Hawk gazed thoughtfully across the smoky room, his odd green eyes narrowed.
"You've only been home a day." Colt frowned. He cocked his head as the bartender called into the kitchen with a, “Hi, Mel.”
Unbelievable. She was working at the bar. Colton steeled his shoulders and schooled his face into a pleasant expression. If he yelled at her right off the bat, she wouldn’t talk to him, and that would get him nowhere.
He needed to speak with her. While they’d grown apart a little bit during their teenage years, when they’d moved on into the world, they’d kept in touch as he attended school. After her grandfather had died two years ago, they’d reconnected, and Colton had made sure to call, text, and email while he studied.
After a short time, he couldn’t sleep without talking to her and sharing his day. Maybe he should’ve been home instead of pursuing knowledge.
As his best friend, she was needed. He’d almost lost her once to the pneumonia, and he’d never allow himself to feel such fear again. She’d been what? Maybe twelve years old? From that day, he and Hawk had always made sure she had a coat nearby, although she hadn’t gotten sick again. Now his gut churned that she hadn’t shared her problems with him. “Where in the world is she?” he muttered.
She emerged from the kitchen and stepped out from behind the bar. Colton straightened in his chair. “What the hell?”
Hawk emitted a slow whistle. “Wow.”
Yeah, wow. Melanie’s customary outfit of faded jeans, scuffed boots, and farm perfect T-shirt was absent for the night. “Adam must have made her wear the outfit.” Son of a bitch. He’d kill the bar owner.
Hawk leaned forward, elbows on the table. “She looks good.”
She looked better than good, and shock sprang Colt’s cock into action. A tight tank top showed off perfect breasts, while a skirt curved along her butt to stop a couple of inches away. Long, lean legs led down to high-heeled boots. She was a wet dream come true.
Melanie wobbled a full tray of drinks to deliver to a table of rowdy farmers.
"Maybe the medical bills from her grandpop's fight with cancer added up, and she needed the extra money?" Hawk rolled his shoulder and finished his beer.
Colton exhaled but couldn’t look away from the sexy brunette. Sexy? Jesus. It was just the shock of the new look. She was still Mel, still his best friend. "Now I need to worry about both of you.”
Hawk sighed. "Tell me you didn't ask me out for a beer my first night home to lecture me."
Colton turned toward his oldest friend. Lines of exhaustion fanned out from Hawk's eyes, and a dark purple bruise mottled his left cheekbone. He was usually battered when he returned home from active duty, but this time a hardness had entered Hawk's eyes. Now wasn’t the moment to bug him, however. Colton shrugged. "Nope. Just wanted to catch up. I'll push you tomorrow on leaving the SEALs."
"Fair enough." Hawk took a deep swallow of his beer as his gaze remained on Melanie. "I'm glad you called. It appears as if things might get interesting tonight."
Doubtful. Colton turned his attention back to the woman who hadn't trusted him enough to let him know she was in trouble. Something in his chest ached, and he shoved the irritant aside with anger. While he was known for a slow-to-burn temper, especially in comparison with his two older brothers, when he exploded, it was legendary.
There would be no temper tonight. First, he had to figure out what was going on, and then he had to solve the issue. Logically and with a good plan. When Mel glanced his way, he lifted his empty glass.
She hitched around full tables to reach him. "Why did you cut your hair?" Her face was pale as she tried to tug her skirt down.
He knew she wouldn’t be comfortable half nude in public. "When did you start waitressing in a fucking bar?" The words slipped out before he could stop them.
"Smooth," Hawk muttered into his beer.
Melanie arched a delicate eyebrow and released the bottom of the skirt. "Last I checked, my grandfather was dead and you weren't my keeper. Do you want another beer or not?" The tray hitched against her hip—a hip that wasn't nearly as curvy as it had been the previous year. She'd lost weight.
Even so, he wanted to grab that hip and... "What time do you get off?" he asked.
A dimple twinkled in her cheek. "It depends who I take home with me."
He couldn't help but grin back. "You are such a big talker."
"I know." She shoved curly brown hair away from her face. Hair wild and free. "Why are you asking? Think you'll need a ride home?"
"I'm taking you home, and we're talking about your three jobs." He tried to smooth his voice into charming mode, but the order emerged with bite.
"The last time you tried to boss me around, I hit you in the face and you cried for an hour." She nodded at a guy waving for a drink from a table on the other side of the dance floor.
Colton glared at the guy. "I did not cry."
"Did too," Hawk whispered.
Colton shot a look at his buddy before focusing back on Mel. He'd been seven years old, and she'd almost broken his nose. "My eyes watered from the punch. That wasn't crying." They'd been having the argument for nearly two decades, and the woman never let up. "You've cried on my shoulder many a time."
She reached for his glass. "That's because men are assholes, and you have great shoulders."
Every boy or man who'd ever hurt her had ended up bashed and bloody afterward because either he or Hawk had made sure of it. "You're right on both counts. Which begs the question, if you're in trouble, why aren't you crying on my shoulder now?"
Sadness filtered through her deep eyes. "You're my friend, not my knight. It's time I stood on my own two feet."
He wanted to be her knight, because if anybody deserved protection, it was Melanie. "I'm mad at you."
"I know." She smacked his shoulder. "You'll get over it. You always do."
Was it his imagination, or did regret tinge her words? He tilted his head and studied her.
She smiled at Hawk. "I’m glad you’re home. You staying this time?"
Hawk lifted a shoulder. "We'll see. It's nice to be among friends, I can tell you that."
Mel fingered Colton's short hair, returning her attention to him. "Why did you cut it?" she asked again.
That one touch slid down his spine and sparked his balls on fire. What in the hellfire was wrong with him? He shifted his weight. "I thought it was time for a more mature look since I'm taking over at the office." Of course, last time he'd grappled at the gym, his opponent had gotten a good hold on Colton's hair. At that point, a clipping had become inevitable.
Mel smiled. "You do look all grown up, Colt Freeze."
He'd love to show her just how grown up. At the odd thought, he mentally shook himself. Friend zone. Definite friend zone. That was it. "Part of being a grown-up is asking for help."
She rolled her eyes. "I'll be back with another beer." Turning on a too-high heel, she sauntered toward the back corner.
Colt's gaze dropped to her ass. The flimsy skirt hugged her flesh in a way that heated his blood. While Mel was small, she had always been curvy. More than once, he'd wondered.
For years he'd gone for wild girls...fun, crazy, and not looking for forever. During his life, he'd avoided anything but friendship with Melanie, who was a keeper. A good girl, sharp as a blade, and kindhearted.
Hawk cleared his throat.
"What?" Colton asked.
"You're looking at Mel's butt." Hawk set down his beer. "How long have I been out of town, anyway? Has something changed?"
Colton shoved down irritation. "No. Besides, what's wrong with Mel's butt?"
"Nothing. In the world of butts, it's phenomenal." Hawk leaned to get a better view. "Just the right amount of muscle and softness. In fact?—"
"Shut up." Colton jabbed his friend in the arm. Hard. "Stop looking at her ass."
Hawk chuckled. "If you're finally going to make a move, let me know. I have a hundred bucks entered in the town pool."
Colton's ears began to burn. "Town pool?"
"Yep. The exact date you and Melanie finally make a go of it." Hawk pushed back his chair. "Now that you're home, get ready for some meddling."
"Mel and I are just friends." He'd kill himself if he ever hurt her. In fact, he beat the crap out of her first boyfriend in high school because the prick had cheated on her. So the fact that she had an ass that made Colton's hands itch to take a hold of was something he'd ignore. Again.
"I may stay home for a while, because this is going to be fun." Hawk stood. "Mind if I head out? I need sleep."
Colton shook his head. "No problem." Hawk did require sleep if he was thinking Colton and Mel could be anything more than friends. The three of them needed each other, and things had to stay the same. "I'll see you at your southern pasture at dawn. The order of twine finally came in earlier."
"Can't wait." Hawk turned and headed out of the bar, seemingly oblivious to the several pairs of female eyes tracking his progress.
A voluptuous pair of breasts crossed Colton's vision before a woman plunked down in Hawk's vacated seat. "Well, if it isn't Colton Freeze," Joan Daniels said before sliding her almost empty wineglass onto the table.
"Hi, Joan." Colton forced his gaze to her heavily made up eyes and away from the twins being shoved up by a bra worth twice whatever the woman had paid for it. "How are you?"
Joan pouted out red lips. "Almost empty."
"We'll have to get you another." Colton slid a polite smile on his face. While he may be single and definitely horny, he was far from stupid. The four times divorced cougar leaning toward him represented a complication he neither needed nor wanted. Talk about not fitting into his plans. "Are you out by yourself tonight?"
"Yes." She clasped her hands on the table and shoved her breasts together in a move as old as time. "How about you since Hawk took off?"
"I'm waiting until Melanie is off shift." It wasn't the first time he'd used his friendship with Mel as an excuse, and it probably wouldn't be the last.
Joan sniffed. "Why? She's still dating the oldest Milton son from Billings, right? The banker?"
Colton lifted a shoulder. If Mel was still dating the banker, it was the longest relationship she'd ever had. The idea shot a hard rock into his gut, one he'd have to figure out later. His unease was probably due to the fact that any banker wearing three-piece suits and allowing his woman to work three jobs wasn't good enough for Melanie. Though using the word allow around her would end in a broken nose. Colton smiled at the thought.
Melanie slid a beer in front of him and leaned over to pour wine into Joan's glass.
Joan narrowed hard eyes. "How did you know what kind of wine I want?"
Melanie recorked the bottle. "You're drinking red. This is our red."
Colton bit back a grin. Adam's wasn't known for a fine wine selection, but beer was another matter. "Did you bring me a nice beer?" He glanced closer at the thick brew. "Looks hearty."
"Suck it up and try the new beer, wimp." Mel nudged his shoulder.
Joan leaned closer to Colt. "We were discussing you and Brian Milton."
Melanie eyed Colton. "Is that a fact?"
The tone of voice held warning and had the unfortunate result of zipping straight to Colton's groin. He felt like a randy teenager all of a sudden, and enough was enough. "I wasn't." If all else failed, throw the cougar under the bus. "Joan brought up Milton."
"Why?" Melanie turned her formidable focus onto Joan.
"Curiosity." Joan's caps sparkled even in the dim light. "You've been dating for quite a while. Is it serious?"
"It's personal." Melanie dropped a couple of beer napkins on the table. "I have a ride home, Colton."
"Yeah. Me." He took his drink and gave her his hardest look—one that wouldn't faze her a bit. "Either agree, or there's gonna be a memorable scene in the parking lot when I toss your butt in my truck."
Sparks flashed in Melanie's eyes. She leaned in, and the scent of lilacs and woman almost dropped him to his knees. "Threaten me again, Freeze, and I'll make you cry for hours."
He'd never been able to refuse a challenge, so he turned his head until their lips hovered centimeters apart, his gaze piercing hers. "Sounds like a date."